Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-10-08

impose on us the Underwood Constitution, as
it was called, with all its acknowledgements and
test-oaths in full force. GDespondency pervaded
the minds Of the people. and all hope seemed
to have fed.
just at this crisis, the new movement was
inaugurated, by a handful of gentlemen, who
met in Richmond, for that purpose, on 3lst
December, 1868. nthe lst January, 1862 the
much abused COMMITTEES of Nine" was APP
pointed, of which / was chairman On 2ud
January, 1859, returned to Staun.on, deep
ly impressed with sense of the Importance
and soiemnty, of the duties which had been
.deyolved upon us, and the apparent hopeless
ness Of good results.
On the day after my return, I assumed the
responsibility Of addressing letter to Mr..
Greeley, with whom, many years ago, had
slight personal acquaintance La this letter, l
explained to Mr. Greeley the purposes which
iEg them into effect. [ also invited him to meet
the committee in Washington, to give US the
| benefit of his counsel
| To this letter Mr.. Greeley promptly replied,
expressing his cordial concurrence in the OBJ
| jects OF our mission to Washington, and pro-
missing his active cooperation, through the
columns Of the Tribune He added that in
consequence of business engagements, he could
not meet Us in Washington, and stated that it
need be no cause Of regret, as he believed he
could serve US more efectually. through his pa
per 10 New York, than by his personal presence
| in Washington.
| And most nobly did he redeem his promise |!
| believe that not number of the Tribune was
issued, during our sojourn In Washington,
which did not contain an able and eloquent ap-
peal to Congress and the President in behalf of
/ the relief sought by Virginia. In my opinion
we were indebted, in larger measure, to Horace
Greeley, than to any other man, for the success
which crowned our efforts.
At the time [ addressed my letter to Mr..
| Greeley. there was nothing in our relations,
which would have justified an appeal to him on
personal grounds. | trusted, entirely, to his
large-hearted beneyolence and sense Of justice
to q stricken people, | believed that he was
fair-minded and generous. and the result prov
ed that was not mistaken.
i. This movement in Virginia was the aren't
of the National liberal movement which has
placed Mr.. Greeley before the country as can
didate for its highest honor 1t touched a
chord in the popular heart which promptly
vibrated through the whole union and yielded
sweet music of sympathy peace and fraternity.
| There seems to be a sort of poetic justice that
the man who was first to respond to the appeal
Of Virginia for Cancellation and goodwill
should now be called on to take the lead in the
great liberal movement, which is but an alnpli-
| foation OF the measures inaugurated by Virgin
la. And it would be strange anomaly, if Vir-
g;nia should now hesitate to render generous
support to the man who was the first to offer to
her helping hand.
make this statement in justice to MIR. Gree
ley, and to show to the people of Virginia
who have never been unmindfu of the obliga-
tions Of gratitude that MIR. Greeley has a
strong and peculiar claim to their favor and
confidence. Very respectfully,
Your ob't sery't.
| ALEX. Fl. II. STUART.