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Political excitement is on the increase - and a great amount of prejudice exists among the whites tward those who belong to the "Loyal League" and the "Radical Party" 

I have heard many whites say that they think that there will be "another war" (!) especially since the Military Bill has passed which provides for the arming of the loyal militia of those states lately admitted to the Union, as well as those of the North 

I am certain that the platform of the late Democratic Natl Convention & especially the "Blair" letter has given the whites of this section to believe that the reconstruction acts of Congress will be set aside should Seymour & Blair be elected, and [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] this they appear to be certain will occur - and they even go so far as to say that even though the state of Va is not admitted to the Union before the Presidential election that in accordance with the views of the present executive of teh U.S. the electorial vote of Va shall be counted. 

The hostility tward Congress is on the increase daily.

The loyal people of my Division earnestly desire that all those who cannot take the test oath should be displaced & those who can be put in their places I admit this would greatly strengthen the Union men and would do very well if men enough to fill the offices could be found who are competant & could take the oath referred to. There are some men who 

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Transcription Notes:
General Francis (Frank) Blair & Horatio Seymour ran for President (Democratic Party) in 1868