Smyrna times., 1867-04-24
Senator Wilson in Virginia,

Senator Henry Wilson, the radical, is tray
cling through the South, making speeches to
the people. We give below Southern view
thereof, as found in the Baltimore Sun, a
strong anti-radical paper:
Richmond and Petersburg papers come to
us with pretty full accounts Of the incidents
attending the late visit of Senator Wilson, of
Massachusetts,, to those cities, and the REPORTS
Of his speech on Thursday night last to the
multitude, white and colored, at PETERSBURG.
In Richmond the Senator appears to have
moved about quietly, and wandering into the
State capitol alone, viewed such objects as in
terested him, and then, when retiring, met
Ex-Gov. Wise on the portico, and the two,
cordially saluting, stood there sometime in
friendly conversation. He was present and
looked on at the freedmen's celebration in
Richmond of emancipation, but declined to
make any speech, as he wished them and thier
friends there to carry out the matter in their
own way. AT Petersburg he was introduced
by the mayor, who had been requested to do it,
and his audience was large and attentive. The
coiored people were more numerously repre-
sented than the whites, but among the latter
were some OF the most substantial citizens of
the city. The speech was nuch in keeping
with the general efforts of Mr.. Wilson in the
Senate, and OF course praised the republican
party and denounced the democracy. In the
outset, however, he declared the late war was
unavoidable, and the North and South were
both responsible for it, both were alike guilty
the cause being human SLdvery; but the con-
test was ended, and he did not wish to re-
proach the men of the South for the manner
In which they fought; they had met the North
on SIX hundred and twenty-five battle fields,
and had fought with heroic valor. He said
also, what every one may hope will prove true,
that in spite of the desolations of war, the peo.
pie of the North entertained no sentiment of
hostility or desire to degrade the humblest
man of the South-that they neither wanted
the lives, blood nor lands of the Southern peo-
ple-.that they fought for the liberty of the
lowly, and desired to lift men up, and not to
pull them down. He admitted that the poll
cy OF the war was changed after many disas-
ters, and that whereas it was waged in the be-
ginning simply for the restoration of the
Union, it was afterwards for the abolition Of
slavery, as the only means of success.
He thought the whites of the South to in
tolerant in their political views, and referred
to the liberation which is extended to religious
differences, and said it should be the same in
regard to politics. He informed his white aud.
itors that they had made great mistake in
appealing to Andrew johnson instead of the
REPUBLICAN leaders," and ignoring the fact
that the only thing the South has asked Of
| President johnson is that the constitution
should be respected) he quoted from Gen
Grant the advice he is reported to have giyer
Southern man, "go and see the republican
leaders in Congress, ttey haze the pO,Cer noto.
He also assured those who were now LOOKING
to the Supreme Court that they would be dis
appointed there. But Mr. Wilson might a!
we'll have admitted that it was another change
OF policy by his party-after the South haC
shown its readiness to comply with first re
quirements-that led to the contention will
the President. He went ON to say that tht
intention Of Congress had been to settle the
controversy ON a permanent and solid basis
where it would rest forever; and, advising the
adoption of the constitutional amendment, anC
explaining its provisions, he said he trusted
that the disabilities which it inflicted upor
certain classes would disappear in few
months under the power of Congress to repea
by two-thirds vote. He did not want TO set
any individual, however he had acted, disfran
chised, humiliatAl or degraded: Intelligence
was coming up Nm all parts that the people
will accent the reconstruction bill, and he be-
lieved by the 4th of March next the ten exclu
ded States will be represented in Congress
He advised, however, only the election of thos
who could take the test oath. He admonishet
the colored people as to the value of the ballot
to 90 for schools and churches, to have n,
prejudices on account of the memories of oil
times, to be just to all, and not to use intoxi
eating liquors and to all added general advic
to recognize the new rights of the negro, t.
develop the resources of old Virginia, build VI
manufactures, cut up the great plantation
into small farms, and in the course of gener
alton Virginia would be one of the most opu
lent and prosperous States Of the Union
Upon the whole, Mr.. Wilson's speech is re
garded as respectful, and seems to have bee
: well received in consequence. In conclusion
he said:
Il / thank you for your kind attention, you
warm and generous greeting. / said what
thought as freely as If were at my own door
, and shall return to my home with brighte
, hopes OF my country, and shall ask the blessin
Of God on you all,