The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-09-27
AitIrmond 1ispattl',
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 81, 1869.
ro,eral Williams.

General W1iilaihS'
We are not tho partisan OF TINS gentleman
ANY ono who can carry out the desire
which we believe to he uppermost in the
minds of all the people is our man, DC ne
who he may. What we have said abou'
General WILLIAMS las been matter OF the
simplest justice.
Proceeding upon the idea that there has
been strong desire to conciliate Gcncra'
GRANT for his liberal policy, which has saved
this State from the horrible ron-clad OATH
and its calamitous consequences, we, con-
curing with, we believe, majority oil the
people of Virginia, have been inclined 10
the election to the Senate of some one whose
selection would be properly considered an
expression Of the desire above stated. Ih's
desire was so conspicuous, so publiciy I'LL"
generally proclaimed, that 1t must nave
reached the ears of General GRANT, ana II
so. il is not extravagant to regard 1t as
sort of implied promise, especially when we
view it as an emanation OF pubhc feelmgcon-
fcmporancous with the exercise OF the
privileges scured to us by General GRANT,
the happy result Of which had not been
reached. That was the period for their just
appreciation, and none but short memor!
and loose sense of obligation could dlm!n-
iSh their value or forget them.
A contemporary who has taken the cpl
tlemic of the GRANT gratitude in its mlldes'
form has confessed that "there rs q d'$po-
sitton in oar people to thank him" General
GRANT "for schdt he has d0ne." There Is
no doubt of it. And how shall we do 1t!
Is not the mode which was suggested by
the people themselves ut the instant of their
generous sense Of 'what General GRANT
had done" the most proper? Clearly 1t Is.
Now, adhcring to these proper motives
and this proper mode. as we believe the
people are inclined to do, achatercr the
aspiring politicians and their part'sdns may
suy or do, we are for choosing senator
whose election will be gratifying to the
President. We are neither so short of
memory nor so tickle in moral Scnsiblllty as
to forget or disown what so recently existed
and actuatcd the public mind Of this State.
The question has been, Who is the proper
man? Bring him out. and we are for him.
General WILLIAMS has, we know, received
the warmcst evidences of favor from the
President, and has exhibited the most ar
dent interest in the welfare Of Virginia. But
ifyou can find better man, we are Tor him.
Until the better man appears. however,
permit us to say that there is nothing
against General WILLIAMS. His character
is unimpeachablc. He has ever commanded
the respect and esteem Of all who knew
him. He has for months occupied his
mind with earnest deliberations upon the
best mode of restoring order to Nir@l-
mia, reviving her prosperity, and developing
her physical wealth. He has gone far in the
line of maturing plans for this purpose. We
cannot tell all that would command for him
the sympathy of this people. There are
facts which would commend him to them
which cannot be made public. He has .
position potent for our good, and enjoys
the confidence of the persons highest in the
Government.
There is an objection advanced by some,
but that objection comes from those whose
whole political strategy depends upon the
removal Of disabilitics-the very disabilities
which they create for him-viz., difference
in the late war. How can they presume to
hope for the removal of the disabilities of
their favorites when they arc not willing to
ignore the same disabilities which, in their
estimation. deprive General WILLIAMS of
their confidence? If they cannot forgive,
how are they to be forgiven?
General WILLIAMS is Il man Of clear iude-
ment, great energy. and sincere public
spirit. His mind is Of that solid and we'll
regulated nature that makes it always i'm
proving, and his character is of that earnest
and thoughtful turn which gives assurance
that he will always devote himself faithfully
and efficiently TO the obligations OF any trust
rcposed in him.
But, we repeat, if there is a better man
we shall be for him most heartily. Virginia
alone has our voice in this matter.