The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-09
THE NEW MOVEMENT.
What the New Movement has Effected

e
The National Intellgsncer Of yesterday
has a leading editorial under this caption
We quote few choice paragraphs: -
Declining to discuss the question
whether it would not have been better, az
the opponents Of the movement insist, TO
sufrer Governor Wells and his allies to have
the field entirely to themselves, to continue
TO poison the ear Of Congress, and thus IN.
huenoe its legislation, we may remarc tna1
as the result Of this movement there ID q
far better understanding among leading Re
nublican members Of Congress OF the real
temper and purposes Of the Virginia people
than before. a great deal Of misappre-
hens;on and prejudice have been dispelled,
and there is a positive determination by in
Auentisl Republicans to take care that this
neonle shall be treated with justice and
consideration. The State is better under
stood. and 30, too, are the carpet baggers.
At the same time, the Republican leaders
are inclined to proceed cautiously. But It
is q great thing that no hasty, violent, or
inconsiderate legislation is now to be e1-
pected. The appeal has been made in the
right way to their better judgments, and 1t
has been heard and weighed. We think
we are quite safe in saying that as the re-
suit Of these representations by the COM
mittee, and also by intelligent of1cers
of the army, the Underwood constitution
ia virtually defeated. 1t will not be sub
mitted, if at all, without material modlt-
cations. This is good point gained
indeed, it may be said to be decisive
one. As to the precise mode of legislation
or action that will be adopted, We are
not at this time prepared to indicate II:
Possibly the subject may not be disposed
of by this Congress, but may devolve on the
next Administration. To this there can De
no objection but the delay involved for we
have every confidence in the disposition
both Of the incoming Executive and OF the
leading Republicans in Congress to MAKE
such q settlement as shall be just and satls-
factory to the great body of the virginia
people. The temper and disposition OF those
who have power to shape and control this
settlement is, we believe, all that can be
desired. We believe that there is kindly
feeling for the people of Virginia, ana |, an
annreciation of their love Of order and other
bigh qualities which will have its weight
in this adjustment. >, :.
"Wbat we have said relates, it will be
seen, entirely to results here. We have
said nothing of the value OF line OF policy
which now enables the whites to rally the
black vote as we'll as the white against the
Underwood constitution, and to secure its
defeat by an immense majority. On the
line of the new movement and no other,
this can be done, and will be done. The
negro will not vote as the opponent of
negro suffrage advises him-we have seen
that demonstrated but the friends of the
new movement will, we firmly believe,
control the votes of 8 majority of both
races. A defeat of the constitution on this
new line cannot be reversed by Congress,
and will not be reversed. This grand
policy which secures division of the ne
gro vote will be inestimable in its future
results upon the political order, peace, and
good government, of the State.
"In view of these results, of this good
already here accomplished,
of the great mischief and calamity ar
rested and prevented by this new move
ment, we hail it not only as success, but
as really the greatest political movement
since the war. It has more in 1t of the
real elements Of craftsmanship than any
thing brought forward for some time. 1t ID
eminently practical. 1t has already borne
much good fruit, and there will be more ere
long. The friends of the movement have
acted deliberately and advisedly; they
have taken this line Of settlement, recon-
struction, and peace, as the best prac-
teal solution of the difficulty, as the
only mode of defeating the Underwood con-
stitution and they will, we are as
sured, adhere infexibly to it. They are
done with former party organizations as
useless and effete they regard them as
they do last years snow-irrelevant wholly
to the issues Of the day. They aim to save
their State, and to this end all past, present,
or future alliances must be subservient.
They are confident Of the reason, the wis
dom, and the strength of their position.
The opposition to them has done some harm
by investing Governor Wells's statements
and perversions with an air of FEASIBILITY
but this mischief is now mainly over, and
this opposition will not be hereafter mat
ter of serious concern. Its future nantes
tations, its outcries of temper, criticisms,
and citations of poetry, will not stay the
march Of events. The settlement will be
made, whether they like it or not"