Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-07-29
senator wilson ON virginia.

d senator Wilson ON virginia.
> Henry Wilton is one of the most earn
. est, faithful and sagacious counseiors c
the Republican party. He has earned
the undying malevolence OF Wendell
Phillips by Blending with his devotion
to principle q resolve not TO run thai
principle into minority when it is pos.
sible to conioin fidelity with success
= He has ju 81 given his views of the stu.
alton in Virginia, for which we solicit
the thoughtful consideration of every
lover of justice and equality. We copy
it verbatim from this weeks Independ-
ent, as follows IN. Y. Tribune, 22d.
: The Virginia election excites hopes
} and fears, neither of which may be re-
: allied. Although the Democrats had
neither principles, party, nor candidates,
3 in that election, and the supporters of
Mr.. Walker unqualifiedly accepted the
policy of Reconstruction, Democratic
presses at the North rejoice over the re-
suit as victory. Thatit is no victory for
the Democracy is clear to the eOmpre-
henoion of all who understand the con-
dition of affairs in that state. Whether
or not it shall be made so, dependson the
! future. 1t may inure to the benefit of
the Democratic party; or, by wise and
i prudent action, il may become the occa-
sion and afford a foundation of q large
and powerful political organization which
shall fully accept the logical results of
the Rebellion, restore TO the Old Domin-
ion something of what she madly threw
away, and make her what she should be
"a great andtelorieus Commonwealth.
There was in Virginia, some two or
three years ago, body of men, consist
ing mainly of Wings of the Henry Clay
school and few Democrats, who had
not been smitteh and stultified; by the
theories of Mr.. Calhoun. These men
though they had engaged in the rebel
lion, We're opposed to secession, and re-
garded with some degree of feeling, not
to say bitterness, the leaders who had
dragged the State into rebellion. Though
they were conservative, and, of course,
timid and qesitating, they were willing
to accept the situation and the Recon-
struction act, and unite on liberal basis
TO carry into effect this policy of Con-
gress, by framing Constitution, organ
izing State Government, and sending
men to Washington who could take the
oaths of office.
The Legislature was in session when
these Reconstruction acts were passed.
Governor Pierpoint was exceedingly
anxious not only TO reconstruct the State,
but to build up a Republican party in
favor of granting equal rights TO colored
men, establishing schools for the educa-
ton of the children of both races, and
fostering internal Improvements. Some
of the strongest men in the State, in and
out of the Legislature, agreed with him,
and were anxious for a movement of
that character. Consequently, soon after
the passage of the act providing prac-
tical plan for reconstruction. the sub |
stance of which was prepared by Chief
Justice Chase, and introduced into the
Senate by thewriter of this article, Gov
ernOr Pierpoint, with about thirty MEM |
bers of the Legislature of the State, in |
vited the writer to visit Virginia and |
address the people upon the policy of
reconstruction He went, and, while |
there several members of the Legislature
and persons ofinfiuence met at the house |
of the Governor for consultation on the |
matter of reconstruction and some prac-
tical plan of uniting those citizens of
the State who were ready to accept the
policy of the General Government. 1t |
was stated that there were some forty |
members of the Legislature who were
ready to join in some such general |
movement. and the names of several
leading men were given who were ready |
to participate therein.
About the middle of Aprlle q meeting |
of delegates from fifteen or twenty |
counties was held at Richmond .at which |
a Republican party was organized and
declaration of principles was put forth.
Many, willing to accept the doctrines
promulgated, were desirous of having a |
larger meeting, to be called at a later
day, at which all parts Of the State and
all persons ready to accept the recon
struetion policy should be represented.
Gentlemen were chosen to confer with a
committee appointed by the Republican
melting and it was confidently believed
that union was practicable, and that
convention could be elected and consti-1
tuition framed which would receive the
votes of a large majority of the State.
But the proposition for State Cenven-l
ton WAS rejected, and an opportune
moment for union was allowed to pass
unimproved. vo his& aHL st --.''e ''t'
Another effort still was made to bring
into harmonious action the friends of
in ether States who were" anxious to
witness this consumatien so devoutly to
be wished. In. this work the Union
League of fPhiladelphia-an organization |
which has contributed much to the
country and the cause of liberty
took the lead, and was joined by the
Union League of New York, and the
Reconstruction club of Boston. Mr.. |
Charles Gibbons, one of the leading |
Republicans of ofPennsylvania, Mr.. Boxer,
of Philadelphja, the poet; John Jay and
Colonel Van Burei' of New York Mr.. I
Francis w. Bifii, has. w. Slack, and |
other gentleme IA OF Massachusetts, made
pilgrimage to Richmond, in the patri-
otie .endeavor of bringing into harmo-
nious accord and on to a common plat
farm ho aiaenrdonf claimants nf ha
State A meeting was held at the house
of the Governor, and representatives of
different shades of opinions, Conserva-
tives and Radicals, Whites and Blacks,
addressed the Committee more than five
hours, stating their grievances, and
giving full expressions to their views /
and feelings on the subject. At an adj
journed meeting the next day the Com
mittee urged the importance of harmony /
of mutual concessions and sacrifices for 3
commoH cause. They urged the des-1
irableness not only of having Virginia
right but having her lead the van in the
great work of Southern Reconstruction.
They insisted on the vital necessity of
union of races, and'idepreciated most
earnestly any division CT parties on the
line of race or color. They declared it
to be matter of paramount Importance
to bring into the movement all white
men who were willing to secure equal
rights to all. Their earnest counseIs at
length prevailed, and allagreed though
some, who had defeated the movement |,
in April did it with evident reluctance.
A Union call was agreed to, State Con.
vention was held, and though much
precious time had been lost and many Il
repelled, several gentlemen of large ex-
perience and influence came to Rich
mond to attend the meeting. Some who
had defeated Uuion in April, resisted
every effort to bring the people together,
and repelied those who came to Rich.
mond to attend the Union meeting. In