Augusta County: Henry A. Wise to Alexander H. H.
Stuart, February 8, 1869
Summary:
Henry A. Wise, former Governor of Virginia (1856-1860) and Confederate brigadier
general, writes again to Alexander H. H. Stuart. In a recent letter (February 2,
1869), Wise requested that Stuart confirm the report of a speech recently given
by Stuart in Staunton (see the Valley Virginian, January 28, 1869). Stuart's
comments appeared to be critical of Governor Wise. This letter is a reply to
Stuart's response (February 5, 1869). Clearly put out with Stuart, Wise explains
his own actions and warns Stuart to "seek better company" the next time he
visits Washington, D.C.
Hon. A. H. H. Stuart
February 8th 1869
Richmond Va.
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 5th inst. is red. The Report of your speech, an extract of which I sent you, certainly made "injurious reflections" upon me, and contained matter "personally offensive." This, now, you fully disclaim; and, of course, I understand you as not approving or sanctioning the Report.
You know that Mr. Wells & myself are extreme antipodes. If he opposes the
"New Movement" for reasons of his own, I oppose it for reasons opposite to his
own. I oppose both
Evils, and he one, and it is
hard for me to say which is worst. If yours be the better of the two, the worst may, perhaps, be most
easily escaped from. I will take neither. Either must be forced upon me, and I will not only contest it for
life, but have the contest to be carried out by my heirs forever. I dont hold to
your logic that it follows that the Enquirer & I must be wrong "because
of the association we were thrown into." - We have been thrown into no
association whatever with Mr. Wells. The Enquirer & I are doing, what
you
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were doing but very lately, opposing both Wells
and Negro Suffrage. You and he are now both
advocating it, and you have joined him in yielding to the wisdom of Congress the
whole "organic law" of this old State; and the Enquirer & I are
continuing our opposition to you both.
But, if "Noscitur a Sociis" is to be the test, and you dont desire to be judged by your companions, let me tell you there are worse people than Wells to beware of - people who are not Wells nor Wises - and you had better seek better company when you next visit Washington. Your very mission there throws you necessarily into bad "association, I say this in the most fair & friendly spirit of a comrade who by signing the Ordinance of Secession with you, on the 17th June 1861, counseled the people of Augusta to fight for their Constitutional Liberty and for their rights of Self-Government.
Yours respectfully
Henry A. Wise
