The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-11-20
RirImond 9ispatth.
MONDAY. ......NovEMBER 90, 1871. |
Ggs THE CIRCULATION OF THE DIS
PATCH Is LARGER THAN TUE CoMsIEE,
( REGULATION OF ALL THE OTHER aILa
SEwSPAPERs Or THE CITY.


DR.. Grceley's kindly feelings toward the
South were never manifested more striking
ly than in the important part he played in
the reconstruction Of Virginia, the facts
respecting which have never been made
public until now.
The Convention that framed the present
Constitution of Virginia was not only
Republican, but extremely Radical. AS
that instrument came from their hands,
it contained test oath and clluse dis
qualifying all from holding any office who
had taken any part in the rebellion or aided
1t in any way whatever. OF course these
provisions would have excluded from office
ninety-iive out Of every hundred white
NircinianS. sss
The Convention ordered the Constitution
TO be submitted for ratification as whole.
The people Of the State were greatly
alarmed. but did not know what to do. BY
refusing to rafify the Constitution they
would doom themselves TO continued mill.
tary government; and il they ratified it as
framed they would put the State govern
enfranchised blacks, who were in minority
Of over $4,000 IN the State. Their only hope
was an appeal to Congress to permit sepa-
rate vote TO be taken on the obnoxious
clauses. But how to get at Congress in
such q way as TO secure favorable action was
the question.
Just In the midst OF their perplexities
three flrginiaUs-Gen. Mshone, Gen. I'm
bcden, aud Col. Fiournoy-happencd to
meet in New York, and In discussing the
situation ut home it occurred to them TO see
Dr., Greeley and seek his counsel and adj
vice, rs he was then known TO be in1uen-
tial with the President. They met Or.
Greeley at bis Office by appointment, the
conference lasting from 8 till II P. NJ. The
result was that DR.. Greeley cordially
adopted their views in regard to the
obnoxious features Of the Constitution,
and said that he would 60 and see Presi-
dent Grant at Long. Branch, and endeayor
10 induce him to recommend to Congress
the passage Of an enabling act or joint reSo-
luton to take the separate vote desired by
the FirginianS. He went to Long Branch,
and spent q long time with the President,
but returned little encouraged After q
further conference with the Virginians, he
advised them to call in the aid of several
leading Republicans Of this city. They at
tempted to do this, but failed. DR.. Gree
ley then went a second time to Long
Branch, spent the night there, and next
day reported his belief that his mission had
been successful. as after~ard proved to he
the fact. The President sent snort mes
sage TO Congress on the subject. which re-
Si(llSU ll tuC lilnCulitC PItSSd9C vi u JClhl
re, oiution, under which the vote or ratiti-
| cation was taken, the Constitution purecd
Of its odious features, and the State re-
hsbilitatcd, with the best government in
the South.
The Presidents mind was known to be
inclined against this course before DIR.
Greeley saw him. 1t Is almost certain that
tut for the earnest efforts Of DR.. Greeley q
separate vote would not have been allowed.
So great was the desire IN Virginia to re-
| establish civil government that the Constj-
tuition would perhaps have been adopted as
| il was framed. Had that been done, three
| ;ourths Of all State offices would be filled
| to. Gay by the ignorant blacks; for i'll many
counties there was not single white msn
who could have taken the oath prescribed
| to fill any office. THIS conduct OF Dr.. Gree
| ley has endeured him very much to liberal
minded Virsioians.-&e,o York Sun.