Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-05-24
WILLIAMSBURG, Va, May IS, 1872.


WILLIAMSBURG, Va, May Is, 1872.
DEAR S1Rt In compliance with your reduestI
here repeat the substance of our conversation
on the last, and approaching, presidential cleo
tons, though do not suppose MY opinions ON
such subjects are worthy OF attention Or repetis
non, tou expressed some astorishment when
l informed you that in 1868 | was favorable TO
Ten Grants election to the presidency of the
United States, and was as decidedly in favor of
ms reeleotoha will again give my reasons for
this preference.
IL was my conviction, in 1868, that the cleo
ton OF president, opposed by decided maiori-
ties by both houses of congress-, would serYe nd
purpose but to infrease The ilEfeeling and dis
duietrde that followed like condition of affairs
during Mr. Johnson'S administration, and per-
haps, 10 pave the way for more serious disorders
and nneasiness. 1t was also fly tunFctjr that
an assured and peaceful Union was a neces-
Sity to the people of Virginia. and as
much so to those of the other southern states
Whatever tended, directly OF indirectly: to pro
uuce undue eAclieuient, and theilce, possibly
revolution, deprecated as the greatest evil that
could bciall this country. agreeing with Bulwer
that "a cause which the nofleSt allow to be good
and Which, wheh successful, ali TIME approves
may seem TO justify the attempt at revolution;
yet recalling now all the evil passions it exciteS
all the ties it dissolyes, all the blood it com
niandS to flow, all the healthful industry il ar.
rests, all the madmeu it arms. al the Victims
that 1t dupes, | question 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 vic
tory was certain; aye and the object for which
he fights was not to be wtestled from his hands
amid the uproar of the elements that the battle
has aroused" Then, too, | had implicit conf
dence in Gen. Grants earnest wish to 'have
peace, in his good will, and in his patriotism
This confidence originated in the terms he gave
M Apupma hnf so tn Iis
nent and the battered remnant of that brave
army that had staked its all upon cause for
which it was mo more to combat OF to bleed
and that had so long resisted his legiOns These
terms, that leach officer and man will be allow
ed TO return TO his home, not to be disturbed by
the United States authority so long as they oh
serve their paroles and the laws in force where
they reside, are without precedent in the his.
tory of all such struggles for their liberality,
and were as wise as liberal, for while they
effectually terminated the contest they protected
those who surrendered from the legal conSe=
quences OF waging war against the government.
and probably saved from execution or impriS-
Onment Lee and scores of his gallant associates
The effect of these terms, as stated in Gen.
Grants report of the closing operation of the
war, was THAT Gen. Lees great influence
throughout the south caused his example to be
followed, and, to-day, the result is that the
armies lately under his leadership 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, 1.-THE eastern and western United
States armtes) "hope for perpetual peace and
harmony with that enemy whose manhood
however mistaken the cause, drew forth such
herculean deeds of valor.' 4 tribute most
grateful TO the devoted men composing the
southern armies aud most honorable to its au.
thor.
1t seems to me that since the return of peace
Gen. Grants aim has been to relieve the south.
ern people to the extent of his ability ATTEMPT
ing nothing which the controlling power of the
north would not allow, and this was expedient
as well as necessary. That lie has not accom-
plished all that was hoped for or expected per-
hapS is true; but it was simply impossible
His favorable and friendly report on the condi.
ton of the south, made az general commanding
the armies of the United States, that excited the
censure OF some members of his own party is |
an illustration.
The fact that "Virginians now rule Virginia. |
is one result of Gen. Grants sympathy and good |
feeling for the state and people and his active |
interference in their behalf.
Virginia is the only state whose relations TO |
the general government have been renewed |
since he became the chief executive officer of the |
nation. Without his aid the people would not |
have been allowed TO vote separately on the /
offensive and rejected articles of the present con-
stltution The whole would have been adopted /
and, as necessary consequence, the state would |
to-day be no better off than the worst governed
southern state.
Looking at all this, think | am right in as
serting that Gen. Grant has done more to heal
the wounds of war than any other one of the
great political party to which he belongs. Be-
lieYing this, acknowledge it, and am ready and
willing to show my appreciation and gratitude
in any becoming manner. |.
There is a loud cry of corruption against the
admin tim but baya hear ri |
cry so long; it was louder in the DAYS of Jack
IFS echoes and so oftcn-it is always the battle
cry of the "Outs SHAT do not put full trust
in it or pay much regard to it.
One of the reasons you o. the north have for
Gen. Grant perhaps | ought not to
speak, yet | will say that if military successes
,ver merit civil rewards then is Gen. Grant en-
titled to all You can give.
Excepting the important victory at Gettvs-
)urg, he was the leader in almost every triumph |
IF the Union arms. Fort Donelson, Vicksburg,
With vast stores and upward of 10000 prisoners |
and Mission Ridge, and the finale |
ut Appomattox Court House, 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 disor-
ganiZe and overcome such armies lit was 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 con-
tinued a calamity all should rejoice; and trust
ing / have not worn out your patience | re-
main yours sincerely, BENZ, s. EwELL.