The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-09-20
General Williams.

General Williams.
Our readers are uHacquaintcd with TINS
gentleman, whose name has only been IN
troduccd into this paper through paragraphs
from northern journals in connection win
ono of the scnatorships from this State.
The Eaqujrcr Of Saturday, in an article
whose shirt is commcndable, thus refers to
him:
ave arc aware that if General Grant
has really indicated such preference lfor
General Williams for scnatorl the fact vii!
have its weight in Virginia, for everybody
wants all the influence he can give us, ano
there is disposition in our people to thank
him-somc Of them absolutely, others by
comparison-for what he has done; but
such step as clecting General Williams,
where continued abscrtccism, if 1t docs not
prove Indifference to Virginia, certainly I'M
plies ignorance Of her wants, might iail o.
any Good effect either to General Grant or
the State from the very circumstance OF ms
election for we must not forget that the
Senate has already growlcd at General
Grant, and may imputc the elevation OF
fayorite where only the good OF the State
was aimed at"
We are not the partisan Of General VIII
LIAMS; but let us have fair play, and ham
string nobody in advance. II VIC assume
that We here, in Virginia, are under
promise 10 concliatc General GRANT IN re-
turn for his great favor in enabling us to
ret rid Of that abcminGtion Of denominations
The tcst-oath-as the Enquirer admits
nv clcctinr Mt least one senator who will DC
satisfactory to him, then We must conccdc
that General GRANTS opinion as 70 who he
should be is entitled TO great respect; anG
as to whether the selection may be beneficial
or injurious to him, he is the best judge.
As to the supposed effect of "absentce-
ISM Indifference to Virginia." or i'm
piled IGNORANCE of her wants. it is due
10 General WILLIAMS that we should say
that the acts Of that gentleman for many
months not only prove his deep sympathy
with Virginia Chis native Statc), but an
acute sense of her wants which is not sur
passed by that which enters the heart anG
mind of any man within the broad limits
Of the Commonwealth.
He has strivcn with zeal which mus
cnnoblc him in the minds Of NJ who arc
aware of it to supply her wants, 10 save
her frtm further affection, and to facilitate
her restoration to the Union. He has done
this State infinite service, and saved hcl
many pang. 1t was privately, quietly,
and successfully, accomplishcd-cyen his
name being unknown TO the people Of Vir
cinia until within few days past.
This is but the simple truth, without ex
aggcration. General ROBERT WILLIAMS is
the second officer in the jutant-Gcncrals
Office in Washington. lie is an accom-
plishcd gentleman. q man of talents, and
of remarkable tact and judgment. He en-
joys the friendship of both Generals
GRANT and SHERMAN, and has position OF
standing and influence in the Government
and financial circles Of the Federal capital.
lie has especially interested himself for
many months upon the subject Of the i'm
portant internal improvement projects
through this State, which he fully under
stands, and Which he pronounccs national
in their character and consequences.
We have felt for months past exquisite
comfort Chat may well he undcrstool)
from knowing that we who for so long
time had no friend to offer an appeal for III
in Washington had at last friend to do us
that service in the heart of the executive
branch of the Government. WILLIAMS
was that friend, and RAwLIXs, (pcacc to his
@shcs,l with the broader responsibility OF
the whole Union to occupy his mind, never
failed to enter into the sympathics for Vir-
ginia of WILLIAMS, his personal friend
never failed to respond to his suggestions.
and, as far as lay in his power, to give
laid and comfort" to her in her hour OF
anxiety and distress. Both were acting III
entire harmony with General GRANT.
General WILLIAMS is entitled at least to
our respect; and if the generous nature Of
Nirginians has not undergone a sad change
ne Will receive also our gratitude, 10 which
lie is cmincntly entitled.
ii we are to conciliate General GRANT
and to facilitate reconstruction by main
taining the good spirit and intent which
has characterized our proceedings the me-
rits of those who arc best calculated for
the purpose viii be fully canyasscd. We
have no wish but that which we are sure
actuates the Enquircr-thc good Of the
State and the contamination of the rcstora-
ton in the best manner to secure her fair
participation in the protection and benefits
Of the Government. Men arc nothing.
Give us anybody that will help on this
main object. and he is our man. But lei
us not do injustice to any.