Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-04-25
The Virginia Hustings--Senator Will
son on the Stump.

RICHMOND. April Ex-senator Wilson spoke
at Orange Courthouse yesterday. He said
that after the close Of the war the North had
no ill-fee'ing for the South. He attributed all
the reconstruction to President johnson. and
said Mr.. Lincoln had prepared eight conditions
for the pardon Of rebels. all of which met Mr..
Wilson's approval Mr.. johnson prepared
fourteen. which were six too many. He Will
sonl had never favored the $4,000 clause, for
he wanted the South, except few prominent
rebels b be at liberty TO 90 TO work. The
speaker was opposed TO black mans party or
white mans party. He wanted rebels to
lay aside their decisions and join the repubf-
can party.
MOTOR j. Fl. Lee, State Senator from Orange,
replied to Wilson. He charged the introdus-
ton Of slavery npon the North, and said Lin
coin did not at first intend to iberate the
slaves. and that the Southern people were the
blacks best friends.
Mr.. Wilson replied that in year the North
would give the negroes suffrage. He said con-
6scation might follow if the reconstruction bill
was not accepted.
The effrontery of the last intimation of
Wilson, as to confscation, is altogether charac-
teristic. He is always impudent when he is
in a position to escape responsibility. He
doubtless expects 10 promote his Presidential
prospects by limiting to the negroes that there
is yet hope of getting lands without
money and without price
RICHMOND, April Ex-senator Wilson ad-
dressed a crowd Of about 5000 persons from
the Capitol steps this afternoon. Nearly all
those present were colored, though all classes Of
whites were represented. He was introduced
bv Governor Peirpont After alluding to the
| fact that he visited Richmond upon theinvita-
6oc of several members of both houses Of the
Legislature, he proceeded TO give a history Of
the reconstruction bill, and said that President
Johnson's policy had caused more unpappiness
than the work Of any other one man in Ameri-
ca. The reconstruction bill, he declared, was
not passed 10 humiiate the South, but to meet
the needs of the whole country.
The question now before the Southern States
is. whether they will elect men 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 pol
lev and restore old ideas and old measures.
Mr.. Wilson wanted all classes Of uen, the
colored. the white, the loyal, and those who
had abandoned the wicked heresy Of secession,
TO stand together on the national platform Of
! tho rsPnhlioao party. AZ for che 0UioIed vote
Of Virginia, be had no fears Of its being con-
trolled by the secessionists.
He appealed to the old wings Of Virginia
the followers of Henry Clay, who declared that
Slavery was wrong that no contingency
could make right" 70 seize the occasion and
unite their fortunes with the republican party.
Now, he said, was their day and hour to carry
| Virginia by an overwhelming majority.
To that class who are disfranchised for par
ticipating in rebellion he would say that by
speaking and working for the national policy
they would show their countrymen that the
disabilities now imposed upon them ought to
be removed
Governor Pierpoint after Wilson concluded,
made a brief speech, advising the colored peo-
/ pie TO work and make the old State bloom a
gain.
Messrs. Hunnicutt and Tucker followed in
short addresses. The former announced his
intention Of appealing Immediately to the mill
tary tribunal against the attacks Of the Rich
mond press.