The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-10-20
The Last Preliminary Act.


of VIRGINIA. whose admission TO the hoor OF
Congress- will restore her 10 equality with
1he ether States Of the Union. This final
act in the steps preliminary TO restoration
was in accordance with the principles ana
n,lcy Of the triumphant liberal party which
elected Governor WALKER. The gentlemen
elected are competent to take their seats in
the United States Senate, and we cannot
suppose that objection will be made to their
doing so.
Colonel JoHS T. LEWIS, who was elected
Observation-Disclosures at the July elections,
is chosen for the long senatorial term. He
is not only Union man Of unquestioned
devotion and consistency, but is we'll known
to be a special favorte with General GRANT.
His tail. manly form and somewhat rugged
outlines, and his unaffected and direct man
nor and speech seem TO have won the good
feeling OF the President and established n
sort Of LEWIS infirmity in his breast. He
can have no malady less hurtiul 80 himself
and the public interests. We have
touched and took" somewhat OF that
same ailment. JOHN LEWIS will 20 into
Congress as easily and smoothly as though
he were sliding in upon ice. lie Is every
inch q true man. and is possessed of that
frankness and good sense that viii give him
influence and make him useful man; and
this sort OF influence is better than the fine
speeches Of impractical orators.
Judge JoHSsToN's name had not been
presented with any show Of strength, and
was little thought Of up TO few hours be-
fore the caucus which nominated him. In
that body an unexpected confederation Of
circumstances brought him forward with a
sort Of yround-swcli, ana swept him on to
triumph. This result of a struggle amongst
aspirants is often repeated, especially under
the auspices OF the caucuS-an odious ne
ccssity Of our politics. The foremost COM
petitorS exhaust their strength, and men
not before thought Of come in and carry of
the prize.
Judge JouNsToN has had no extensive
public career. lie was Il senator Of the
state from the Tazcwcll district in 1873,
but was so retiring in his disposition that
ne took no prominent part. lie joined the
seeding Democrats Of the Legislature
(twenty-thrce in numbeD who refused to 20
into the Democratic caucus, and helped the
Wing party to elect Mr.. HUNTER and Mr.
MASON GAMES Ny TO the United States Sc
nate over Governors SMITH and Mcdowell.
lie was not again in public office until re-
Gently made y Judge Of the Washington
county circuit by military appointment. in
which Office he is said to have given entire
satisfaction.
Judge JOHNSTON was brothcr-in-law Of
General FLOYD, and is 4 nephew Of General
JOSEPH Z. JOHNSTON. He is rcputcd to be
Il scholar and wcll-rcad lawyer.
Whatever may have been Judge JOHN
sroS's sentiments and opinions before and
during the war Congress has brought them
under the statute Of limitations by rcmoy-
Ing any and all disabilities that may have
been incurred by him. He is by law, there
fore. made eligible to any public office with
out taking The tcst-o2th.
We cannot suppose that the disabilities Of
Judge JOHNSTON would have been removed
By Congress, at time when the sectional
rancor of the political leaders Of that body
was extreme, unless there had been some
thing in his course and history to commend
him TO their favorable consideration. And
even were we to suppose that Congress
could 20 behind it own act and deny TO tho
Judge the right which that act secures to
him. we cannot doubt that the circum-
stances which commended him to congress
sjonal clemcncy will now protect him from
ANY such violation OF good faith,
We cannot doubt that both the gentlemen
elected will he promptly admitted along
with the gentlemen who have been elected
TO represent Us in the House of Representa-
tiyes, all Of whom can comply with the re-
qliGemcnts Of the Constitution and laws.
The scenes Of the canvass Of the claims Of
the several nominees for the Senate grew
quite animated as the time for the decision
oftloSe claims by the caucus Of LibcraliSts
on Monday night drew near. But there
were preserved throughout very good feel
ing and fair dealing, and the result of the
caucus was succeeded by Il placidity and
chcerfulness that showed how perfectly free
from mere personal partisanry had been the
whole contest. The good Of the state, and
her prompt restoration to equality among
Tie States, actuated all, and each man grace
fully surrendered his individual views Of the
best mode Of accomplishing these grand OBJ
jects TO the opinion Of the great majority OF
the members. In conformity with their de-
ciSion and these sentiments the elections
Yesterday were made i'll perfect harmony
not ripple disturbing the smooth course
OF this important preliminary act.
Amongst the acts Of self-Sacritice which
certainly do honor to the times was that OF
FRANKLIN STEARNs, who for Il month past
has been the favorite, and who had but to
say the word and take the office Of senator.
lie continued to repress all movements in
his own behalf, and urge upon his friends
TO support LEWIS.
Along with General WILLIAMS, Mr..
SrEARNS was withdrawn before the regular
balloting in caucus was begun. 1t was
found, said the gentleman who exercised
the authority to do so, that to secure the
greatest unanimity amongst The friends
OF the liberal policy the names OF these gen
tlemen should be out of the way.
It is due to General WILLIAMS TO say that
there was a strong sentiment of gratitude
and respect entertained for him by the mem
bers Of the Legislature. His name was
amongst the first brought forward, and be-
came the target for the friends Of the subse-
quent nominees. The objection that he did
not reside in Virginia was one that applied
10 none of the others, and was urged against
him with an energy that turned from him