Gilleh F. Watson and J. M. Humphreys to Thaddeus Stevens, 5 December 1865.
The document is a letter written from a committee of correspondence from Virginia to Thaddeus Stevens. It gives several reasons why Virginia is not ready for a restoration of civil rights. In the elections of 1864, rebels were chosen over Union candidates. The legislative body elected a confederate colonel as Speaker over a conservative gentleman. The newspapers were predominantly Rebel controlled. The writers are concerned about allowing Virginia into the Union without answering the unsolved questions that remained after the Civil War was over.
Union League of Virginia,
Council no. 1,
Richmond, Dec. 5 1865.
Hon Thad. Stevens:Honored Sir: Having been appointed a committee of correspondence by our Loyal League, we take pleasure in addressing you, as one of the leading men of the nation, and in calling your attention to a few facts, which we think clearly shew that Virginia is not yet prepared for restoration of civil rights.
Your attention has doubtless been called to the elections in this city and State, since the surrender of Lee’s army, and you could not have overlooked the animous exhibited in those elections. In every instance avowed Rebels have been chosen over Union candidates; and in one instance the President had the election set aside (that of Mayor) because the choice of the people was a Rebel officer. This spirit is as rampant with the people to-day as ever, and is being exhibited in the General Assembly, now in session.
On the organization of that body, yesterday, Col. John B. Baldwin[1] was elected Speaker, over a conservative gentleman--and we believe for the reason that he was a member of the Confederate Convention and Congress, the aid of Gov. Letcher to muster the Virginia militia into the Confederate service, and afterwards a Confederate Colonel. Mr. Baldwin is a man of ability--was an old line Whig, and opposed Secession before the war commenced--but when Virginia entered the arena of strife, he pitched headlong into the fight, and no man then surpassed him in violence.
In the Senate Capt [Wirt?] Harrison was elected Sergeant at Arms over Mr. Thompson, the old incumbent, his great recommendation being that he fought against the U.S. Government. Clerks, doorkeepers, all were chosen for their rebellious proclivities, over men of Union sentiments--thus shewing that the old Adam still liveth, and that the General Government will have other troubles with this people as soon as the military power is removed.
We represent the loyal people of this section, many of whom have fought and bled, and lost their all in defence of the Stars and Stripes. Are these men to be turned over to an excited and infuriated mob, by the U.S. Representatives? Or, are the Rebels to be held in check till their passions have subsided, and they have had their constitutions and laws amended to conform to the requirements of Congress? Is it not the imperative duty of Congress to see the amended laws of Virginia before admitting her Representatives to seats? Are the loyal citizens--the Freedmen--the national debt--the Confederate debt--all to be left open questions, to be acted upon as the Rebels may feel inclined? Are the leaders of the Rebels to become leaders in Reconstruction? These are questions that hold at bay the vitality of the Union, and should be settled satisfactorily, before any national privileges (we have forfeited all rights) are granted.
Virginia is no more fit for Union legislation now, than she was in 1863. Six of the seven presses of this city are Rebel organs, and the leading ones are living on their rebellious reputations of the past. What are the friends of the Union to gain by hurriedly taking into fellowship these disorganized hordes? Nothing. Better would it be for Congress to say to these people “We will manage your political affairs till your passions cool. You can go to work on your farms, in your stores and elsewhere, and restore shattered fortunes, and when you are ready to elect Union members of Congress and of the Legislature--when you have passed Union laws, and adopted a Union constitution, we will give you Union representation, but not till then.” Let this course be adopted--let Gen. Butler be sent here with plenary powers, as military Governor, and Virginia will become herself again. Any other course, in our oponion, will lead to trouble, anarchy and confusion.
Very Respectfully Yours
Gilleh F Watson Chairman
J M Humphreys
Committee of Correspondence
[1] "John Brown Baldwin(1820-1873) "An earnest supporter of the Union, during 1860 he worked indefatigably for peace and was elected to the state convention of 1861 as a Unionist. He voted against the ordinance of secession and was a member of the Union delegation which went to Washington and interviewed President Lincoln, but when secession had been ratified by the people of Virginia he decided that his duty lay with his state. He was elected representative from Augusta County to the first Confederate Congress, being reelected to the second Congress and serving until the conclusion of the war. In October of 1865 he was elected to the House of Delegates under postwar government and was chosen speaker. In this capacity he showed exceptional ability and the rules of procedure which he evolved are still in use, being known as 'Baldwin's Rules.'"
--Boatner, Mark Mayo, III. The Civil War Dictionary. David McKay Company, Inc.: New York, 1959.(benson/HST41/blue/stevens3.htm)