Augusta County: Alexander H. H. Stuart to Henry A.
Wise, February 5, 1869
Summary:
Alexander H. H. Stuart responds to the recent letter of Henry A. Wise (February
2, 1869), who requested that Stuart confirm the report of a speech recently
given by Stuart in Staunton (see the Valley Virginian, January 28, 1869). Stuart
supported the "New Movement" seeking to accept black suffrage in order to
restore peace in Virginia. His comments appeared to be critical of Governor
Wise. Also see Wise's response (February 8, 1869).
Hon Henry A. Wise
Feby 5th 1869
Staunton
Dear Sir
Your letter of 3rd inst was received last night & I hasten to answer it.
After quoting some passages from a publication in the Valley Virginian, of what purports to be the substance of a speech made by me to the people of Augusta on the 28th ult. you ask whether the report is in substance correct or whether it is approved or sanctioned by me -
The speech to which you refer was altogether extemporaneous, without the aid of any note or memorandum & therefore I cannot pretend to recall the language used by me on that occasion - I presume, however, that the general outline of the speech is correctly given, but the report is too meagre & imperfect to furnish an accurate presentation of what I said -
Presuming that the purpose of your letter is to ascertain what I said in relation
to your own comments in regard to the movement, which was the subject of
discussion, I proceed to state it as nearly as
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I can, in the language
which I used
After adverting to the opposition which has made to the movement, & the
criticism which has been indulged in, in regard to the course pursued by the
gentlemen connected with it, I referred to the opposite quarters from which more
criticism came - I stated that while we were in Washington we found ourselves
between two fires, one in front & the other in the rear, & that
these fires proceeded from parties holding the most antagonistic opinions,
& having the most diverse objects in view - one party desiring the
adoption of the Underwood Constitution, whilst the other was unalterably opposed
to it - Thus while Gov Wells and his committee were assailing our proposition in
Washington, Gov Wise & others, were attacking it at home - Thus extremes
seemed to meet, & the singular spectacle was presented, of Gov Wells
& Gov Wise, who probably held no other opinion in common, pulling
together as it were in the same team, in opposition to our scheme I also
referred to the fact that the Richmond Enquirer & radical Journal,
which, on all other questions, were the antipodes of each other, were
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yet in accord, in opposing our measure; & that George Rye, Yankee
Allen, & Dr Bayne, found coadjutors even in
Augusta! -
After commenting on this singular union of discordant elements, & the co-operation of persons who were looking to opposite ends, I said that such alliances of men of antagonistic opinions - of carpet-baggers, & fire eaters, would be productive of no good, unless they tended to satisfy the people that our scheme was the true one - I also referred to the fact, that Gov Wise had written five letters, in opposition to the movement, but [added: I said] that I had seen but one of them, & added that I thought the history of the last eight years would prove, that Gov Wise was not a safe councillor in public affairs -
This I believe to be the substance, & as far as I can recall it, the language of that part of my speech which referred to you or your opposition to the plan of the committee, with which I was connected.
Respectfully yours &c
Alex H H Stuart
