The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-08-05
An Important Political Movement in Vir-

An Important Political Movement in Vir-
ginia.
The following letter has been addressed by
Colonel john W. jenkins, chairman of the
Republican State Central Committee Of Yir-
giniia. to the chairman of the Walker Re-
publican Committee
Rooms REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL
az COMMITTEE,
RICHMOND, VA, July ~, 1869. }
DR.. George K. Gslaaer, Chairman Waller
Republican Enecutive Committee:
My Dear Sir,-For long time previous to
the late election you and worked hand in
hand in the Republican organization in Vir-
GINA, with, l believe, an honest purpose to
build up party in harmony with the great ma
tional party of the country, the object of which
was to exercise healthy influence in restor-
ing our beloved old Commonwealth to her
proper place in the Union Of States; and |
believe am not presuming too much when
say that, ordinarily, our views harmonizcd
on the policy Of our party up to date OF the
nominations at the Petersburg Convention in
March last
You were at that time the honored chair
man of our State Committee, made so in
great part by my exertions at the re-organi-
cation of our party in January OF this year.
After the nominations to which 1 have al,
ready alluded were made, yourself and others
who have long acted with the regular Repub-
lican organization of the State differed from
myself and very large majority Of the men,
bers of our party in the State, and in conse-
quence of that difference of opinion you Or
ganized what was then, and is now, known as
the "Walker Republican party" and present
ed your candidates to the people, and by the
aid of the entire Conservative vote of the
State your party achieved victory. 1 am
not willing to believe that the movement in
which you then engaged had for its object
the permanent disruption Of the Republican
party. The unhappy division of our party
at that time was, in my judgment, more diff
ference of opinion as to men than any sub
stantial variance as. to men and principles.
The future prosperity Of our State depends,
in my humble judgment, upon the fidelity Of
those in authority to republican principles
In other words, complete and thorough Or
ganization of our State Government in all its
departments in harmony with the Admins
tration of General Grant and the policy of
the Congress of the United States and the
great Republican party of the country.
This alone, it seems to me, can give peace
and quiet to our own people and restore conf
dence to our friends abroad in the perma-
nence and stability of our institutions. When
this is done, and not till then, will the rsoplc
of the East, North, and West, nave conf
dence that reconstruction in Virginia has
been complete. T.aen, too, will the people Of
all Europe hare learned that Virginia is in
deed LIE ''home of the FREQ" and an asylum
Tor the oppressed.
When this confidence is restored, as it
surely will be under Republican rule, immi-
grafton will flow in upon us, bringing both
capital and labor unequelled in the history of
any State; and soon, very soon, instead OF
WESTWARD" it will be "Southward the Star
of Empire takes it way" and Virginia, from
her central position, genial climate, and un-
equalled resources, will receive into her bor-
ders large majority Of those seeking homes,
and there will be poured into her lap the
great bulk of the capital seeking profitable
and secure investment.
Then will her gallant sons who have Como
forth to people our great western domain re-
turn to the bosom of their old mother, with
a spirit of enterprise sharpened by the expe-
rience of life, and engage in earnest and en-
ergetic work to make her record in the future
more glorious than the past.
Then we shall have, not "Old Virginia, u
but sNew Virginia" grandcr, prouder, and
more powerful than ever before, and soon the
proud boast of our-pardon me-;your newly
elected Governor that Virginia will be the
New York Of the Union, and her Atlantic
city the queen city Of the country" will be
realized.
/ assure you that l am actuated by no sci
fish motives. As Virginian. my highest
ambition is to see Virginia prosper and act
ing upon these grave considerations of public
policy, take this early opportunity to com N,
municate with you upon the propriety Of unit
ing the two wings Of the Republican party
and establishing liberal Republican organi.
zation in whose ranks all who really love the
Union may join, whether they may have been
buttoned in the grey or the blue, and thus
create permanent, powerful, and lasting
party, which shall secure the permanent pros
perity of the State.
1 have within few days past been honored
by my party with the position of chairman of
the Republican State Committee; and rep
resenting, as do, over 100000 voters, it is
with confidence that now make the PROPOSE
ton for consolidation with that wing of the
party which you have the honor to represent /;
and should the proposition which now make
be met on your part with spirit Of concili-
alton and reunion, and be approved by those
with whom you are associated, it will be my
pleasure to name committee of prominent
gentlemen as you may be pleased to name as
to the plan Of consolidation and arrangements
of future committee for the party in the
State.
] have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
JOHN W. JENKINS,
Chairman Republican State Committee.
DR.. Gilmer's Reply.
Rooms OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE J
TRUE REPUBLICAN PARTY,
RICHMOND, Va, July 81, 1869. }
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