The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-10


"a Republican,, has written an open letter
to his constituents giving an account OF
what he saw on his recent visit to Rich
mond, and the impressions he derived there
from. 1t is as follows:
TO MT CONSTITUENTS.
WASHINGTON, D. c., November 3, 1877.
The difference of opinion existing among
Republicans with regard to the course pur-
sued by the President towards the South
gives, as T think, peculiar and unusual value
TO all events there with which he is in any
wav connected, and to all observations OF
the popular feeling growing out OF the
disposition he has manifested toward that
section of the country. l had the plea
sure OF accompanying the President and
those OF the Cabinet who attended him
on their recent visit to Richmond,
and was so deeply impressed by what
saw then that feel under obligations to
give an account OF it for the benefit OF
those who are interested in the work now
going on for the permanent pacification OF
the country. I have no desire to express
any opinions with regard to the aspect OF
affairs as presented to my mind, and think
to the minds Of all who were present on
that occasion; nor am engaged in an ar
gument for or against any past or present
southern policy. feel called upon to state
facts alone, and to have every man who reads
them to draw his own inference.
The journey of the President to Rich
mond was remarkable for the cordially
with which he was received byall assem-
blies and individuals with whom he was
brought in contact. He traverSed a coun-
try battle-scarred in every direction. The
heights Of Fredericksburg, the house in
which Stonewall Jackson died, Aqua
creek, the approach to Richmond-all
brought back with deep intensity the memo
ries of the war, moving the pride OF victory
and the bitterness Of defeat. But all these
memories were evidently subdued by
the event OF the day, and without re-
gret over the delay, without DISPOSE
ton to discuss the past, without re-
Elections on one side and the other, the peo-
.ple welcomed the Chief Magistrate of
country in which all evidently realized that
they had an equal interest. The same spirit
was manifested by the committee OF the city
government OF Richmond, composed, as |
understood, of men of different opinions,
but all united in the belief that sectional
conflicts should be buried, for time at
least, beneath common civilization based
on the equal rights OF all citizens under the
law.
The reception Of the President at Rich
moud was equally cordial. l expected to
! find, or had been told rather that should
| find, an air of triumph ON one side and
corresponding air OF depression on the
other; that those who had opposed tne
election OF the President would proudly
and complacently claim that he had been
| captured by them, and that those who sup
ported his election would indicate in an I'm.
mistakable manner that their rights had
been surrendered. But / saw nothing OF
this. Gratitude for something which the
President had done seemed to ill the
minds OF all, and to rise superior to
every other thought aud feeling. should
not have known that there were diff
ferent races, or different parties, or that
there had ever been other social rela"
tons than those now existing, from any
thing saw and heard there. The streets
were thronged by grateful people. From
the windows OF the best residences he re-
ceived warm welcome. The warehouses
were draped with the American flag in
honor OF his presence. The colored popu-
latlon, who were also represented in the
military escort, followed the procession in
crowds, and eagerly sought the hand Of the
President and that or Mrs. Hayes, express.
ing in most earnest terms their thanks for
an era Of good feeling, in which they were
delighted to share, evidently believing that