The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-03


ter. The person taking II must swear in the
most solemn and positive manner that be has
never served voluntarily In the rebel army;
has never held Office under the Confederate
government, and has never, directly or indi-
rectly, given aid or countenance to any of those
who were engaged in the effort to overthrow
the government OF the United States- There
probably is not Southern man of any influence
in the community where he lives, there GER
tainly Is not member elected from the States
recently in rebellion, who can conscientiously
take that oath. It is questionable whether
even the great virginian neutral, John Minor
Bolts, could get over the latter CLAUSE Of it. in
respect TO giving aid or countenance torebels;
for he is said to have dispensed evenhanded
hospitality 10 the officers and soldiers Of which
ever Of the two ARMIES happened ut the time
20 hold possession Of she territory In which bis
estate lies. sss5.
It Is Of very little consequence, therefore,
whether the Clerk of the House does Or does
not inscribe on his list the names Of the mem
bers elect from the rebel States. II he does it
simply gives them q voice in the election OF
Speaker; and, as Mr.. Schuyler C0lfax, who 80
ably filed the duties Of that high position in
the last Congress, is absolutely sure to be
reelected as Speaker, IL matters not whether
Southern members have or have not . chance
to participate in producing that result It ID
only then that the real difficulty shows ITSELF
The first duty Of the Speaker is TO call
upon members to step up to the chair and
take the oath; and it is compulsory on him
to administer the form OF oath to which
we have alluded. That necessity absolutely
shuts out every member from the late
rebel States, and keeps them out until
the law requiring it is repealed. The first
question, then that forces itselfon the House is,
"Shall the law be repealedW Aud in the
| discussion and decision of that question
| the Southern representatives can have no
voice nor vote. They are exactly In the
condition of claimants for seats 1t is within
the discretion of the House to do with them as
il generally does with contestants for seats
give them the privileges Of the floor and
limited right to take part in the discussion.
That discussion will open up the whole ques-
ton of reconstruction, and will define clearly
the positions of members on that subject, and
tho public may look forward to il likely 10
be one of the most exciting and important
character that ever took place in Congress.
For our own part we have little doubt as to
bellon is incomplete 80 long az any one Of the
late revOlted States occupies "a position, in the
Union different from thai which it held before
the war Until those States have their repre-
sentatives in both branches Of the national
legislature the work of the rebel leaders cam
mol be fairly said to be undone. And this can
not be 50 long as the Congressional test oath
stands unrepealed. We believe that at the
close of the debate on this subject il will be
seen that the advocates Of radical views in
Congress are in pitiful minority compared
with those who support the rational and
patriotic policy of President Johnson.
British Consistcncy-Chils and Mexico.
The British press and the British merchants
are becoming very much incensed at the con-
duct Of Spain towards the South American re-
public of Chile. It's interference for most
frivolous cause, its hostile attitude without any
grievance but such as has already been fully
atoned for, excitcs the wrath of these island
ers and the Intervention Of the three greatest
Powers in the world is invoked by them to
preserve the honor and the nationality Of this,
in every sense, Pacific State. We might admire
this sudden display of good feeling bat for two
reasons. One is that the real cause OF this dis
play is no more nor less than fear that the
British trade in copper is seriously affected
IN article which the British manufacturers OBJ
tain in large quantities from Chile, and which
the present complication Of affairs. "Hence
these tears" But FOR this attack on their
pockets we should not hear word Of COM
plant, not a single appeal TO The Justice or
humanity of nations.
The other reason for our want OF admiration
for the Chilean sympsthizers in England is the
fact that no such sympathy was exercised
towards the republicans Of Mexico when
France, like Spain, urged similar claims against
that country. II will be remembered that the
frat steps taken by the Emperor were to pro-
cure the adjustment Of claims like those Of
Jecker-large and fraudulent; that Mexico
offered to arrange them, and even binied at
guarantee from the United States. Here, then,
was fair opportunity for peaceful settle
ment. But Louis Napoleon aimed at something
more. He resolved still further 10 interfere,
and when abandoned by bis allies, on the
discovery Of his real purpose, proceeded
alone in his unjustiHable attempt to revolu-
tionize the republic, 70 give The Latin race
predominance in its affairs, 10 check the re-
publican spirit on this continent, and BY flank
movement destroy the integrity Of the Anne
rican Union.
Where then was the indignation OF the British
press, its merchants, It's shipbuildcrs, its aris-