Litchfield enquirer., 1869-12-23

The following letter from ex-Gov. Wells of Virginia was laid before the Reconstruc. tion Committee on the 11th:
 RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 10. 1869. Col. RIA. HUGHES My Dear Sr:-I had hoped tFere would be at the opening of Congress no division of sentiment in
 Washington on the spbiect of immediate restoration of Virginia, and am surprised at what occurred before the Reconstruction Committee, yesterday. We have arrived, it seems to me, at . stage in the work of reconstruction where it is utterly idle to attempt the correction of any evil which may exist here by longer denial of Fed eral representation to the State. No Con- servative, nor Democrat, will be made Republican, no bitterness assuaged, nor any spirit of amnesty bs encouraged, or oblivion for the past be secured, by either an exclusion of State or individuals from many of the rights which belong to the most favored of States or citizens. Wheth. CT such desirable results were ever likely to be secured by test oaths and disfran. chisements- or not, it is certain that they can have no operation from this time for ward. If we are ever to secure prosperity in our national interests, harmony in our social relations or justice and equality in pOI1ulCoA A4SAoo @AN PIAVAtO6OSs mUOU U0 done by such universal act of n0kable amnesty as deprives every man of the ves- tige of an excuse for, inflicting injustice upon others in retaliation for wrongs or political disabilities inflicted upon him. self One may doubt the issue, or even believe that such 8 measure of liability will fail of any happy results. Still it is the only refuge now left, and wise men ought
 not to hesitate about making the trial It should be done, too, in no ungracious spir- it, but fully. freely, with the broadest generosity. It is idle to find fault with or | cavil at the means or way by which w0 have been brought to this condition. It ia entirely immaterial how the republican party were defeated, nor shall we be ike l ly to contemplate it's overthrow more era-
 ciously by longer indulging in animositys bitterness or recrimination. sincerely hope that.Vlrginiahay be restored before the week ends without single dissenting! vote: that before the Christmas holidays,by one single act of amnesty, the disabilities of every citizen of this Commonwealth may be removed. The policy of selecting
 here andthere individuals for relief, not
 because of their superior claims, but rath- CT on account of the friends they have at
 court or the diligence with wbich they
 move their suit, is plainly unwise and man.
 ifestly unjust It tends largely to aggra-
 yate the irritation already existing. The 1 200 men whosedisabilities, are in this way removed are not thereby rendered any more the friends of the Government than
 they were before, while all the others un.
 relieved fad in this last act of unjust Con.
 gressional discrimination new cause Of
 more substantial complaint, dislike and bitterness It is useless longer to rely on Ehalf measure. Sever the knot by one blow. I tJntie all hands by one word. If this pol fcv does not succeed then no other can af0 I ford any reasonable hope of abetter result
 I hope that you will do all in your power
 to secure the success iand early adoption of
 this policy. Iremain my dear sir. yours
 truly 4!sob e-eGs' z7-s9fH. H.oWEILs. i.1