Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-05-24


DEAR SiR:-In compliance with your re-
quest here repeat the substance of our con-
versation on the last and approaching Presi-
dental elections, though do not suppose my
opinions on such subjects are worthy Of At
tention or repetition. You expressed some
astonishment when l informed you that in
1868 l was favorable to General Grants elec
ton to the Presidency of the United States,
and was as decidedly in favor of his re- cleo
ton. will, again, give my reasons for this
preference.
1t was my conviction, in 1868, that the elec.
ton of President, opposed by decided ma
jorites of both Houses Of Congress, would
serve no purpose but to increase the i'll. feel
ing and disquietude that followed a like con-
dition of affairs during Mr.. Johnson's admin
istra,ion, and perhaps, to pave the way for
more serious disorders and uneasiuess. 1t
was also my conviction that an assured and
peaceful Union was q necessity to the people
of Virginia, and as much so those of the
other Southern States. Whatever tended
directly or indirectly, to produce undue ex-
citement, and thence, possibly, revolution, I
deprecated as the greatest evil that could be-
fall this country, agreeing with Bulwer, that
"a cause, which the noblest allow to be good,
and which when successful, all time approves,
may seem to justify the attempt at a revolu-
ton; yet recalling now all the evil passions it
excites, all the ties it dissolves, all the blood
it commands to flow, all the healthful indus
try it arrests, all the madmen it arms, all the
victims that it dupes, ques ion whether one
man really honest, ure, and humane who
has once gone through such an ordeal would
ever hazard it again, unless he was assured
that victory was certain; aye, and the object
for which he fights was not to be wrested
from his hands amidst the uproar of the ele-
ments that the battle has aroused" Then,
| had implicit confidence in General Grants
earnest wish to have peace" in his good will,
and in his patriotism. This confidence orisin-
ated 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
mo more to combat or to bleed" and that
has so long resisted his legion. These terms
that leach officer and man will be allowed to
return TO his home not to be disturbed by the
United States authority SO long as they OBJ
serve their paroles and the laws in force where
they reside are without precedent in the
history of all such struggles for their liberali-
ty, and were as wise rs LIBERAL for while they
effectually terminated the contest they pro-
tected those who surrendered from the legal
consequences of waging war against the Gov
ernment, 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 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
United States armies) ''hope for perpetual
peace and harmony with that enemy whose
manhood, how ever mistaken the cause, drew
forth such herculean deeds of valor." A tri-
butte most grateful to the devoted men com
posing the Southern armies, and most honor
able to its author.
1t seems to me that since the return OF
peace General Grants aim has been to relieve
the Southern people to the extent Of his abili-
ty, attempting nothing which the controlling
power of the North would not allow and
this was expedient well necessary. That
he had not accomplished all that WAS hoped
for or expected. perhaps, is true; but it was
simply impossible. His favorable and friend
| ly report on the condition of the South, msde
as general commanding the armies of the
United States, that excited the censure Of
some members of his own party, is an illus
tration.
The fact that "Virgnans now rule Vir-
pinia" is one result of General Grants sym
pathy and good feeling for the State and
people and his active interference in their be-
half.
Virginia is the only State whose relations
to the General Government have been re-
new ed since he became the chief executive
officer of the nation. Without his aid the
| A., tuy oil Nj
separately on the offensive and reject articles
of the present constitution The whole would
have been adopted, and as a necessary con-
sequence 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-
lieving this, acknowledge it, and am ready
and willing to show my appreciation and graf
itude 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 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 l 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 Ti-
Imph of the Union arms Fort Donslson,
Vicksburg, with vast stores and upward: Of
30 600 prisoners, Chattanooga ana Mission
ary Ridge. and the finale at Appomaffox court
house. attest this Though the end was
reached by fearful losses, by the wearing out
by attrition of the Southern armies, ye' such
no,na smch armies. 1t was the only mode Of
endine the war, for had the morale and or
saniza,ion of the confederate armies not been
fhus DESTROYED, war would now exist. That
our country has been spared from so contn-
ned a calamity all should rejoice; and trust
| ing have not worn out your patience, re-
main yours sincerely,