The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-10-27
Gen. Longstreet.

Gen. LOngSGr66t.
We see it stated that the name OF Gen.
Longstreet is being pressed upon President
Arthur for cabinet appointment. We
hope it may be the pleasure OF the President
to favorably consider the petition. No one
more broadly represents the higher type OF
the Confederate soldier, and at the same
time the advanced thought OF the country,
than James Longstreet. He may be. re-
garded as a political sign board, Indicating
in his history since the close of hostilites.
the progress of ideas and influences in the
Southern States. When he accepted posi-
ton under the administration OF Gen.
Grant in 1869, he was denounced and yilli-
tied as traitor to his section as never was
man before or since. Conrageonsly adj
herring to his convictions and continuing in
the even tenor 9th way, public sentiment
begins now to recognize the wisdom of his
had been generally followed in the South
ern States and the invitation of Gen.
Grant to participate in the administration
of government, STIMULATING. as condition
suits of war, accepted, the South would
now be much in advance of her present ma
teral condition. Gen. Longstreet had been
one of the ablest and most trusted officers
Of the military arm of the Confederate
government. When the wager of battle
had been decided against his section, he at
once determined to abide. in good faith, by
the result, and to conform his political ac-
The surrender of the armies of the South
carried with it, logically, the surrender OF
the ideas which these armies had been mar
shalled to defend 1t was no time for sui
and in this sense Gen. Longstreer accepted
the proffered position from President Grant,
hoping, by his example, to gradually edu-
cate public sentiment to a recognition OF
policy best adapted to the peace and pro-
gress of all the Southern states. The de-
clared object of Gen. Grant in rendering to
Gen. LongsLreet, then of Louisiana. and
positions under the National Government.
simply on the condition Of honestly accept
ing the situation. was to give assurance to
the Southern people of his kindly intentions
cation which all of our interests so clearly
called for. Time has amply indicated the
motives and the acts of both President
Grant and Gen. Longstreet, and the favor
fore President Arthur in behalf of Gen.
Longstreet, would only emphasize the pol
icy of Gen. Grant and awaken in the more
conservative element of the South a warmer
the administration than would any other
act, or the appointment of any other man
to be one of the official family of the Pres
ldent.
There may be other Southern Republi-
cans, whose names have been suggested for
the recognition in question, but we do not
believe there can be another found who's e
appointment would mean so much or be so
pregnant of conservative and healthful in
fluence. Gen. Longstreet is not, in the
common acceptance of the term, politi-
clan. He is conservative in all of his make
up; broad in his comprehension, sagacious
in his forecast, and able in his deliberations
and conclusions. He would make a safe
and wise constitutional adviser; represent
the better interests of the South, aud re-
fleet the sentiment of the best element of
the Republican party of his section, while
inspiring the respect and confidence Of fair
mel the country over.