Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-10-01
VIRGINIA UNITED STATES SENA-
TORS


TORS.
1t seems that the people Of Viz
ginia are undecided as to who shall
represent them in the Senate Of the
United States, because the man
they may select may not be agree
able to President Grant Nothing
has shown so forcibly the extent
to which the people Of the South
have been subjugated as the course
pursued in Virginia on this ques-
ton. The matter has been dis
cussed for some time as to the atti-
tude of Grant on the senatorial
question, and friends of Gen. Robt.
Williams have claimed that he was
particularly favorable to the cleo
ton Of that officer, as against all
other candidates. The following
statement prepared by Messrs.
Alexander Rives and James G.
Paxton, shows that while the Pres
ident is not exactly opposed to Gen.
Williams, his preferences are for
his brothersin-l law, DR.. Alexander
Sharpe, at present the Marshal of
the District of Columbia:
WASHINGTON, Sept. ., 1S69.-It is,
psrhsps, due to the public TO correct re-
mark that has been attributed to the Pre-
sident, indicating Gen. Williams as his
choice for Senator from Nirgisia. We
have Just had a conversation with the
President on this point and beg leave TO
report go much Of it as is material.
The President said a friend Of Ger.
Williams told him that the General was
receiving many letters from Virginia
soliciting him to be candidate for the
Senate; that he would not be a candidate
without he knew it would be fsvorably
received or not objected to by him. The
President replied there could be no objec-
ton to IL: that he would be glad to
see as good man as Gen. Williams 1
selected But it is not true that he
declared Gen. Williams to be his
choice. Ga the contrary, he was aware
several gentlemen we're named for this Office
in whom he had perfect confidence, and
there might be others unknown to him
having the same title to his confidence ;
aud, while feeling it TO be improper for
him to express any choice at all, he would
certainly not have done so TO the prejudice
Of any one of his friends. Among these
were Gen. Wickhsm and others; also, DIR.
SHARP, whom he had long known, and
whose loyalty was perspicuously displayed
in the hostile community ia which ne
lived at the outbreak CT hostilities. He
spoke 10 the highest terms of his honesty
and sincerity, and thought them superior
to all the temptations of private interest,
etc. ALEX. RIvEs,
JAMES G. PAXTON.
The Washington correspondent
of the Baltimore Sun says the pub
LEGATION of the card Of Messrs. Rives
and Paxton, giving the Presidents
views on the Virginia seDatorship,
has created quito a stir among the
friends of Gen. Williams, who say
that the President has not been
truly represented, and it is not un-
likely therefore that they will also
publish card giving their version
of the true state Of the case. Other
parties, who are neither for Will
liams nor Sharpe, think the pub
lished card shows an unwarrantable
attempt to interfere in Virginia
State politics, and predict that the
friends of both aspirants have been
entirely too Jealous, and have done |
their favoritcs great harm. The |
correspondent Of the Sun says a
word in behalf of the people Of Vir-
ginia, which he seems to think neccs-
sary under existing circumstances.
He says; "Virginians have not yet |
discovered the necessity that com-
pels them to go begging for Sena
tor outside Of their State, and |
the suggestion of the Rich
mond Wing to take up Horace
Greeley and elect him, shows
with what ridicule all these
schemes of aspiring gentlemen who
want cushioned seats in the Senate
are received in the Old Dominion.
1t may be necessary to sacrifice
some we'll settled opinions for ex-
pediency's sake, but Virginians do
not think they have yet reached
the point when, to secure q United
States Senator, they must deprive
the army of faithful and gallant
officer, or the District Of Columbia
of most excellent marshal" 1t is
greatly to bo hoped the Legislature