The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-06-19

Reconstruction in Virginia.
Correspondence Of North american and U. s.
Gazette.
RICHMOND, June Il.
If any doubt existed as to the deci-
sion of the people of Virginia upon the
question of reconstruction under the
recent act of Congress, that doubt is
now removed through the instrumen-
tality OF the Union League of Philadel-
phia. The differences between the Re-
publican leaders of the State, which
commenced with the call of the Con-
vention held on the 18th of April last,
had become so serious as TO cause
many of our loyal citizens to appre-
bend that no better result could be
reached than the division of the peo-
pie into the white party and the black
party, a result which would have led
almost inevitable to a war of races in
the South. The Union League of Phil
adelphia, whose influence is by no
means local, but extends wherever the
true Union sentiment exists In the
South, took the matter In hand, and in
yitinG the cooperation of the League
OF New York and the Reconstruction
Committee of Massachusetts, has ac-
complished what seemed to be the hope
/ less task of reconcilting those differ
ences and consolidating the Union sem
4 timent of the State.
B a
( these organizations visited Richmond
I last week. 1t was compose of Charles
! Gibbons and George II. Boxer, of the
| Philadelphia League; John Jay; Col.
| Soyes, Col. Van Buren, and Mr.. Hol-
brook, of the New York League, and
Slack, Morse, Bird, Bond and Cool
| Idge, OF Massachusetts. These gentle
men arrived in Richmond on the 18th
| lust, and organized by the election OF
Mr.. Gibbons as their Chairman. They
met at the Governors house the sane
evening some fifty gentlemen, repre-
senIing the hostile divisions, from diff
ferent sections of the State. Among
those present were Governor Peirpoint,
Mr.. Hawxhurst, of Alexandra, Hon.
]. Minor Bolts, Mr.. Wardwell, Mr..
Forbes, of Buckingham, Mr.. Chandler,
of Norfolk, Mr.. Buckley, Col. Lewis, OF
Rockingham, Judge Underwood, Mr..
Hunuicutt, and Mr.. Stearns. This
meeting was organized by calling Mr..
Jaw, OF New York, to the chair, who
opened the proceedings by brief and
| well.timed address.
Mr.. Gibbons followed, explaining the
object of the visit of himself and friends
to Virginia. They came as representa-
tives of powerful organizations, not
com posed of politicians, in the common
sense of the term, but of solid men, who
loved their country, who represented
the substantial interests of the great
cities in which they lived. and who had
higher aims than mere pecuniary ag-
grandisement. He said they came as
the friends of peace. His constituents
had heard OF the differences in Vir-
ginia existing among Union men with
| profound SORROW, and they hoped, for
the sake of the country, that they were
not irreconcilable. He pressed the i'm
portance of sustaining in good faith
what must now be considered as the
settled policy of Congress on the SUBJ
iect Of reconstruction. The blessings OF
peace could never he realized or the
prosperity of the country restored, un-
less the friends of the Union in the
South were themselves united. All the
1 material interests of the country de-
mandsd this, and it was necessary to
secure the reunion of the States and
the final adjustment of all differences
between the North and the South on the
basis OF liberty and justice, a consum-
nation which all good men must de-
sire.
A very animated discussion then
arose between the two parties, con-
Quoted on both sides with great earn
estness and ability, which continued
until two o'clock in the morning. Judge
Underwood, Mr.. Bolts, Mr.. Hunnicutt,
Mr.. Beckley, Mr.. Chandler. Governor
Peirpoint, Mr.. Hawxhurst, Mr.. Forbes
and others, participated.
Mr.. Van Buren,, of New York, also
spoke, and Mr.. Boxer in a few and i'm
pressive words, referred to the sad
spectacle which Yirginihns would pre-
sent to the world by these most unne-
cessary dissensions among themselves,
entirely personal in character, and
ending probably in the defeat of great
principles upon which they were all
agreed.
Finally a motion was made and car
ried unanimously, for the appoint
ment OF a committee of five persons by
each party to meet the Northern dele
CATION the next morning at the Ballard
House. The meeting took place at IL
o'clock, and after some discussion. a
proposition of settlement was made by
the chairman of the delegation, (Mr.
accepted by Mr.. Bolts, and promptly
adopted by both Earties, with great en-
thusiasm. Old animosities were for
gotten, everybody shook hands, and
the room was soon filled with Union
| men, rejoicing in the reconciliation of
| their differences and the assurance of
happier and more prosperous days for
old Virginia. In pursuance of the set
Element agreed upon, the Richmond
papers of to-day publish a call for a
general convention of unconditional
Union men, and members of the Re-
| publican party, to be held on the LIST of
August next, The call is signed by
several hundred of the most SUBJ
stantial and prominent citizens Of
Virginia.
This timely mission from the North,
as conceded on all hands, has accom-
| pltshed what otherwise could OF have
been; and you may now anticipate
with confidence the speedy return of
| Virginia to the halls OF Congress, as
Republican State.
1t is understood that General Scho-
field will appoint an early day in Sep
TENDER for the election.
ROCKINGHAM.