National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-03-06

Congress were firm in their support Of that
party are now not lukewarm, but opposed to II.
The attempt to weaken. aud to degree
break and destroy tho equilibrium OF govern
mont, by cocrcing one Of the three coordinate
branches Of II, startled great many thinking
mon. Men remember now that at the time
they wondered aud werd In doubt If tho pros
ent incumbent had the moral courage to stand
firm and resist They also remember that
they felt then wish that General Grant had
been the Executive. White mon thought and
felt this, not negroes. Democratic white men,
md not Republicans only, not by tens or
twontics, hut by hundreds, here in this south
side section Of Virginia, said then and say
now that they prefer tho cool, firm mind the
brave. patriotic heart and strong arm of Grant
to Congressional or any other mob
The colored people, when they arc asked
whom they prefer aud who they intend to
vote for-Grint, Blaine or Shormnu-look at
You with bright smile and say, General
Grant, of COURSE" and this without exception.
Tho intelligent reading ones, aud there are
hundreds cf them here, as well rs tho most
illiteratc, ignorant negro In tho fold, unhesi-
tatiugly say the same. The labOrina class of
white men and the entcrprising young men
who have no political aspirations say, 81 have
boon voting with tho Democrats, but cannot
go with them in their bitter partisan strife
aud opposition any more"
This feeling aud tho belief that sectionulism
was retarding tho growth of the State more
than anything else originated the Liberal
movement called the Readjuster party IN Vir.
gnia.
The manly attempt on the part of tho
leaders of that party in the LEGISLATURE to
havo repealed all the partial partisan class
legislation Of the lust eight or nino years,
has won the regard and esteem of all Repub.
licans; and whether The Federal oiiice-hOlders
do 50 or not, the mass of Republicans In this
section will coalGsco aud vote with the Re.
ndjusters If they support Grant, aud Rcpub-
lican convention at Stnunton made up of the
collectors, postmastciS, gaugors of whisky
and deputy nurshals. will not carry 5000
votes in the State for either Mr.. Blaine or
Mr.. sherman.
1t is but just to state that John Sherman
stands very fair and high with the white
citizcns, especially among intelligent trading
and commercial men. He is regarded rs less
OF politician aud more Of n solid statesman
than Blaine, and would bo next choice after
Grant.
You meet every day on the streets in their
stores OF Offices, or ont on tho roads or oh tho
plantations, oX.COnlcdcraro officers aud sol.
diurs, MS well MS those who were not, who say:
II shall vote for General Grant if he is o cam
didato, but II was in his place nothing could
Induce me to accept it, lie is to-day the first
lrlVa'o citizen III tho world; he cannot add a
cubt TO his nalne or lsm", and lie may lose
something Able men say: II should like to
see him President again, all the third-turm
sentimental twaddlo to tho contrary notwith-
standing, and shall vote for him gladly ii he
is n candidate, but shall feel on his own ac.
count regrclful, for he caunot be greater than
lie Is, aud II would bs so great n pity to have
the harmony cf so great character disturbed
by ugly, unforeseen events. Yes, his election
would be Il great thing for the South, aud
should like to see him President" Hundreds
of mon here IN this section say this who voted
for Greeley, and boldly say: If could swal.
low Greeley, why not Grant-an abler, kinder,
truer, tirmor, hrnver mauY"
Even tho so-callGd stalwart or strong Demo-
cratic politicians prefer Grant to Sherman or
Blaine. They dread him more as u possible
candidate, but Of tho three would greatly pre-
fer Grant as President, aud if the Republicans
cOalosce with tho Readjusters, Us l feel sure
they will, the electoral vote of tho State will
bc cast for Grant, and thorc will probably be
thrco Republican, three RcNdjuster aud three
Democratic members of Congress And this
you can make note of as coming from an ex-
Confederate REPUBLICAN,.