An Alliance

Rumors swell of a coalition between the Wells Radicals and the Walker True Republicans in hopes of gaining a majority and electing Lewis or Stearns as Senators.

A Washington telegram in the New York Herald says : "There is talk of a coalition between the Wells Radicals and the Walker True Republicans in the General Assembly for the election of senators. The latter say they can count thirty-eight members, which, added to the Wells Radicals, would make ninety-two on joint ballot for the coalition, and give it a majority of two over the Conservatives. By this means they think they would secure the election of either Lieu-tenant-Governor Lewis or Mr. Franklin Stearns, who are looked upon with favor by all factions of Republicans, and are quite acceptable even to the Conservatives." What nonsense. There is nobody in the Legislature Legislature Who has any insuperable objection to the election of Lewis or .Stearns unless it be the Radicals. Both of these gentlemen are True Republicans ; both voted for Walker. Sterns nominated Walker. Lewis ran on the ticket with him for Lieu-tenant-Governor. If the Radieals are willing to unite on them, they have more sense and patriotism than we had given them credit for.

“An Alliance,” Reconstructing Virginia, accessed June 1, 2023, https://reconstructingvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1517.