New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-30
The south and Grant.
Letter From Colonel Ewen.
WILLIAMSBURG, VA, May IL, 1872.

quest here repeat the substance OF our con-
yersation on the last, and approaching, Presi-
dental elections, though do nots suppose my
opinions ON such subjects are worthy OF at
tention or repetition. You expressed some
establishment when / informed you that in
1868 / was favorable to General Grants
election to the Presidency OF the United
States, and was as decidedly in favor of his
reelection. 81 will, again, give my reasons
for this preference.
1t was my conviction, in 1868, that the
election of President, opposed by decided
maiorities of both Houses Of Congress, would
serve no purpose but to increase the ill-feel-
ing and disquietude that followed like con-
dtion of affairs during MIR. Johnson's admin
istration, and, perhaps, to pave the way for
more serious disorders and uneasiness. 1t
was also my conviction that an assured and
peaceful Union was necessity to the peO-
pie of Virginia, and as much so to those of
the other Southern States. Whatever tended
directly or indirectly, to produce undue ex-
element, and thence, possibly, revolution,
deprecated as the greatest evil that could be-
fall this country, agreeing with Bulwer, that
ga cause, which the nOblest allow to be good,
and which, when successful, all time APP
proves, may seem to justify the attempt at a
revolution yet recalling now all the evil
passions it eXcites, all the ties it dIssolves,
all the blood it commands to flow, all the
hcalthful industry it arrests, all the madmen
it arms, all the victims that it dupes, | ques-
ton whether one man really honest, pure,
and humane, who has once gone through
such an ordeal would ever hazard it again.
unless he was assured that victory was GER
tain; aye, and the object for which he fights
was not to be wrestcd from his hands amidst
the upr0ar of the elements that the battle
has aroused" Then, too, l had implicit con-
fdence in General Grants earnest wish to
'have peace" in his good will, and in his
patriotism. This confidence originated in the
terms he gave at Appomattox Courthouse to
his great opponent and the battered remnant
of that brave army that had staked its all
upon cause for which it was "no more to
combat or to bleed" and that had so long
resisted his legiOns. These terms, that "each
officer and man will be allowed to return to
his home, not to be disturbed by the United
States authority so long as they observe their
paroles and the laws in force where they re-
side," are without a precedent in the history
OF all such struggles for their liberality, and
were as wise as liberal, for while they eflec-
tually terminated the contest they protected
those who surrendered from the legal cOnse-
quence of waging war against the Govern
ment, and probably saved from execution or
Imprisonment Lee and scores of his gallant
associates.
The effect of these terms, as stated in
General Grants report of the closing opera
ton of the war, was "that General Lees
great influence throughout the South caused
his example to be followed, and, to-day, the
result is that the armies lately under his lead
ership are at their homes, desiring peace and
quiet, and their arms are in the hands Of our
ordnance officers.
In the closing sentence of this report he
pays to the Southern troops so lately in arms
against his own the following tribute
Let them (the Eastern and Western
U. S. arnies) hope for perpetual peace and
harmony with that enemy whose manhood,
however mistaken the cause, drew forth such
hercuean deeds of valor." A tribute most
grateful to the men composing the Southern
armies, and most honorable to its author.
1t seems to me that since the return of
peace General Grants aim has been to re-
lieve the Southern people to the extent of
his ability, attempting nothing which the
controlling power of the North would not
allow; and this was expedent as well as
necessary. That he has not accomplished
all that was hoped for or expected, perhaps,
is true but it was simply impossible. His.
favorable and friendly report on the condi-
ton of the South, made as "A general COM
handing the armies of the United States,
that excited the censure of some members of
his own party, is an illustration.
The fact that 'Virgnians now rule Vir-
ginia," is one result of General Grants SYM
pathy and good feeling for the State and
people, and his active interference in her be-
half.
Virginia is the only State whose relations
to the General Government have been re-
newed since he became the chief executive
off nf no old fIa
people would not have been allowed to vote
separately on the offensive and rejected arti-
Giles of the present constitution. The whole
would have been adopted, and as a necessary
consequence the State would to-day be no
better off than the worst governed Southern
State.
Looking at all this, 1 think am right in
asserting that General Grant has done more
to heal the wounds of war than any other
one of the great political party to which he
belongs. Believing this l acknowledge it,
and am ready and willing to show my APP
probation and gratitude in any becoming
manner.
There is a loud cry of corruption against
the present Administration, but have heard
like cry so long; it was louder in the days
of Jackson, so much louder that my ears still
ring with its echoes, and 50 often-it is al
ways the battle-cry of the "Outs"-that l
do not put full trust in it, or pay much regard
to it.
OF the reasons you of the North have for
supporting General Grant, perhaps | ought
not to speak, yet will say that if military
successes ever merit civil rewards then is
General Grant entitled to all you can give.
Excepting the important victory at Gettys-
burg, he was the leader in almost every tri-
umph of the Union arms. Fort Doneson,
Vicksburg, with vast stores and upwards of
10000 prisoners, Chattanooga and Mission
AIRY Ridge, and the finale at Appomattox
Courthouse, attest this. Though the end
was reached by fearful losses, by the wearing
out by attrition of the Southern armies, yet
such losses were required to disorganize and
overcome such armies. TWAS the only mode
Of ending the war, for had the morale and
organization of the Confederate armies not
been thus destroyed, war would now exist.
That our country has been spared from so
continued a calamity all should rejoice; and
trusting l have not worn out your patience,
| remain yours, sincerely,
BENZ. S. EwELL.
Grant I'm Illinois.