Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-13
FROM RICHMOND.
From the Richmond Whig, April Ill
The ReconStruction Question

The Reconstructisn Question.
The recent interview between the President
Of peace in all the States, and not to Virginia
alone, as might be inferred from the brief no.
uce uce OF the the consultation OF citizens" pub
nsneo IN the Wing Of Saturday. Whilst every
one will rejoice at the restoration OF peace and
prosperity in all the States, we cannot refrain
LION mon .,ie expression Of the hope that the public
Of Virginia in her ancient position In the sia.
terhood Of States will address themseiyes %
that business without unnecessary delay. Vir-
ginia was not consulted nor walled for vnsn
secession became the determined policy or the
'sCotton States and there is no sound reason
why SEQ. operation" with them, in accepting
Of ss ,Ss
way back to the Union, and present an exam
pie Of prompt action to the other States Of the
late 'Confederacy."
xhe Fredericksburg Railroad.
Over thousand laDorers are at work upon
the Aqua Greek end OF the Richmond, Pote-
mac, Fredericksburg, and Aqua Greek rail-
road; and it is expected that the trains will be
running through In less than three weeks.
The Central Railroad.
We Understand this railroad is to be put in
immediate repair to Staunton, and perhaps
further, ii the advance of the army in that
dire ection should Justify it. The road Is broken
in many places, and there are numerous bridges
to rebuild and repair
We are greved to learn OF the very serious
indisposition of Mrs. Gen. Robert E Lee, at
whiek has overtaken the Confederate arms has
unneryed the wife Of the great General quite,
and we do not wonder that her finely strung
nerves should give way in the struggle. Since
the occupation of Richmond, the Federal
authorities have acted with the most scrupu-
lous regard for the feelings Of Mrs. Gen. Lee.
AT hrst, colored guard was placed In front
Of the house on Franklin street, but upon it
being represented that the exhibition was, per.
haps, an insnlt TO the lady of the mansion, the
colored guard was Withdrawn and a white
guard substituted. We learned last evening
that the condition of Mrs. Lee was somewhat
easier, but the shock to her constitution has
of her recovery.
Many Of the merchants who closed up their
stores on evacuation morning, never to open
them again, are beginning to feel thrill of
business interest, and are here and there re-
suming business. Already some are beginning
to speculate upon the chances Of a trip to New
York, Philadelphia, or Baltimore, with a view
to laying in a stock OF goods for the spring and
summer trade.
The Review of Saturday.
Long accustomed as Confederate eyes have
been to the once all.pervading gray, we do not
believe that the sudden substitution OF blue as
the prevailing color is distasteful TO many OF
our citizens, thousands of whom looked On the
military spectacle OF Saturday, not as the dis
play of prowess on the part OF q triumphant
foe, but as an exhibition OF the military genius
and resources of the United States, which all
can again contemplate with pride.
None of the colored troops appeared on re-
view or parade on the occasion, but a separat
display OF them will probably take place be-
fore long.
One feature of the display was evident to
every observer, and that was the superior
drill, morale, and discipline manifested by the
men in their marching and soldierly bearing,
the perfect condition of their arms and equip
ments, FURNISHED to dazzling brightness, the
batteries drawn by we'll trained horses, fat and
sleek, and substantially caparisoned-all in
striking contrast to what the citizens have been
accustomed for the four years during which
Richmond was held by the Confederate army.
The reporter passed over the greater part of
the route of the parade, and did not witness or
hear of a single unpleasant incident to mar
the general harmonious character Of the day,
The citizens viewed the pageant with silent
interest from the sidewalks, doors and win
dows, and If they did not openly rejoice at the
appearance OF the old flag Of the "Union,''
there were no expressions that could be CON.
strued into derision or contempt. The soldiers,
on the other hand, abstained from those bois-
tereus shouts of exultation that might have
been expected, and marched orderly and quiet
1y, as though desirous Of abstaining from any
unnecessary demonstrations that might tend
to give offence to citizens. Altogether citizens
and soldiers have cause to congratulate them
selves on the result of the first review and
parade Of United States troops in the Capital
Of Virginia.