Year: 1865

correspondence OF the Daily Commercial


RICHMOND Oct. S, 1865.


The powerful influence of the press has rarely ever
been fully demonstrated than has been in this
State within the last four months When il became
known that Virginia would be permitted during the
tall to elect representatives in Congress- numbers of
prominent citizens and old politicians instantly an
nounced their determination to be voted for for this
position To all far-seeing minds it was apparent
that their election would Illustrate the plans of the
President in his administrative policy, rs bearing
upon the early restoration of the South to the Union
by furnishing the opposers of his policy with an OPP
portunity to make capital out of his leniency to


rebels, as eXemplified in his desire to make the
burdens OF conquered people light as possible,
anu became necessary to use every available means
To make the fact known to the people. Not accus-
toned to observe the least restraint in selecting men
Tor Official positions these asseverations of few in
tellgent men were not credited by the great masses
oi the people, and then followed long discussions and
tedious papers for and against the suggestions to
choose such candidates would be eligible to the
positions to bcGlled. One by the newspapers ofVir
shia dropped into the channel pursued by the Rich
mohd hepubhc, and to-day We are enabled to con-
graduate ourselves upon the withdrawal of Il score
oi candidates who, two months ago, said they in
tended to light it out this line" The voters now
almost unanimously declare their intention to SUP
port SUCH men as nave been most devoted the
Union during the four years of our cstrangement
from the Federal Government; and if Virginia fails
to be heard in the next Congress on account of her
having sent men to represent her who could not be
admitted because of their inability to subscribe to
the Congressional test oath, it will be for want of
such men in our midst for pains have been spared
by the press and the people to secure such repre-
sentatives


1t is almost universally the opinion of farmers in
this State that it will be exceedingly difficult for them
to make crop sufficient to support the population
unless the freedmen work more faithfully The fact
lieved, that they have been laborng under the i'm
preston that the Government intends to help them
by giving them lands &c. This assertion though not
generally believed | have said, is indisputaby
true am convinced, however that this sentimental
conviction has been to some extent eradcated from
their minds and that they have improved little in
their habits With the eradication of this idea how
ever, another which, if it is quite so inim
cal to the interests of the andhOlder is equally as
nadmissable as the other was ridiculous This new
conviction of the freedmen is accepted by them as
right" which is guaranteed by long and faithful
service as slaves. They think now that their former
masters might at least allow them the privilege Of
tling their grounds and divide profits. have heard
the proposition made by them in good aith but until
the equality doctrines of Massachusetts prevail to a
much greater extent in Virginia than at present this
suggestion of the bcwildered freedmen will not be
adopted. POwHATAN