Year: 1869

tory 1Or the democracy is clear TO the COM
prehension of all who understand the con-
dition Of affairs in that State. Whether or
not it shall be made so, depends on the fu-
ture. 1t may inure to the benefit of the
Democratic party; or, by wise and prudent
action it may become the occasion and af-
ford foundation of large and powerful
political organization which shall fully ac-
ccpt the logical results of the rebellion, re-
store to the Old Dominion something of what
she madly threw away, and make her what
she should be-a great and glorious Com
monwealth.


There was in Virginia, some two or three
years ago, body of men consisting mainly
of Wings of the Henry Clay school and
few Democrats who had not been smitten
and stnltifed by the theories of Mr.. CAL
houn. These men, though they had en-
gagged in rebellion were opposed to seces-
sion, and regarded with some degree of feel
ing, not to say bitterness, the leaders who
had dragged the State into rebellion. Though
they were conservative, and, of course, timid
and hesitating, they were willing to accept
the situation and the reconstruction act, and
unite on a liberal basis to carry into effect
this policy of Congress, by framing Con-
sttution, organizing a State Government,
and sending men to Washington who could
take the oaths of office.


The Legislature was in session when these
reconstruction acts were passed. Governor
Peirpoint was exceedingly anxious not only
to reconstruct the State, but to build up
Republican party in favor of granting equal
rights to colorcd men, establishing schools
for the education of the children Of both
| o,,l fort ;pto
Some of the strongest men in the State, in
and out of the Legislature, agreed with him,
| and were anxious for n movement of that
character. Consequently, soon after the
passage of the act providing practical plan
for reconstruction, the substance Of which
was prepared by Chief Justice Chase, and
introduced into the Senate by the writer
of this article, Governor Peirpoint, with
about thirty members of the Legislature
of the State, invited the writer to visit Vir
ginia and address the people upon the
policy of reconstruction. He went; and
while there several members OF the Lc@iS-
lature and persons of influence met at the
house of the Governor for consultation Oh
the matter of reconstruction and some prac-
tical plan of uniting those citizens of the
State who were ready to accept the policy
of the General Government. 1t was stated
that there were some forty members of the
Legislature who were ready to join in some
such general movement, and the names Of
several leading men were given who were
ready to participate therein.


! About the middle Of April meeting of
delegates from fifteen or twenty counties
was held at Richmond, Mt which q Republi-
can party was organized and declaration
of principles was put forth. Many, willing
to accept the doctrines promulgated, were
desrous of having a larger meeting, to be
called at later day, at which all parts Of
the State and all persons ready to accept
the reconstruction policy should be repre-
sentcd. Gentlemen were chosen to confer
with a committee appointed by the Republi-
can meeting; and it was confidently be-
lievcd that union was practicable, and that
a convention could be elected and q constitu-
ton framed which would receive the votes
Of large majority of the State. But the
proposition for State convention was re-
jected, and an opportune moment for union
was allowed to pass unimproved.


Another effort still was made TO bring
into harmonious action the friends of recon-
struction, largely aided by those in other
States who were anxious to witness this con-
summation so devoutly to be wished. In
this work the Union League of Philadel-
phia-an organization which has contribu-
ted much to the country and the cause of
liberty-took the lead, and was joined by
the Union League of New York, and the
Reconstruction Club Of Boston. MIR. Charles
Gibbons, one of the leading Republicans of
PENNSYLVANIA Mr.. Boxer, of Philadelphia,
the poet John Jay and Colonel Van Buren,
of New York; Mr.. Francis w. Bird,
Charles w. Slack, and other gentlemen Of
Massachusetts, made pilgrimage to Rich
mond, in the patriotic endeavor of bring
ING into harmonious accord and on
to a common platform the discord-
ant elements of the State. 4 meet
ing was held at the house Of the Governor,
and representatives OF different shades of
opinions-Conservat and Radicals,
whites and blacks-addressed the commit
tee more than five hours, stating their
grievances, and giving full expression to
their views and feelings on the subject. AT
an adjourned meeting the next day the
committee urged the Importance of har-
mony, of mutual concessions and sacrifices
for common cause. They urged the desi'
rableness not only of having Virginia
right, but of having her lead the van in the
great work of southern reconstruction.
They insisted on the vital necessity of union
of the races, and deprecated most earnestly
any division Of parties on the line of race
or color. They declared it to be q matter
of paramount Importance to bring into the
movement all white men who were will
ing to secure equal rights to all. Their
earnest counsels at length prevailed, and
all agreed though some who had defeated
the movement in April did it with evident
reluctance. A union call was agreed to, a
State Convention was held, and though
much precious time had been lost and many
repelled, several gentlemen of large expe-
rience and influence came to Richmond to
attend the meeting. Some who had de-
feated union in April resisted every effort
to bring the people together, and repelled
those who came to Richmond to attend the
union meeting. Indeed, they seemed to
wish to keep the reconstruction party con-
veniently small. Succeeding in keeping
thousands out of the movement who would
have joined, they were among the first to
divide the Republican party, and some of
them gave their votes for Mr.. Walker.


There cannot be shadow of a doubt in
the minds of those acquainted with affairs
in Virginia in the spring and early summer
of 1867 that, had Il wise, earnest, and un-
selfish effort been made at that time, re-
construction party could have been formed
that would have framed liberal constitu-
ton, adopted it, sent delegation to Con-
gress, and given General Grant last year a
majority Of many thousands. There were
then many. thousands of white men in