Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-04-23
Senator Wilson in Richmond.

R1C,!sioND, VA, April p --Serator Wilson
addressed crowd of about six thousand per-
sons, from the Capitol steps, this afternoon.
Nearly all those present were cOorrd, though
all classes of whites were represented. He
WAS introduced by Governor Peirpoint and
AFTER aludiug 70 the tact that he visited Rich.
nond unnn Invitations from several mem orrs
of the Legl- ature, be proceeded 10 give it
history Of The reconstruction BILL He then
rrcted the events ut the close of the war, to
show that President Johuson's policy: ad"p pied
against be will OF the nation, had caused more
unhappiness than the work Of any other one
man in America. It again excited men who
bad been more than! willing to accept the terms
of Congress- The .reconstruc!!on bill was not
passed to humiliate the South, tut to meet the
nerds Of the whole country.
The question now before the Southern Starea
s, whether they will elect mon to State offices
and Congress who favor an honest acceptance
Of the policy Of the nation, or men who still
mourn over the ''loSt cause, and who hope
something may turn UP to overthrow that
po!icy and restore old ideas and old measures
Patriotism demands that the latter class shall
never be permitted 70 participate IN the man
agement Of the State or General Government
The apoatacy OF Andrew johnson had made a
Republican triumph at the next Presidential
election certain.
The speaker waited all classes Of men, the
c0lcred, the white, the loyal, and those whs
to stand together on the national platform Of
the Republican party. As for the coorcd vote
Of Virginia he had no fear of it, being con
troIicd by the accessionists. He appealed to
the old Wings Of Virginia, the followers Of
Henry Clay, who declared that "slavery vas
q prievous wrong that no contingency could
set RIGHT" to seize the occasion, and unite
their fortunes with the Republican party
Now was their day and hour to carry Virginia
by an overwhelming majority to that class who
are cisfranchised Tor participating in the re-
bc!Iion. He would say that by speaking and
working for the national policy they would
show their countrymcn that the disabilities
now imposed Oh them ought to be removed,
and country that had proved its generosity
would not forget them. O.
Governor Peirpoot, after Mr.. Wilson had
concluded made brief speech. advising the
colorei people to work and make the old State
bloom again.
Messrs. Hunnicutt and Tucker, followed in
short addresses. The former announced his
intention Of appealing Immediately to the
military tribunals against the attacks Of the
Richmond press.-Cor. Of ASs0ciated Prcss.
SOUTHERN RAILROAD INDEBTEDNESS. -
Acting Quartermaster General Rucker has is
sued an order reminding the officers ofthe de-
partment that large number of Southern and
Southwestern railroad companies are indebted
to the government for materials purchased on
credit BY the terms Of purchase the govern.
ment is to withhold payment Of all mail trans
portation dues to these roads, and apply the
same i'll extinguishment Of their debt. Orders
are issued accordingly. iodebted railroad CON-
panies are required to present their accounts to
the quartermaster charged with the collection
OF their debt, and 10 other officer will make
payment to indebted roads A full list OF the
railroads indebted to the government for
purchases of railroad property, includes the
Virginia and Tennessee, Wilmington aud
Weldon, Atlantic and North Carolina. West
ern North Carolina, Petersburg. Virginia
Central Orange and Alexandria, Alexandria
Loudoun and Hampshire and Manassas Gap
Railroad Companies.
The Grand Division of the Sons of Temper