Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-09-07
The Situation of Affairs in Virginia.
Twash Cor of the N. Y. Herald, Sep. 81

TWash Cor. N. ". Herald. Sep. IL
A despatch fran Richmond says Governor
Walker arrived there to>day, from Washing
ton. Some account of his interview with the
President here yesterday was published in
the Richmond evening papers to-day, and is
said to have created somewhat of sensation.
The news as published was very exhilarating
to the Walker men, while the Wells men
were very much depressed. The Governor,
however, was very reticent and quite guarded
in his speech with all who approached him.
de visited General Candy and had long con-
versation with him. 1t is understood that
Gen. Candy has received notice that Attorney
General Hoar has given in his opinion to the
President deciding adversely to the exaction
of the test oath from members of the Legis-
lature, and the General is hourly expecting
an official copy of the document. 1t is said
that orders will be given to convene the Leg
islature as soon as the result of the election
is promulgated, which will be in few days,
and inaugurate the new Governor. The bu-
siness of the Legislature, however, when con-
vened, must be strictly confined to the adop-
ton of the Fifteenth Amendment and the
election of its own officers. The Attorney
Generals opinion will probably reach Rich
mond tomorrow, and will be the basis of
Canby's future action. This intelligence has
not yet been made public, but it is known to
those who have intimate relations with the
General that the whole question of recon-
struction is virtually settled in Virginia, and
all seem satisfied. The happiest results are
argued for the immediate revival of business
and the establishment of good feeling among
the people, who have SO long been divided
and estranged by angry passions and conflict
ing political animosities. Though nothing
of an official character has TRANSFERRED, this is
understood to be substantially the result of
Gov. Walkers interview with the President
Yesterday, and his business with Gen. Candy
too day was to lay before him the result as in
dictated. In compliance with all of the above
Gov Wells has signifed his intention of re-
signing as soon as the official announcement
of the election is made. That will take place
in few days, and as a consequence Walker
must be installed at once.
Correspondence of the Baltimore Gazettel
Cabinet Compztcations-Has Massachusetts, Over-
6oard-THe President Changes His Tao
tcs-TAe Virginia Problem ,Sozyed- Good
Neus for ConservatiUcs-The Bout,ccHs
Nowhere.
WASHINGTON, September 8, 1869.
I tclegraphed week ago rumors of dis
agreement between President Grant and Sec
rotary Boutwell, Further developments more
! than confirm these rumors. Il forwarded you
particulars by telegraph last night.) It is
now quite certain that, after much vacilation,
the President will finally cut loose from the
ultra Radical wing. Under Boutwell's guild
| ance he sees nothing but defeat staring him
in the face. Look at the result in Virginia
and in Tennessee 1t is not considered good
generalship to change front in face of the
enemy, but there really seems no other course
| to pursue. On the one hand there is certain
defeat. On the other-perhaps defeat also
but it is thought advisable to try change of
tactics, even though it be but forlorn hope.
Massachusetts will no longer be permitted to
control the Government. Boutwell, will have
abundant leisure to mature his Presidential
schemes in Boston, and Hoar can rest on his
laurels as lawyer who manufactures partisan
| opinions, regardless of law or facts. Wilson
will have to run his race for the United States
Senate against the willy Butler without
hackers; and Sumner, not being able to
further mar, or meddle in, our foreign affairs,
will have an opportunity to look into domestic
| affairs, of which he will no doubt avail him
| SELF It must not be inferred that the mil
| lenium has arrived. The President has simply
had to give way before the inevitable logic of
facts He sees that the Boutwellites will as
surely be defeated in Texas and Mississippi as
they we're in Virginia and Tennessee; and as
the Conservative Republicans promise to sup
port his policy-a rash promise, it must be
confessed, as the ways of his policy are past
finding out-he thinks it as we'll to be on the
winning side.
More and more the skies are clearing
There is light along the political horison.-
Since writing what is above written, have
learned that the Virginia problem is solved
General Candy will soon proclaim the election.
The Legislature will meet on the fourth Tues
day after. The test oath will not be exacted
The civil laws will be respected. All that is
to be required of the Legislature is, that
before proceeding to other action it shall con-
form with the reconstruction laws regarding
preliminaries to the admission of the State
This comprises, among other things, the adop-
ton of the Fifteenth Amendment. OF course
the assembling of the Legislature necessitates,
the installation of the Lieutenant Governor as
presiding officer of the Senate. It follows,
as matter of course, that Governor Walker
will also be installed. What has been granted
to Virginia cannot be withheld from Ten
nessce, nor from Mississippi or Texas. The
days of the ultra Radicals are numbered
The Boutwellites are nowhere; and Conser-
vatives rejoice accordingly.
1t appears that Attorney General Hoar is
anxious to save his official bacon, and he there
fore swings round with the President, ride
his "opinion" on Virginia matters, of which
you will receive synopsis by telepragh.
Y,
THE OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL