Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-05-28
The Compromise Increment iit
DiP1iUiu.
From the New York Times ]

From the New \ ork Times
The Virginia Conservatives appear to be
acting cautiously, wisely, aud ia good faith.
The movement begun by the Committee of
Nine, whose appearance at Washir gtOn
early in the winter attracted a good deal of
attention, reappears in the RichrIond Con-
vention with degree Of strength mat must
command respect, apd a moderation of pur-
pose which promises sat- factory results.
There are foolish men IA the INVENTION
evideptly-men to whom experience has
brought no lesson and danger offers no
warning but beir futile ultrasm only
brings into sire oyer light the general good
sense of tho majority. The Jolly Of start
log third ticket with the view Of diverting
those WHO were originally opposed 20 recon
struction from the second Republican or
ganzAtion is appreciated; aud as the great
body of the white Virginians are aux Gus
for the restoration of self-government TO
their State, and are prepared TO acquiesce
in the conditions of restoration laid down by
Congress, there seems ground for hoping
that the constitution will be adopted shorn
of its obnoxious prov S ons, and that State
organization will DO off cted under other
auspices than those of Governor Wells and
his sdherents.
Tbs President, Il Is understood, toM not
identify Federal authority toith either the
Wells or The Walker ticktt. Both are Re.
ptsbutcens, aid he has no intention 10 take
part against either. This determination Is
right. All General Grant should be asked
to do is to carry out the views expressed In
his message TO Congress by providing for
separate votes upon the essentials Of the
proposed constitution and the pr0scrip,ive
provisions, which are not essential; and
that he will do this we have no doubt. For
the rest il is only necessary that the district
commander take care that the election be
| a free election-that all tho voters of the
State, black and white, have an opportunity
| for expressing their preferences with out
| hindrance or molestation. These conditions
| fulfilled (as unquestionably they will be, }
the prospect seems clear. The only danger
| to be apprehended was the nomination Of a
third ticket, Den ocratlc In its character
| the result OF which would have been either
| the total rejection of the constitution in
question, or its ratification with oil the
provisions that tend TO make reconstr.ctio
! odious. With this peril obviated, the issue
at the polls will be between the extreme
Republicans, with Wells aud the sealawag,
at their head, and the p.oderate Tor Walker
Republicans, including the best men of The
party, aud with the main body of the Con
seryatiyes for the time active Ia their sup
port. The result should not be uncertain
or course an attempt will be- made L
fasten rpon the anti. Wells Republicans full
rec possibility for the political antecedeni
Of those who for the time became thei
allies. The article We quoted from tn,
Richmond Slate journal eNempihrs thts
tactics. alt makes 10 difference who o.
what the man may have BEEN" we are told
Republican OF Democrat-once he accept
the nomination NJ the Conservative or seccs
/ Il. Of Ia ha Ia md
force its policy" Ergo, because the oppo
sition Republican ticket receives the sup
port If men who were formerly seeessionists
the State government which the combina
ton may elect must force the obstructiv
= policy. The Wells section Of the party nat
urAlly desires that this impression shall b
5 widely spread IL damages their Republican
f opponents by arousipg suspicious as TO thei
. trustworthness and sincerity.
! But the facts, SO fat as known, do no
, warrant any such conclusion. True, tn
great body OF the negroes are on che side {
, Wells. The Nnrthern Adventures who hav
/ gone into the State, relying upon their abi
ity 10 secure the negroes support hav
) joined their fortunes Ia his. On the othe
2 hand, IL Is certain that Walker aud his assC
. ciatos are tried ani trusted Republican,
whose record will bear the closest scrutiny
{ and who bolied from the Petersburg Con
I yention because tho nomination Of We'll
B on the proscdptivs platform was tho wor
= 0f the enemies of Reconstruction, who adoI
: ted thst method Of accomplishing its defea
I The Walker wiog, then, has the support Z
y the white Republicans of the STATE, 1
E nominees are unoi iectionable, personally q
f politicallyi aud ia platform Substantial
1 emboiies the p -luciples aud oniaets While
$ General Grant in his IN segs formAll
sanctiopei. To allega that tnis pla'frl
9 loses lis merits, aud that these nomina,icl