Valley Virginian

By J. D. Blackwell

The red-cross flag is set in night--
Its brief career is o'er;
And Jackson's sword that flashed in fight
Shall gleam in war no more.
His soul has bade the world farewell,
But long shall page of history tell,
Of each eventful day;
When in the light of morn displayed,
The banner of Stonewall's brigade
Waved in its proud array.

And now the stranger's musing eye,
Sees on each well fought field,
Where Jackson's men knew how to die,
But knew not how to yield;
The verdant grass luxuriant waves
In freshness o'er the soldiers' graves,
And vernal flowrets gay,
By nature's hand profusely shed,
Deck where the gallant heroes bled,
In Stonewall Jackson's way.

Oh, gentle be each warrior's sleep;
And hallowed be his rest,
Where softest dews of evening weep
O'er every dauntless breast.
Each sweet toned warbler carols there
A requiem on the stilly air,
At morn and close of day;
And [unclear] grandsires come to tell
Their children's sons of those that fell
In Stonewall Jackson's way.

Why is ex-President Davis not released on his parole? Does not President Johnson know that his illustrious prisoner's word would bind him more securely than his prison walls and sentinels, to appear at any place or at any time to answer any charges which might be brought against him? For more than a year--a long dreary year--this great man has been punished; deprived of God's blessings of light, air and liberty; of communion with those nearest and dearest to him, and for what? Certainly not for any crime he has committed, for had he been guilty of any of the base acts which have been charged against him by his enemies; surely in this long time the bloody minded radical majority in Congress, would have easily overcome all obstacles to a trial, and satiated their vengeance by bringing him to an ignominious death. Every man in this country is presumed innocent until after a fair trial he is proven guilty, and when a trial cannot be had it is usual to release the accused on sufficient bail, until such time as he can be brought to trial. Such is the course in ordinary cases, and in this case where the head of a once mighty Confederacy of Sovereign States, is the subject of trial, why is it that our Government shows so little magnanimity? Why if Jefferson Davis cannot be liberated, as others on his parole, is he not released upon bail? Why do not the eleven Sovereign States, which placed him at their head, offer through their Governors and Legislatures to be his bail--pledging "their lives, their property and their sacred honor," for his appearance to answer all and every charge which may be brought against him. Should not the people in every State hold primary assemblies and offer the same? Every effort should be used to wipe off this disgrace to the country, this violation of the laws and Constitution, in keeping this great and unfortunate man in perpetual imprisonment without a trial.

Great interest has been taken in "reconstruction," and President Johnson deserves the gratitude of the South for the brave stand he has taken for the Constitution and the right. Our people spare no effort, hold meetings, fill columns of newspapers on reconstruction and the reconstruction committee, negro suffrage, civil rights bills, Freedman's Bureau, et cetra; all of which is natural and right, but the greatest wrong inflicted on the Southern people--in the continued martyrdom of their honored and beloved Chieftain--excites but little comment in comparison. While we are attending to other matters he lies languishing in a loathsome prison.

We understand a terrible riot occurred at Falmouth, Stafford county, on the 29th ult., between the negroes and the whites, in which fifteen negroes were killed outright and a large number wounded.

One white man is reported mortally wounded and others slightly.

The affair has created the most intense excitement.

Owing to the lateness of the hour, we are unable to ascertain, before going to press, the cause which led to the disturbances--but presume it the workings of the "Civil Rights Bill."

We warn our people to be prepared for each and every emergency. The negroes, lured on to their own destruction, by the low, mean and cowardly white wretches, we have among us; will in all probability, seek supremacy in our midst.

For the Virginian

We were pleased to observe, on a recent trip down the Valley, the spirit of industry manifested by each and every farmer. They have been, and are still at work in earnest in "reconstructing" their farms. As a general thing, we believe they have put out a large crop of corn as was customary before the war. The wheat crop looks very promising, and we have no doubt it will make an average crop.

We passed a fortnight in Mt. Jackson, (a place noted for its pretty women,) and whilst there, visited the Soldier's Cemetery, North of the village, and were much pleased to see, that those who survived the ordeal which we have just past through, still cherish the kindest remembrance of the last resting place of our honored dead.

They sleep, but their deeds of devotion and heroism, will ever live in the hearts of their countrymen.

The Cemetery has been enclosed with a beautiful fence, leaving a space of twenty feet square in front, where it is the intention of the Committee to erect a suitable monument to their memory.

The gentlemen superintending the work, (T. H. Harris, Walton Farra and F. S. Pennybacker,) deserve much praise for their untiring energy. They were in "Stonewall" Jackson's foot Cavalry, where they learned, "where there was a will there was a way."

We believe it is the intention of the ladies, to observe annually, the 2nd day of May, to decorate the graves of our departed comrades, with flowers.

The "Virginian" is quite a favorite with the people, and is looked for with much interest. More Anon. R.