The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1865-10-08
!. A Matter Of Much Importance.


A short time since number OF the clt-
izens of Charlottesville, Virginia, ad-
dressed letter to President johnson for
counsel and advice IS to the pro tper
course to pursue in relation 10 the ap-
preaching Congressional elections. They
stated that in their Congressional district,
for example, three gentlemen are soiic-
iting the suffre = =. the people. They
were all conservative men before the
war, and opposed to secession. Two OF
them admit that they countenanced the
Southern cause, during the war, to an
extent which prohibits them from taking
taking the oath which was prescribed
by the Congress OF the United States in
1862 The third says he can conscien
,iously take it and the question presents
itself-how shall the people vote
Some prefer ole candidate, and some
smother but being wholly uniformed as
TO whether the test oath will probably be
repeated or modified so as to admit
Southern members, they have thought
it possible that the President might en-
tighten them on the subject. Their first
wish is to send men to Congress who will
give the most efficient support to the
administration, whether they be OF the
oae class or of the other.
! At the request Of the President John
son, Attorney General Speed responds 10
the letter. He says l am instructed by
him to say, that he has no more means of
knowing what Congress may do in regard
to the oath about which you inquire than
any other citizen. 1t is his earnest wish
that loyal and true men to whom no ohJec
tions can be made, should be elected to
Congress.
This is not an official letter, but sim
pie expression of individual opinion ano
| wish" =
Our readers are familiar, we presume
with the provisions of this oath. 1t re
1 4uires the party to be one who neVe
voluntarily gave. aid or countenance
to the Confederate authorities. If thi
were all perhaps few might be able Il
accept it, but the oath also declares tha
the party shall never have sympathize'
| or given aid, counsel or advice to thos
who were waging war against the govern
ment of the United States. This pro
scribes all there are no men fit to repre-
| seut us who can take the test oath in II
oroad meaning. We believe, however
| that this oath will not be demanded if W
are fairly in the Union and eyince
spirit of loyalty everywhere. To quot
from the Montgomery Mail the Constitu
tion of the United States provides tina
Zach House shall be the judge of the qua
| .fcation, elections and returns of its owI
members. The next Congress therefor
can and will determine the question a
o the reception of the delegates sent b
the South, without reference 10 qualif
cation imposed by former Congress.
I that qualification, apart from the simpl
oath of Office imposed by the Constitution
were legal, still it could bind only tn
Congress that-imposod it, The oath ws
Imposed as war measure. Its pnrpos
y was to clear away from Congress such pc
IONS as would trammel the war part,
t:s object having been .sccomplished, ii
, good sense and conservatism of Congre
, will doubtless refuse to renew, and app
, 1t to Southern delegates.
I. AT the same time we think it high
j .roper, and absolGsa necessary for oil
y safety to confine our votes for the presei
= 70 conservative men. The action of OF
y friends in Congress will depend to gre
: extent upon the antecedents OF 'the del
E gates from the South and the assuranC
I ierived from those antecedents that II
6 delegates will fulfill their duties with q
}, 4yesingIe to the interests of commo
r country.