Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-07-22
How the virginia Eie ction Interpreted

HOW the virginia EicctlO0 interpreted.
BY the Republican press generally the
result of the Virginia contest is interpreted
fairly and practically. There is no DISPOSE.
ton to claim it as a mere partisan tri-
umph, and none to concede the pretensioDs
with which in the first instance northern
Democrats attempted to invest it. Mr..
Forney's two papers continue their carping
criticism, and the sheet which echoes the
modification of Mr. Wells at Richmond
labors hard to misrepresent both the causes
and consequences of bis defeat. These
exceptional grumblers only render more
emphatic the congratulations of Republican
journals elsewhere, and more significant
the meaning they attach to the ratification
of the constitution and the election Of Mr..
Walker
The all pervading feeling is one satisfac-
ton and hope. Without pausing to
analyze the motives of all who supported
the Walker ticket, our Republican con-
tcmporaries see in its success the gain of
the Administration and of the recon
struction policy, with which it is identified
They recognize in The union of influences
by which success was achieved the ami
hilation of the prejudices and passions
which have separated white and lack,
and the strongest assurance of political
equality in the future. They are satisfied
with the constitution as adopted. and with
the rejection of provisions which would
have perpetuated peril and strife. They
are convinced that the election was fairly
conducted, and that the result expresses
the settled desires aud purposes of the
great majority of the people. Thus
applauding both the result and the means
| by which it was attained. it is not sur
prisng that the mischievous suggestions
of those who do not like to confess them
selves defeated meet with little favor. 1t
is felt that they who would foster div
isions among the supporters of re-
construction in Virginia are as culpable
and foolish as the Democrats who pre-
tended to discern party advantage in an
event involving the reputation Of every
distinctive principle by which that party
is known in the North or West.
This confident estimate of the situation
in Virginia has been greatly strengthened
by the course of the Govcruar elect an
the temperate and just tone of the loca
press. At Richmond, at Washington,
aud il New York-before his constituents
amid the excitement of victory, in his
interviews with the President and with
friends of the A dministration-Mr. Walk
err has held the same language. He re-
cards his own election, on the platform
he occupied, as in effect triumph for the
Grant Administration. He asserts his
determination to stand aloof from every
influence, personal and political, which
may tend adversely to the development of
the policy incident to reconstruction. He
is resolved to uphold the black man in the
exercise of his rights, and to promote
harmony and good feeling between the
races. The Virginia journals that were
most effective in the canvass assume sub
stantially the same position. They insist
that old partisan issues shall be discarded,
and that the promises implied in the
election of Mr.. Walker and the ratification
of the constitution shall lie fulfilled by the
people. Nowhere do we trace sign of
bad faith, or of any feeling or purpose
which the friends of reconstruction should
not hail as satisfactory Everywhere, on
the contrary, may be discerned evidences
Of the comp lete revolution that has been
wrought in the sentiments and temper Of
Virginians, and of their title to the conf
dence of the President and Congress-
Nep York Times.