The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-11-25
LETTER FROM HON. P. G. VAN
WINKLE.

appointed to request Mr.. Van Wrinkle
to address the people upon the condi-
tioa of the country, and such questions
Of political and legislative character,
relating especially lowest Virginia, as
in his opinion, demanded special CON
sideration. Mr.. Van .Winkle, in con-
sequence of a bronchial affection, de-
clined to speak, but sent a letter to the
committee, which we find in the last
Parkersburg Gazette, and from which
We copy the following:
The armed rebellion has been mt
down by The strong hand of military
power, but 1t may be too soon to an
nounee that the Union is restored. at
least until the President shall-feel au-
thorized to proclaim that the state of
wal, n'whtch the country has been for
more than four years involved, is at an
end. We cannot congratulate our
selves that the Union is what It was
intended to be until the State Govern
ments, overthrown by those engaged
in the rebellion, are reinstated, and re-
sumo their former powers and authori-
ty. Indeed, the GUnionL once had
Will not be practically restored until
the inhabitants of its various sections
again regard each other, with the feel
ings which become the citizens of
common country. How nearly this
result has been obtained am unable
to say; but L sincerely trust that the
Government{will be able to report that
greater progress has been made in that
direction than some are willing to be-
lieve, and that the interchange of in
formation from every portion of the
country, attendant upon the assembling
of Congress, will strengthen the hopes
of every true lover of the Union. -
Thepolicy adopted by President John
son, in the very difficult circumstances
in which he has been placed, meets my
cordial appreciation, 1Leniency to the
offending, SO far as compatible with
the public Safety rather than inCiis-
criminate severity, becomes.a powerful
and magnanimous nation. 1 am sure
that the President truly interprets the
sentiment of the people, by acting on
the conviction that they are anxious to
forgive; and hardly less certain that
the great body of those who have been
active in the rebellion, If no humiliat-
ing terms are imposed on them, will
hasten to renew their patriotism when
the modification of defeat has passed
away. If unity of feeling, rather than
written parchment, heretofore made
us one people, our duty is plain before
us, namely, to adopt such measures as
tend to its restoration, and to discard
everything which has even the appear
ance of vindietiveness. pro F,.st 55It
To spare further remarks on this and
kindred subjects here, Isubjoin some
extracts from a speech delivered by me,
in the Senate, in April, 1854. anticipat-
ing the close of the war, and, as far as
i asable, the Questions that must there
arise u at that time said, in these
words, when the administration coun-
tenanced the efforts to reorganize the
government of Virginia, there being
l1oT No
that State, 1t acted strictly within the
line of its duty. i say further, TINT
what was done in Virginia furnishes a
precedent which may be properly fol-
lowed, and discloses a principle which
cannot; think, be successfully contro-
verted. The latter was asserted by a
leading member of the reorGanizinp
convention of that State In these words:
IF there is but single loyal man in
the State OF. Virginia, he. is5ithe State oi
Virginia" Alter the form but not the
substance, and say the loyal citizeus of
State constitute the State, and few
will have the hardihood to deny it. ~,
]. assert, then. that whether the armed
forces of the United States are now
waging, war, within certain States to put
down resistance to the laws, to suppress
instruction, or to redeem the national
pledge, to guaranty to each State u
government republican in form, their
snSS ,,oI;tinai loS De .conq4est OF
fHIyeC i-ecbtSn1za5 az q StSta ~
Union TfSav 'tv;ii s;nrsIE- 'L.,,oi IA jte
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and the blessings of thousands now
suffering Mom the tyranny of those
who have .usurped the governments OF
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