Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-12-01
EYEEo stVED YERGENIA.

We hone those or our readers, who
have found serious fault with Gen.
Nahnnc for interfering in the politics
of Virginia, viii read ami ponder
o.cr Dh~ following article which we
clip from the N. y. San.
The day is coming when Mahonc
viii receive the thanks of all true Nir-
giniaus for having done more for their
prosperity and welfare than any other
man in it, EDS. NEws.)
TIEuNIA's DEET TO DIR. HORACE
GREELEY.
Dr. Grcclcy's kindly feelings toward
the South were never manifested more
strikm"ly than in the Important part
hn played in the Reconstruction of Nir-
aInia, 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 ~ that instrument came
rom their hands, il contained a test
cath and a clause diSqualifying all
from holding any office who had la
tru amp part i'm the rebellion or aided
H iu amy way whatever. or course
these provisions would have excluded
from Office niucty-fvc out of every
iHudryd white Nirginians.
The Convention ordered the Con-
luuiiou 60 Ice submitted FOR ratiiica-
tom as a whole. The people Of the
IL 4 Il Il
uul know what to do. by refusing to
ralIiy the Constitution they would
doom Them msclvcs to continued militia
Iy government. :. and if they ratified It
:- framed they would put the state
Government absolutely in the hands
"l th" wly-cnlranchiscd blacks, who
were in a naiorityo of over 30, ,WH iu the
state. Their only hope was an ap-
Irai to Congress 10 permit separate
vote tu bc taken on the obnoxious
Ilau~cs Hut how 30 get at Congress
200 such "a way rs 10 secure favorable
action WIS the question.
Just in the midst of their perpleXi
ties three Nirginians Gen. Malone,
Gen. Imhojlcn aud Col. Flournoy-
happened to meet i'm New York. and
ln discussing the situation at home IT
occurred to them To see DIR. Greeley and
Geek his counsel aud advice, as he was
then known 10 hc influential with the
President. They met Dr. Greeley at
his office 10y appointment, the confer
,ucc lasting from S till II l.. NJ. The
rr,ult was that Dr. Greeley cordially
adopted their views i'm regard to the
obnoxious features Of the Constitution,
and said that he would 20 and see
President Grant at Long Branch, and
rulcavor 10 iIiducc him to>rcCummcad
to Congress tile passagCo. an cuablihg
act or ioiut resolution to take the scpa-
rate vote desired hy the NiiginlauS.--
He went e. Long Branch, and spent n
long Time with the President, hut re
turned lutlc.cncouragci. After q fur
thcr conference with the Nirginians,
hc advised them tocall in the aid of
several leading Republicans of this ci-
~. They attempted to do this, but
iallcd. DR. Greeley then went a sec
uud time 90 bong Branch, spent the
ulght there, and next day reported his
iri!ci that his mission had been suc-
r1>~iul, ~ altcrwara proved TO be the
l2r' lhg President sent a short Mes.
sage to Congress on the subject, which
resulted in TIE immediate passage OF a
In:t resolution. under which the vote
"u ratification WAS taken, the Consti-
tuition purged of us otlious fcaturcs,
"ud the Stale rchahilitatcd, With the
best government in the South.
The Pfcsidonr smiel was known 10
lr Inclined against tiis course before
pr Greeley saw him. Ii Is almost
certain that iut for thc carncst efforts
ui Dr Greeley a separate Vote would
uol have hccn allowed. so great ws,,
the desire in Virginia 30 rcesiablish
civil government that the Constitn-
lion would perhaps have been adopted
20. 10 Wa, framed. Had that been done
threc-iuuFlhs of all state offices would
Ie TILED to-day by the ignqrant blacks
i"r in many couniics there was not a
-n-ie white mSn Who could have "a
IrH the. cath p1es,rincd to iill ANY or
i'c. Ihis c8rtluct of Df. Greeley has
'"d-arrd him very much go liberal
minded Nirsinians, ~ }. San.