Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-12-13
Letter from Ex-Governor Wells.

The following letter Is addressed by cX-GoV.
Wells, of Virginia, to the editor OF the DAILY
State journal.
RIcHMoND, December 10, 1869.
CIoad 10. ". Uughes.
| My DEAR SIR: | had hoped there would be
| at Tic opening Of Congress no division OF scnti-
| mcut in Washington on the subject OF the i'm
mediate restoration Of Virginia, and am sur
pri,cl at what occurred before the ltccDnSlruc
| ton Committee on yesterday. We have ar
rived, it seems to ne, ut Z stage in the work OF
reconstruction when it Is utterly idle to attempt
the correction of any evil which may exist here
| by longer denial Of federal representation TO
the State No Conservative or Democrat will
be made Republican; no bitterness assuaged :;
10 ostraciSn he abated, nor any spirit OF am
ncSty be encouraged, or oblivion for the past
be secured by either an exclusion Of the State
or Individuals from any Of the rights which
bclon. to the most favored of States NJ citizens.
Whether such desirable rcsulss were ever like
ly to be secured by test oaths and dislranchise
mcntS or not, 1t is certain that they can have
no operation from this time forward.
II We arc ever to secure prosperity in our
material interests, harmony in our social rela-
tons, or justice aud equality in political rights
and privileges, it must be done by such uni
ycrsa act al notable amnesty as dGprlves every
man of the last vesige OF cXcusc Tor ihtllcting
Injustice upOn others, in retaliation Tor wrongs
or political disabilities suffered by himself.
One may doubt the issue, or even believe
that snch measure of liberaty will fail Of any
happy results; still it il the only refuge now
left, and wise men ought not 10 hesitate about
making the trial. 1t should be done, too, in
no ungrac.jus spirit, but fully, freely, with the
broadcast generosity 1t is idle to find fault
with or cav at the means or way by which We
have been brought TO this condition. Ii is
entirely immaterial how the Republican party
was defeated; nor shall we be likely to contem-
plate its overthrow more graciously by longer
indulging in anim0sity, bitterness, or rccrim-
nation. sincerely hope that Virginia may
be restored before the week ends, without
single dissenting vote, that before the Christ
mas holidays, by one single act Of amnesty,
any disabilities OF every citizen of this Com
monwealth may be removed. The policy OF
selecting here and there individuals for relief;
no; because OF their superior claims, but rather
on account OF the friends they have at court,
or the diligence with which they move their
suit, is plainly unwisc and maniiestly unjust.
10 tends largely to aggravate the irritation
already cx's'i"e: The two hundred men whose
disabilities are in this way removed, are not
thereby rendered any more the friends of the
Government than they were before, while all
the other unrelieved find in this last act, if IN
just Congressional discrimination, n new cause
Of more substantial complaint, dislike, and bit
ternesS. 1t is useless longer to rely on half
measures Sever the knot by one blow
Unite all hands By one word If this policy
does not succeed, then no other can afford any
reasonable hope of better result. hope that
you will do all in your power to secure the sue
cess and early adoption OF this policy.
remain, my dear sir, yours truly,
IT II WpIIc