The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-03-05
] The Committee Of Mine.

The Committee Of Mine.
Hon. A. Ell. II. Stuart hasadaressed COM
munication to N. B. Meade, Esq, editor Of
the Richmond Wing, 10 response to one
from that gentleman, giving detailed ac-
count of the rise and progress Of the Com
mittee Of Nine movement The main facts
are familiar to our readers The connected
statements of Mr. Stuart fully establishes the
origin Of that suggestion to have been with
him. We have never doubted it, and as we
have before stated, the credit should be as
cribed to him., It is quite possible that Mr..
Stuart had read Of the efforts Of Gen. Long
street, in Louisiana, and Judge Orr of South
Carolina, tointerest the white people Of
those States in similar action, and Of their
failure He was also familiar with the Bit
ter desuneiation' of those gentlemen by rea-
son Of their patriotic efforts to save their re.
specsive States
To-day, there is not better abused man
in this country than LongHreet, and We
doubt whether there is level. headed man
anywhere, who will not say that if his ad-
vics had been taken not only in Louisiana,
but throughout the South, much Of the bad
government Of which that section complains
might have BEEN avoided. Mr.. Stuart's ap!
prehensions as to personal denunciation,
doubtless arose from the experience of Long
street and Orr, from whom it is quite posi-
BILE he had borrowed the suggestion that
brought about the Virginia movement. =
The letter Of Mr.. Stuart, is too lengthy
for our columns. crowded as they are. It Is
a candid, connected rehearsal Of facts. From
them it appears that Gen. Grant and Gen.
Longstreet, both were instrumental in favor
ing the purposes had in view, and to the
former must be attributed the consnmmation
Of the result attained. It is singular, with
knowledge of the history of this move
ment, that Mr. Stuart should SO long have
co operated with a party, whose principal
stock in trade has been abuse Of Gen. Grant
and Gen Loogstreet. He is compelled to
acknowledge the indebtedness Of the people
Of Virginia to both Of them. How have
they been repaid, and how has Mr.. Stuart
reciprocated the generous and patriotic ac-
ton OF these gentlemen, who were net per-
sonaly interested in the success Of his
scheme, other than as citizens Of a common
county, seeking to secure the benefits OF
good government to their fellow men. Mr.
Stuart aud the Conservative party Of Viz
ginia have been guilty Of violent breach
| Of good faith, in tie persistent antasonism
they have shown against them ever since,
and while it is due to the truth Of history
that his statement should be made, it will
stand as severe criticism of his own ac-
ton and that Of mis- party, after the end he
sought had been attained mainly through
their instrunentality.
| In the course Of Mr.. stuart's letter, be
reveals the fact that the letter supposed to
have been written by Gen. Boot. E. Lee,
| in 1868, in response to one from Gen. Ro-
senerans. at the White Sulphur Springs,
was really prepared by Mr.. Stuart, at Gen.
Lees request The only change 10 the orgi-
nal draft was the erasure Of the word s'mai
lign," at the suggestion Of Gen Lee. II
will be remembered that this letter has been
regarded as tie basis Of the Committee of
Nine movement, and the similarity ia the
expressions it contains and tho resolutions
Mr. Stuart drew up 10 Richmond, is aocoun-
ted for from the fact that he was the author
OF both. It will also be- remembered that
in the canvass of 1859, this letter purrort-
Jag to have been written by Gen. Lee, was
frequently quoted, and great stress laid upon
it because of its supposed emanation. Mr..
Stuart explodes the mistake, and reveals for
the FIRST time, in print, the fact Of its as
thorship.