The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-10-10
LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.

LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
Correspondence Of the Richmond piapatch
Political Absence OF Excitement" Evacua-
ton Men, Convention Candidat cs- Effect or
Election REIMBURSEMENT Beauregard.
PETERSBURG, October ., 1867.
AS far as outward appearances indicate,
there is little or no excitement in this
community on the subject Of politics.
Among the old voting population scarcely
any interest is taken in the approaching
election. No name has even been men
toned OF a Conservative candidate in con-
ncction with the Convention not meet
ing has been held, or III address made to
the people. By tacit consent the political
field has been rclinquishcd entirely to tho
Republicans and they, having no oppoSi-
ton, arc left to mature their plans without
disturbance or discussion.
While this is done without any object,
the effect may be to divide the Republic
can party, which might present united
front if there was anything like active OPP
position. 1t seems to be we'll understood
that there has been some disaGection ii
their ranks-to what extent is only known
to those who arc IN their secrets. Certain
it is TINT some prominent men have with
drawn from their organization. Interested
considerations have probably induced this
in some instances; for though every man,
white and black, has the privilege OF
voting, yet the patronage necessary to
success in business rests mostly with those
who do not graciously accept the present
order of things. AS this is nearly all the
power left to this claSs-that is, to deal
chiefly with those Of their own caStc-it is
very easy to cripple a man who makes
himself offensive by an active participa-
ton in Radical politics.
s3Following close on the heels Of the
evacuation Hence called evacuation
men "-several parties connected with the
Federal army immediately established
themselves in business, and by q prudent
course of conduct appeared to be doing
remarkably we'll. Several Of them are
here to the present day. \ few have left,
while others have failed and closed their
doors. But this is the risk of all who en-
gage in mercantile life. Some, however,
who were thought to be very moderate in
their politics, and who even spoke sympa-
thetically Of the South for q year or two,
having at length become prominent mem
bers Of the Republican party, have sur
fcred very much in their business. But
at best, politics is an Improbable trade,
speaking in the most general terms: fer
the rule is not restricted in its application
| to any particular party.
The Republican candidates for the Con-
| vention are Captain Platte (white) and
| George Morgan (colored). They are the
nominees Of the party. The former has
been here since the close Of the war, and
first did business as the keeper Of jar
rats Hotel. In that position lie Was very
popular, and had fine run Of custom. He
is gentleman Of easy manners, and will
probably command the full vote Of his
party. The nomination that gaze the
most dissatisfaction was that Of Morgan,
who is said to be the offspring of a white
father and an ludian mother. How The
| African element could have been thus
sighted it is not easy to tell; but he was
colored, and perhaps that was sufficient,
His qualifications, at any rate, are NOME
the less for his aboriginal instead OF Airi-
can descent. But in making these nomi-
nations it is difficult TO perceive any good
reason why our own men, born and reared
in our midst, should have been entirely
ovcrSlaughcd TO make wa for Il northern
white man and q Nottoway halCbrccd.
The claims OF such men as the Domains,
the Mallorys, the JacksonS, the Rancs,
and others, should, as one might suppose,
have had greater weight with the party.
They ire all honorable gentlemen, some
of them members Of the legal profession
of long standing; and their patriotism
would not have permitted them to decline
the nomination. In these run-mad times
| they might, and no doubt would have eX-
erciscd salutary influence in framing the
| organic law.
1t may We worthy of remark that the
news to-day from Pennsylvania and Ohio
has caused not q little modification, not to
say dismay, among the Republican lead
crs. They manifest the greatest reserve
in commenting upon it. What the moral
effect of these elections may be, cannot
we'll be anticipated; but it may be feared
that it is too late now to work any rclaXa-
ton Of the stringency OF the terms Of re-
construction.
General 5eaurcgard has been spending
the day in the city, and has received nG-
merous calls from our citizens. During
the long term Of service which he srcnt iii
aiding TO defend the city he made hosts of
friends, to whom he endcared himself no
less by his gallantry and devotion than by
the modcSty Of his department..