The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1872-06-07
S0UTHERNER'S OPINION OF
GRANT.
Letter from Brother of Gen Eweil-
why he urges Virginia 10 vote fOl
the Reelection of Grant.

1
Col. Benjamin S. Ewell, President
of the College of William and Mary,
Virginia, has written letter strongly
favoring the reelection of President
Grant. He is n brother of the late
Gen. Ewell, and was Gen. Joe. f.
Johnston's Adiutant General during
the rebellion. We give the following
extracts from his letter:
1t was my conviction in 1868, that
the election of a President, opposed
by decided majorities OF both houses
OF Congress, would serve no purpose
but TO increase the i'll feeling and dis
quietude that followed like condi-
tiOn of affairs during Mr.. Johnson's
administration, and, perhaps, to pave
the way tor more serious disorders
and uneasiness. IL was also my con-
yiction that an assured and peaceful
Union was a necessity to the people
of Virginia, and as much 50 to those
of the Southern States. Then, too, /
had Implicit confidence IN General
Grants earnest wish to shave peace,'
in his good will, and in his patriotism.
This confidence originated in the
terms given at Appomattox Court
House, to his great opponent and the
battered remnant of that brave army
that bad staked its all upon cause
for which it was "no more to combat
or to bleed" and that had so long re-
sisted his legions. These terms that
"each officer and man will be allowed |
to return to his home not to be dis
turbed by United States authority so
long as they observe their paroles and
the laws in force where they reside"
are without precedent in the history
OF all such struggles for their liberality,
and were as wise as liberal, for while
they effectually terminated the con-
test they protected those who sur
rendered from the legal consequences
OF waging war against the govern
ment, and probably saved from execu-
ton or Imprisonment Lee and scores
of his gallant associates.
1t seems to me that since the return
If peace General Grants aim has been
% relieve the Southern people to the
'xtent of his ability, attempting moth
ng which the controlling power Of I
he North would not allow; and this
vas expedient as well as necessary.
That he has not accomplished all that !
vas hoped for or expected, perhaps, i
5 true; but it was simply impossible. I
lis favorable and friendly report on I
he condition OF the South, made as |
General commanding the armies of l
he United States, that excited the
ensure of some members of his own {
'arty, is an illustration. c
The fact that "Virginians now rule v
Virginia" is one result of General /
irant's sympathy and good feeling v
or the State and people and his &C J.
i've interference in their behalf. 8
Virginia is The only State whose re- v
atoms to the general government
ave been renewed since he became a
he chief executive officer of the ma n
ion. Without his aid the people a
you'd not have been allowed to vote Il
eparately on the offensive and re- t
ected articles of the present constitu il
ion. The whole would have been Il
dopted, and, as a natural conse- S
uence, the State would to-day be no tt
etter off than the worst governed b
outhern State. q
Looking at this, / think / am right e
, asserting that General Grant has v
one more to heal the wounds OF d
-ar than any other one of the great q
olitical party to which he belongs. ts
elieving this, | acknowledge it, and
N ready and wiling to show my ap- L.
recitation and gratitude in any be
oming manner. CT
There is loud cry of corruption tt
yainst the present administration, T
ut l have heard like cryso long; lo
was louder in the days OF Jackson, 81
} much louder that my ears still ring tV
ith its echoes, and so often-it is al OF
ays the battle cry of the ''outs y b,
lat do not put full trust in it or pay lie
uch regard to it. fir
OF the reasons you of the North Ii
i've for supporting General Grant tt
srhaps l ought not to speak, yet / W
i'll say that if military successes ever to
crit civil rewards, then is General to
rant entitled to all you can give. b
Excepting the important victory at ie
ettysburg, he was the leader in al a
ost every triumph of the Union th
ms. Fort Donelson. Vicksburg, &C
ith vast stores and upwards OF al
1000 prisoners, Chattanooga and W
Visionary Ridge, and the finale at th
ppomattox Court House, attest this. m
hough the end was reached by fear th
j losses, by the wearing out by at th
itiOn of the Southern armies, yet OF
lch losses were required to disorgan. pl
e and overcome such armies. 1t was cs
leir only modeot ending the war, for ol
ld the morale and organization OF the CT
oniederate armies not been thus de- tt
royed, war would now exist That A
lr country has been spared from so fr
ontinued calamity all should rejoice; b.
nd trusting have not worn out your fC