The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-11-23
Senator Wilson on the Situation.


Although Mr.. WILSON, of Massachusetts,
ia rather common than an extraordi-
nary man, and although he is an advocate
of the extension OF the right of suffrage
to women as well as to negroes, he is a
representative man Of the dominant party
of the North. SUMNER and PHILLIPS lack
ballast. They are not reliable. The peo-
pie do not look to them for counsel, nor
expect from them the origination Of govern
mental measures, nor rely upon their good
Judgment as to the wisdom or the necessity
of such rs may be proposed by others.
FEssENpEN and TRuMBULL have too much
legal learning, too high an appreciation OF
the Constitution, too little regard for Radical
dosmas, and too much respect for their own
reputation, to be acceptable leaders OF the
northern mob. WILSON Is sort OF average
man amongst the prominent RepuDiicans'
He cares nothing for SUMMERS or fulL-
L1rs's silly distractions and wlre-draWh
arguments in favor Of foolish schemes,
end nothing for TRUMBULL's and fEssEN-
DES's ideas as to the sanctity of the Constl-
tuition or the weightiness OF preceden's.
WILSON is party man. He believes 1hat
"nothing succeeds like success" he WOULD
do anything to defeat the Democrats or Sc
cure the ascendancy of his own party. lie
has more conscience than BUTLER, VINO Is
entirely destitute of all sense OF right ana
wrong, but never allows what little con-
science he has to stand in the way of his
ambition or his plans. As goes WILSON, so
goes the northern people-not that he leads
them, but that be knows by instinct just
what will please them, and acts according
". 1t is, therefore, worth our while TO
read what WILSON says is to be the future
policy Of the Government; and the follow
ing is q report of recent conversation be-
tween him and q reporter for the New York
Herald:
Senator Wilson: in regard to the re-
construction measures Of Congress, think
General Grant will carry them out in their
full letter and spirit, and that he will main
tain the national faith and public credit
with iniexible frmness, and that he will
enter generally upon policy of RESPONSE
bility and economy. | think he under
stands what the people need and what they
have determined By his election, and espe-
cialiy believe that he will strive to pro-
tect the citizens of the United States in every
part of the country that he will labor for
equal rights and privileges of all, without
distinction of color, and that he will be
successful in those labors. | hope to see,
under his administration, the rights Of all
men secured, all men protected in their
rights, and more kindly relations established
between our countrymen North and South.
When the residents of the South find that
il is the universal purpose of the people to
establish equal rights and protect every
man in the exercise of those rights, n bene-
fetal change will be wrought in their feel
ings and sentiments"
Reporter GAS legislator, Mr.. Wilson,
what do you think about granting negro
suffrage in the different States, and Will
there be likely to be constitutional amend
ment adopted to secure iti
Senator Wilson "Many members OF Con,
gress believe we have now the constltu'lo1@l
power to legislate on that subject. Mr.
Bingham, of Ohio, who is the author o. the
first paragraph of the fourteenth amend
ment. believes that under that amendment
Congress- would be empowered TO give equal
suffrage in oil the States. Some very emf
nent men in the Republican party-some
who have rendered great service 10 the
however, the power OF t0n-
yress to legislate on this SUBJECT. Lac
Chicago Convention declared that the mat
ter of suffrage in the loyal States belonged
to those States, and in view of that declara-
ton, and the corresponding opinions OF
eminent men of the Republican party,
think it is doubtful if we can pass any law
on the subject. #, however, we cannot
enact such law, Congress should at once
submit on amendment to the Constitution
of the United States securing equal rights
and privileges to all its citizens. There are
only seven Democratic State Legislatures,
and I think in few months the States |
would adopt an amendment, and thus settle |
the whole matter forever. When equal |
rights and privileges are secured to all citi-
zens of the United States, and all citizens |
are protected in the exercise of those rights |
in every part of the country, then, and not
till then, have reason TO believe that we |
shall have peace"
Reporter: 81 suppose, after all, Mr.. Will
son, Notwithstanding these and various
other important matters which will crowd |
upon Congress, that the financial question |
will be among the first to receive attention =
Senator Wilson Yes, that is true; for |
there has been great change in pubic
sentiment on financial matters since Con-
gress adjourned, and that change will pro-
baby manifest itself to some extent as soon
as Congress assemblies. Pendleton's green
back theory, when first promulgated, was
like Douglass squatter soVe-
reignty. 1t was rather taking with the
people until it came to be examined. Some
were completely stampeded by
it: but time and discussions Of the matter
wrought wonderful changes IN the puo1ic
sentiment of the country, and those changes
arc in favor of maintaining the national
faith and of improving the currency. Inc
election, in my judgment, has pronounced IN
favor of returning to specie payments, no.
by any hasty action, but by steady ana
economical policy. l would not increase
the paper circulation Of the currency, but
| would strive to so improve our credit as
to diminish the difference between gold and
We have got to equallze the
banking system either by reducing the
amount of circulation in some States or else
reduce the amount of greenbacks in circu-
lation. Instead of reducing the circulation
in older sections of the country | would in
crease the banking facilities of southern
and western States by reducing the green
back circulation in the same proportion as