New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-22
SENATOR WILSON ON VIRGLNIA.

HENRY WILSON Is one OF the most earnest,
faithful and sagacous counselors OF the Repub-
lican party. He has earned the undying
malevolence of Wendell Phillips by blending
with his devotion to principle resolve not to
run that principle into minority when II IS
possible to coDjOin fidelity with success. lie
has lust given his view of the situation III
Virginia, for which we solicit the thoughtful
consideration of every lover of justice and
equality. We copy it rerbatim from this weeks
Independent, as follows:
The Virginia election e1cies hopes and fears neither
OF which may be realized Although the Democrats had
neither principles party candidates. in hateecton
and the supporters OF Mr. Walker unqualhedy accepted
tho noIcy OF Reconstruction Democratic presses the
North rejoice over the result victory That II Is no
victory for the Democracy clear 10 the comprehension
OF all who understand the condition OF affairs In that
State Whether not IL shall be made So depends on
the future 1t may 10 the benefit Of the Democratic
party; or by wise and prudent action, It mny become
the occasion and afford foundation Of large and pow
erfu political organization which sha fully accept the
logical results Of the Rebellion, restore TO the Old Do
minion something OF what she mady threw away. aud
make her what she should be-a great and glorious Com
monwealth.
There was in virginia some two or three years ago.
body OF men, consisting mainly OF Wings OF the Henry
Clay school and n few Democrats who had not been
smtten and stuluned by the theories OF Mr. Calhoun
These men, though they had engaged In rebellion were
opposed to secession and regarded with some degree OF
feeling, not TO say bitterness, the leaders who had
dragged the State into rebellion Though they were con-
seryaye and Of course tuid and hesailng, they
willing 60 accept the situation aud the Reconstruction
act and unite liberal basis to carry into effect this
policy OF Congress- by framing Constitution. organizing
a state Government, and sending men 10 Washington
who could take the oaths OF once.
The Legislature was Ia session when these Recon
attn wCre BleTpOnt
ngly nxious only 10 reconstruct tho State but %
build up n Republican party In favor OF granting equal
rights colored establishing schools for the cduca
ton Of the children Of both and fostering intcn
improvements Some OF the strongest the State.
In and out Of the Legislature. agreed with him, pni
were anxious for a movement Of that character. Con
sequeny, after tie passage OF the act providing
practical plan for Reconstruction the substance OF
which was prepared by ChefJusce Chase, and Intro.
duced into the scrnle by the writer OF this article Gov.
Pierpout with about thirty members OF tho Legislature
Of the state invited the writer to visit Virginia and adj
dress the people upon the policy OF Reconstruction. He
went; and while there several members Of the Lcgsa-
ture persons OF influence met az the house OF tho
Governor for consultation the matter OF recon
structon and some practical plan Of uniting those ci
zcns Of the state who ready to accept the policy Of
the General Government II stated that there
forty members OF the Legislature who were ready
to Join general movement. aud the names 81
several leading men given who were ready 10 par
ucipate therein.
About the middle OF April meeting of delegates from
10 or 20 counties held at Richmond. nc which Re
publican party organized and declaration OF prn-
clples was put forth. Many, willing 20 accept the doc
trines promulgated DESTROYS OF having n larger
meeting 10 be called at later day, at which all parts
OF the State and all persons ready to accept the Recon
structon policy should be represented Gentlemen
chosen 10 confer with appointed by the Re-
publican meetng and II confidently believed that
union was practicable, and that Convention could be
elected and Constitution framed which would receive
the votes OF large majority Of the State But the propO
sItiOn for State Convention rejected, and OPP
perfume moment for union was allowed TO pass unim-
proved.
Another effort still was made TO bring harmonious
action the friends OF Reconstruction largely aided by
those In other States who were ANXIOUS TO witness this
consummatlon 50 devoutly 20 be wished In this work
the Union League OF Phladelphaan organization which
has contributed much TO the country and the OF
liberty-took the lead, and joined by the Union
League OF New-YOrk, and the Reconstruction Club Of
Boston Mr. Charles Gibbons OF the leading Repub.
leans OF Pennsylvania Mr. Boxer, OF Philadelphia, the
poet John Jay and Col Van Buren,, OF New York Mr.
Francis W. Bird Chas w. Slack and other gentlemen OF
Massachusetts, made pilgrimage TO Richmond, III tho
patriotic endeavor OF bringing Into harmonious
accord and on 10 common platform tho
dlscOrdant elements OF the State. meet
ing held at the house OF the Governor and represen
tatiyes Of different shades OF opinions Conservatives and
Radicals, Whites and Blacks addressed the Committee
more than I've hours stating their grievances and Civ
ing full expression 10 their and feelings the sub
Ject. At adjourned meeting the next day tho Com
mttce urged the importance Of harmony, Of mutual con-
and sacrifices for common cause They urged
the desirabeness not only OF having Virginia right, but
OF having lead the van the great work OF Southern
Reconstruction They insisted on tho vital necessity OF
union OF the races and deprecated earnestly any
division OF parties the line Of raco
or color They declared 1t TO bo o
matter OF paramount Importance TO bring Into
the movement all White men who were will
ing to equal rights TO all Their earnest c0unses
at length prevailed and all agreed though some, who
had defeated the In April, did 1t with evident
reluctance union call agreed TO- State COnvon
ton was held and though much precious time had been
lost and many repeod several gentlemen OF large eKpe
rlence and influence came to Richmond TO attend the
meeting Some who had defeated union in April resisted
every effort TO bring the people together, and repealed
those who 10 Richmond to attend the union meet
ing Indeed, they seemed to wish TO keep the Recon
sruction party conveniently small Succeeding In keep
ing thousands out Of tho movement who would have
joined they among the first to divide the Repub
party, and Of them gave their votes for Mr..
Walker.
There cannot be shadow OF doubt In the minds Of
those acquainted with aars Virginia In the Spring
and early Summer OF 1867 that had wise earnest and
unselnsh effort been made at that time Reconstruction
party could have been formed that would have framed
liberal Constitution, adopted It, sent delegation TO Con.
gress and given Gen. Grant last year majority OF many
thousands There were then many thousands OF White
in whose bosoms In spite OF tho Rebellion, fingered
the traditions Of the past, the memories Of those days
when they acted With the great national parties Of the