The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-17
HOW TEsE VIRGINIA ELECTION is
INTERPRETED.

By the Republican press generally the re-
suit of the Virginia contest is interpreted
fairly and practically. There is no disposi-
ton to claim it as Il mere partisan triumph,
and none to concede the pretensionS with
which in the first instance northern Demo-
Gratis attempted to invest it. MIR. Forney's
two papers continue their carping criticism,
and the sheet which echoes the mortifca-
tion of Mr.. Wells at Richmond labors hard
to misreDreSent both the causes and cOnse-
quences of his defeat. These exceptional
grumblers only render more emphatic the
Congratulations of Republican Journals else
where, and more significant the meaning
they attache to the ratification OF the constl-
tuition and the election of Mr.. Walker.
The all-pervadingfeeling is one of satisfac-
ton and hope. Without pausing to analyZe
the motives of all who supported the Walker
ticket, our Republican contemporaries see IN
its success the gain of the Administration
and of the reconstruction policy, with which
1t is identified. They recognize in the union
of influences by which success was achieved
the annihilation of the prejudices and pas
sions which have separated white and black,
and the strongest assurance of political
equality in the future. They are satisfied
with the constitution as adopted, and with
the rejection of provisions which would have
perpetuated peril and strife. They are con-
yinced that the election was fairly conduct
ed, and that the result expresses the settled
desires and purposes of the great majority
of the people. Thus applauding both the
result and the means by which it was at
tained, it is not surprising that the mis-
chieyous suggestions of those who do not
like to confess themselves defeated meet with
little favor. 1t is felt that they W ho would
foster divisions among the supporters OF re,
construction in Virginia are us culpaDie ana
foolish as the Democrats who pretended TO
discern party advantage in an event IN
yolvng the reputation of every qlstlncClve
principle by which that party is known IN
the North or West.
This confident estimate of the situation IN
Virginia has been greatly strengthened by
the course of the Governor elect and the
temperate and Just tone of the local press.
At Richmond, ut Washington, and IN New
York-before his constituents amid the eX-
citement of victory, in his interviews with
the President and with friends of the Ad-
ministration-Mr. Walker has held the same
Language. He regards his own election, on
the platform he occupied, rs IN effect trl-
umph forthe Grant Administration. He as
serts his determination to stand lcof from
every influence, personal and political, which
may tend adversely to the development OF the
policy incidentto reconstruction. de Is re-
solved to uphold The black man in the exer-
else of his rights, and to promote harmony
and good feeling between the races. The
Virginia Journals that were most effective
In the canvass assume substantially the same
nosition. They insist that old partisan is-
s,Ies shail be discarded, and that the pro-
misses mise ;mplied in the election of Mr.. w alker
and the. ratification of the constitution shall
be fulfilled by the people. Nowhere do we