Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-12-12
WELLS.
EpiStOIaFy.

WAsHINGToN, Dec. 1.-THE following
letter from ex-Gov. Wells, Of Virginia, was
laid before the Reconstruction Committee
to-day:
Richmond, 70, Dec 10, 1857, Col.
R. A. Hughes-My Dear Sir: Il had hoped
there would be at the opening of Congress
no division of sentiment in Washington on
the subject of the immediate restoration of
Virginia, and l am
Surprised
at what occurred before the Reconstruc-
ton Committee yesterday.
We have arrived, it seems to me, at a
stage in the work of reconstruction where
il is
Utterly Idle
TO attempt the correction of any evils
which may exist here by a longer denial of
federal representation to a State. No
Conservative nor Democrat will be made
Republican, no bitterness as
suaged, nor any spirit of ami.
ty encouraged, nor oblivion of the
past be secured by either an exclusion of
the State or individuals from any of the
rights which belong to the most favored of
States or citizens. Whether such desi-
rable results, are ever likely to be secured
by test oaths and acknowledgements or
not, it is certain they can have
no operation from this time forward
If we are ever to secure prosperity in our
national interests, harmony in our social
relations, or justice and equality in po-
litical rights and privileges, it must be
done by such
A Universal Act OF Notable Amnesty,
as deprives every man of the vestige of
right to inficting injustice on others
in retaliation for their wrongs or
political disabilities suffered by himself
One may doubt the issue or even believe
such a measure of liberality will fail of any
results; still, it is
The Only Refuge now Left,
and wise men ought not to hesitate about
making the trial It should be done in no
ungracious spirit, but fully and freely,
with the
BrOadest Generosity.
1t is idle to find fault with or cavil at the
means or way by which we have been
brought TO this condition. 1t is
Entirely ImmaIeriaI
how the Republican party was defeated,
nor shall we be likely to contemplate its
overthrow more graciously by longer in
dulging in luminosity, bitterness or recrimi-
nation. 1 certainly
Hope Virginia may be Restored
before the week ends without a single dis
senting vote-that
Before the Christmas Holidays
by one single act of amnesty the disabli-
ties of every citizen of this Commonwealth
may be removed. The policy of selecting
here and there individuals for relief, not
because of their superior claims but rather
on account of the friends they have at
court, or the diligence with which they
move their suit is
Plainly UnwIse and MRniTestIy I'M
just
1t tends largely TO aggravate the iTrita-
ton already existing. The two hundred
men whose disabilities in this way are re-
moved are not thereby rendered any more
friends Of the government than they were
before, while all others not relieved find in
this last act of unjust congressional dis
elimination a new cause of
More SubsIanIiaI
complaint, dislike and bitterness. II is
useless longer to rely on haf-measures
sever the knot by ole blow; unite all
hands by one word. II this policy does
n OF succeed, then no other can afford any
hope of better result. hope you viii
do all in your power to procure the success
and early adoption of this policy.
l remain, my dear sir, yours truly,
H. II. WELLS.