The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-04-09
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents Message.
The message communicated to Congress
by President GRANT with reference to the
restoration of Virginia to the Union is
plain, straightforward paper, devoid of
anything like partisan artifce. 1t is also
as entirely relieved from any expressions
calculated to revive unpleasant feeling or
convey reflection upon conquered peo-
pie as was his inaugural address. In these
particulars the document should be graft
flying to us of the South.
1t is unfortunate that it came so late.
But can General GRANT be blamed for this !
He was aware that the delegation of " nine
had urged upon Congress, through COM
mittees, the reasons for the early admis-
sion of the people of Virginia into the
Union upon fair terms, and was beyond
doubt under the impression that it would
be more proper to leave Congress TO act
upon the subject without interference by
himself. He did not hesitate to express his
own opinions and wishes very freely to
Virginians and to congressman whenever the
subject was raised in his presence. More
than this the Virginians themselves did not
then ask or expect Of him. 1t was not
until last week that the propriety of his
calling the attention Of Congress to the ex-
pediency and policy of the early restora-
ton of this State upon the plan of the
mine" was spoken Of. He said he would
consider the propriety Of sending such a
message. lie has sent it, and the fact is
strong proof of the earnestness Of his de-
sire to see Virginia restored for the mes
sage is somewhat out of the ordinary line,
being upon question of domestic policy
which is to be considered as already before
Congress, and as belonging to the class of
matters of national concern which the Pre-
sident has generally treated only once q
year in his communication to Congress at
the beginning of each session.
It may be said again that in it's recon-
mendation Of Virginia to the Immediate
action Of Congress the message was not suf-
fciently explicit as to what should be done.
1t was no doubt question with the Presl-
dent how far he should 60 in his departure
from the ordinary custom in offering sug-
gestions to Congress. Evidently he wished
to avoid any seeming dictation SO, under
the general Recommendation that the peo-
pie of Virginia be permitted to vote sepa-
rately on the more Objectionable clauses OF
the constitution, he avoided giving ground
for cavil, and sufficiently indicated his own
opinions, which had been already set forth
in every newspaper Of the day.
We may say justly, We think, that Gene
raj GRANT has in this message come quite
squarely up to his oft-expressed views
about Virginia, while he has paid her a
marked conn iment for the conduct of her
people.
AS General GRANT has thus given to the
nation, over his own signature, his views
in favor of admitting Virginia at once, and
giving " to all it's people those equal rights
"under the law which were asserted in the
Declaration of Independence, in the words
"of one of the most illustrious Of its sons"
he places himself in direct hostility to the
extreme Radical party in this State, headed
by Governor WELLS. He says Virginia is
ready, and wishes to free her white citizens
from disabilities. They, through their
Spokesman WELLS and WHITrLEsEY, de-
clare that Virginia is not ready, and her
people cannot be safely admitted to par
ticipation in the management Of their public
affairs. They insist on ostracising nine
tenths Of the white people Of this State.
The Chief Magistrate of the nation would
give equal rights to all our people. They
are bitter and uncompromisipg. He is
liberal and pacific. They would prolong
misgovernment and poverty. He would
establish order and government based on
the voice Of the people at the polls, and
thus reassure enterprise and restore pros.
porous industry. They would continue
discomfort and hate by holding the expe-
rsence and worth Of the State in distrust.
lie would restore harmony, peace, and
prosperity, BY confding in the people.
We cannot anticipate what Congress will
90. 1t has no time to do much. But should
" iaii to dispose Of this important subject
b IN some better way than laying it on the
teo'e' II IL some consolation that Genera,
WANT has committed himself n tba,;ho.