The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-28
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
Editorial Opinions of the Loading Journals
Upon Current Topics Compiled Every
nov for the Evening Telegraph.
TuE STATUS IN VIRGINIA.

Senator Wilson writes for the IHdepetdcHt
mn article on the Virginia election, in which
he takes a hopeful view of the present situa-
Hon and of the results likely to ensue from
walkers victory. In his opinion, the ultra
adicals made q mistake when they declined
20 accept the overtures of compromise three
wears ago. and insisted upon prescribing the
great body of those who had been Rebels.
Their more moderate brethren were thus
forced, he thinks, to separate from them, and
prove that they stood willing to advance
generous policy of reconciliation, such as was
embodied in the bill presented by him TO the
Senate, mainly as drafted by Chief Justice
Chase. The abandonment by the Democrats
of their own platform and candidates, and
heir general support of the Walker ticket is
,luoted as justifying this conclusion; for
there is no good reason why the concession
should not have been accepted in the same
spirit, if made at the outset
Senator Wilson ignores in this statement
very important fact-that the Democrats were
themselves the most effective supporters of
description. Incensed by the attempt to
,tablsh political equality, and resolved not
} tolerate negro suffrage, it was their en-
eayor to make the Congressional plan of re-
construction odious, and so ensure its reiec-
: n. One of their leaders, Mr.. Baldwin, de-
ayed that ''the white men of Virginia would
NJ -er consent to divide citizenship with blacks
, % had been their slaves" e" Another asserted
mot 'the true plan was to keep the State
II. ar military subsection until the plan of
& .nress had been defeated-that it was bet
f0 remain forever out of the Union and
Ter martial law than submit to negro
rqlitv." BY a shrewd trick, in the absence
. . large number Of Republicans from the
ec. vention, these conservatives united
" the most ultra radicals to fasten pro-
, ptiye features upon the Underwood Con-
, ntion; refusing to reopen the subject and
T. end them when urged to do so by the
1 u1ning Republicans, including Judge I'm
d rwood himself What was hoped for, was
a Democratic national triumph that would
nut the 'white element" again in possession
of unrestricted and undivided power; or, at
least, the failure Of the fifteenth amendment,
and consequent modification OF the recon-
.struction laws 1t was not until after the
election of Grant with the accompanying
emphatic show of determination 10y the North,
that these conservatives realized the tu-
tility of continued resistance and its effect
upon themselves discovery which led them
to substitute a policy of submission, with
universal suffrage and universal amnesty
for their previous QudSj hostility. Even then,
it took long to secure harmonious agreement
in the ranks of ''white men, and the COM
mittee of nine who made the first Overtures
at Washington had for months to endure a
storm of obloquy and reproach from their po
litical associates, who charged them with
doing violence to the honor and dignity of
Virginia
The Wells party was party of prescription
only when prescription was absolutely neces-
sary to keep out of power men who avowed
themselves determined to defeat loyal recon-
struction, upon the basis of 'equal rights for
all" At the very outset of the campaign,
Governor Wells announced himself in favor
of bringing all classes together; of burying
everything that could prolong the hatreds
and prejudices engendered by war He was
for universal suffrage and universal amnesty
combined
The true party of prescription was the
Walker party. For while protesting thorough
submission to the laws of Congress, it pro-
posed to invalidate them by making eligibility
to Office conditional upon color. 1t would
atfranchise white Rebel, and give him place
and power. At the same time, it recognized
without endorsing negro suffrage; 'because, y
as Governor Walker said, that was an inexor-
able and inescapable necessity" But it pro-
posed to limit offices to the Caucasian ele-
ment. This was retaining the old spirit, Sc
far as was possible under the prevailing new
conditions. The Democrats accepted it as
the best thing they could get. Conducting
campaign alone, and under their distinctive
banner, they knew that defeat was certain.
The pledges of Walker, since election
show that his alleged determination to esta
blish generous policy, support the laws o
Congress, and protect all men in equality o.
rights, is an after-thought. He is to b,
judged not only by his own record, but b,
that of his political associates. This doe
not warrant the hope that his recent pledge
will be fulfilled. We shall rejoice if Senate
Wilson's hopes prove well founded, an
the election of conservative" candidat
eventuate in the establishment of Repub
ican ideas. But if Governor Walker doe
take this position, he must separate fror
those who elected him, and join the sup
porters of Wells. In short, he must Ell
dorse the ''ultraism" which Senator Wi
son condemns. The fact that he ha
asked General Lee and other Rebel magnate
to meet him at White Sulphur Springs an
consult about the policy of his administration
does not indicate such a design on the part {
the Governor. We have no sympathy wit
those who would, by resort to bubble, upst
the results of the late election, and CONVEX
the Republican minority into a majority
But neither do we believe it wise to call dC
feat victory, to congratulate ourselves upo
the disaster to those who have been the truef
friends and supporters of our cause or {
take stock largely in the promises of pol
tician who has secured prominence and pos
ton only because of his declared oppostio
to leading Republican ideas.
CONDITION OF THE SOUTH.