Washington telegraph., 1865-08-02

meHt, iOi this thc otn Juulclal IHcult. NO can
dida:e SO far as appears, has yet been authori-
tatively announced to the people. We have
ourselves proposed the name OF the Hon a. B.
Williams. Ifelected he will no doutt accept,
and viii fill the office with dignity, and discharge
the duties with ability
We regret TO find so little interest taken in the
matter 1t is certainly of more Importance than
our people seem to think
But this is easily accounted for. Every one
seems paralyzed by the Legislative test oath
The act of the legislature sounds 50 authorita-
tive that few people take the trousle to enquire
into its validity, or else doubling their success
in contesting it, lose all interest in the matter
1t is certain that the election will be very
partial. In a large majority Of the precincts,
sufficient number Of persons cannot be found
capable of qualifying under tha test oath for
Judges. la-u-
This unfortunate test vii, probably prevent
the establishment Of cur present State govern
meRt with any scr. of healthful harmony.
government set up and maintained against the
will of a large majority Of the good citizens Of
State. cannot be prosperous. Il must have thr
respect at least. If no. the affections OF the who'll
people and this is a matter Of sen.!nen. and
feeling which cannot be enforced.
We have thought. and still believe, that !.
would be best for u, TO come chccrfully into
the support OF the present government Of the
State. and contest this oath by proper Judicial
proceedings. Once admitted, or rather restored
to the Union. all parties nigh unite BY proper
State action, in making such alterations, and
curative provisions fOr jadcial and o her acts
done under the Confederate State Government
as the circumstances of the country may re
quire. 1yeanw lille we would be acting under
the Constitution Of the United States. with the
advantages Of recognized civil government.
Always presaming that the test oath, byjudicial
or legislative proceedings be first dispensed
with. We think the changed circumstances OF
the country will sa,isfy even those who passed
the law, of the propriety Of abandoning policy
adopted in time Of war.
government so established would satisfy
all parties; being concession from each to each.
and resulting in an excellent constitution, in
trinsically Objectionable to none. and carrying
out in good faith on the part Of the States the
true spirit and meaning Of the amnesty Precla-
nation of the President
What is amnesty worth with disfTanchisement,
and the imposition of i brand of inferior politi-
cal caste' brand which would be set upon
the foreheais Of nine-tenths Of the former citi-
zeas Of the State. President Johnson meant
no such thing As that Merely to escape Grim
= r. nd .ca
OF property, are motives unworthy the dignity
of freeraer He knows the people Of the South
too well 10 hold cut those alone as the condi-
tisns of return TO loyalty. he meant equal
rights. Those who think not must know Etile
of the Southern people, or Of him
We are in no position 10 dictate or to threat
CT. For all the guilt there may be in secession
We are fully smenable. But we wish to be
neither immodest nor defiant. We have re-
turned to our loyalty. and would feign be uss-
fal to our people aud the country. We are anx-
ious for restoration of harmony and COED will.
The words we write are earnest words, address
ed neither TO the prejudiccs nor passions bu; to
the calm reason Of those who now have it in
their hands, sy judicious course TO eoDciliatc
AL dIiitf, oI DY An Jut1ClOus ono 70 KEEP up
such discussions and dissatisfaction - 10 defeat
the speedy restoration OF our State. and make
necessary organization under proclamation
of the President, as is being done in The States
beyond the river.
We advise our people .hon he tcs; eSth has
repoiled from the suPport Of the State Govern
men. 70 test it. and 4 possible remove !; from
their wsy. If they remain Indifferent th.y may
become politically bound fsrever-pariahs in
their own homes. FOR the State governncn; may
be recognized by Congress rs it is The com
ing election affords favorable opportunity Let
every man who eau. take the amnesty oath be
fore the election, aud if qualified undlr the
Constitution, efrr MS vote for Jadsa y. the
polls. II refused for want Of the tcs; oath. lot
him have witnesses Of the fact, aud le; the cleo
tion be tested by peaceful and legitimate nlcaas.
The time has psst for any other remedies. and
he is no friend TO society who would advise or
ceantensnce them.
We again repeat that NC believe the test oath
unconstitutional, null. and roid; aud that its
supposed efficacy is the great barrier 10 the har-
molious restoration OF our State into the Union.
and the establishment OF civil government
throughout: the land.
FROM MEIIco.-Ecw York, July I5.-Mat
IL. 8 .,L