Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-21

| and the President, acting in conformity with
their wishes notified the people of the Southern
| States that unless they returned TO their ale
| glance within one hundred days he would issue
q proclamation emancipating their slaves
| You know the result. The procla nation was
| issued. Negro troops were put ino the field
| by the Federal Government. BY bravery
| in battle they vindicated their manhood
and dissipated the p'ejudices against th;m
| on both sides. This was fully manifested
| by acts OF representatives at Washington
| and Richmond These acts settle the status
| OF the African race in the United States for all
| time. The whole nation was represented by two
bodies-one representing freedom; the other the
| idea that slavery was divine institution; each
| cOntending for national existence; each in the
darkest hour OF its peril, called upon the slave to
bare his arm and expose his breast TO the shafts
of death each offered freedom as tho greatest in
ducement TO heroic action Thus slavery is dis
posed of by the logical events Of war.
| The conduct OF the American slave within the
| Confederate lines during the period through
| which we have just passed Is one OF the remark
able features of history. Not an instance
of instruction against their masters Oc-
CURED during the strife, though fully informed OF
| the proclamation of freedom, and ardently des-
hiring IT, they were subordinate and obedient 10
Rtheir masters Their faith was in God. Like Is
rael at the Rel Sea, they stood still and saw the
\ salvation OF the Lord.
After the issui g OF the emancipation procla
nation by the President of the United States the
army under his command was Iarged TO see
that il Was obeyed. 1t was the duty OF the Off
GERS of the restored government OF Virginia un
der its Constitution ald laws to enforce the slave
laws of the State. This hrOug ht them in conflict
with the United States auth rites. 1t Was &C.
knOw.cdged by all that if the Government oil the
United states succeeded in suppressing the rebel
lion the institution of slavery was Destroyed
The validity of the restored government and its
success depended upon tie success oil the United
States.
As the acts of tho rebellion and the division OF
| the stlte rendered necessary revision OF the
Constitution OF the state, it was deemed right
that slavery be abolished by constitutional pro-
vision.
The Legislature which assembled at AleXan-
dria on the first Monday of December, 1868, call
| ed a convention, which assembled there on the
18th day of February, 1864, TO revise the State
Constitution. That Convention made some al
| terations in the organic laws of the State. The
Constitution as thus amended abolished slavery
and involuntary servitude in the State forever,
except for crime. II prohibits the Legislature
| from passing any act coatrlvening this prOvi'
| sion.
In consi Grafton of the division of the State the
number OF judges of the Supreme Court is re-
duced TO three. Tine judiciary OF the State Ie-
| m Tins unchanged except in the appointment of
| the judges they are now nominated by
| the executive and confirmed by the legislature
The time OF residence for voters is reduced 10 one
| year persons who held seats in the Confederate
| Congress or under the Confederate government,
members Of the rebsl legislature, AMI persons
| holding Office civil or military, under what is
| known as the rebel government of Virginia, eX
| cept county officers. are distranchised. Also
persons iering to vote are required first to take
an oath 10 support the Constitution of the United
States, and the laws made in pursuance thereof,
| as the supreme law OF the land also 10 uphold
and support the restored government of Virginia,
estab shed by the convention which assembled
Il nj Wheeling on the 18th day of June, 1861 and
that the person Offering to vote has not willingly
aided the rebellion since the lst Of January, 1864
Thus State sovereignty-the status of the AZ
/ rican race-the armed resistance 10 the Govern
ment of the United States-a are disposed Of; and
we have arrived at the important point OF the
restoration Of our State & all its former relations
| in the Union. This Is n delicate task, and ore
| that demands great wisdom and prudence. Old
Political issues have passed away animOsites
created by the stern conflicts Ct war, will pass
with the subsdence of angry feeling, and reason
and calm reflection follow the ieycrish excite
ment through which we have passed. Beyond
the demands of public justice, any action tending
| to produce irritation, or create new causes oil
difference, would he not only inconsistent with
humanity, but with a sound and enlightened pol
| icy. The most important question which de-
manls our immediate consideration il that OF the
restoration of political rights 10 those who have
heretofore enjoyed them. Since the restoration
of the seat OF government to this city, have con
versed with intelligent gentlemen, OF every shade
of pc itcal op Mon, and from every portion OF
the Commonwealth. Our intercourse has been
OF the most frank and unreserved character, and
| have been most iivorably impressed with the
earnestness and sincerity OF their good Intentions
and am convinced that, il the test of loyalty
prescribed by our Constitution is enforced in the
election and qualification Of officers, II wonld
render organization mpraCtcab!e IN most oflhe
counties of the State. II is folly 10 suppose that
a State can be governed under a republican form
of government when large portion OF the state
nineteen twentieths of the peOplc-are dsiran-
chised and cannot hold Office. But fortunately
by the terms OF the Constitution, the General AS
sembly has control of this subject. The restrict
| ing clauses OF the Constitution were devised in
time of war. But we have passed through this
great and terrific conflict, waged on both sides
with a skill and pertinacty seldom equaled.-
Whsn the passions of men ran riot, and blood
was spilled like water when, on this side OF
the line, all between the ages of seventeen
and fifty were made soldiers, and for want
/ ut faith in deprec ated currency, supplies
to these soldiers failed, il is not wonderful that
men responded 10 appeals for 70 untary aid in
| the shape of food and clothing TO those of thu
| own family and household. Indeed, il would be
wonderful il they had not. But now, that the
conflict is passed, they accept the facts developed
by the logic of the past f,ur years, declare that
| Government of the United States without menta,
Reservation, and intend to be and Iemlin loyal
TO the government OF their fathers. 10 would not
be in accordance with the spIit OF that noble
l. AnglO.SaX0n race from which we boast our com.
Il mon origin, to strise IA len brother or impose
upon him humiliating terms after a fair surren.
der. Therefore, il it were even practicable
to orga1i7e tho counties under the dsqna
ifyir. ~ of the Constitution, should
| still Earnestly Iect mmend their repeal
We must not lose sight OF the great fact,
| that whilst man is social and religious being,
| he is at the same time, q lighting animal hence,
whilst we commend and encourage the milicr and
better propensites OF his nature, must not deal
| too harshly with the other eJt We Geieat the oh
ects of wise legislation, and dcgrdcc where we
would elevate and ennObe.
All admit that person disOYal TO the Govern
ment which gives him protection should not he
allowed to vote or hold office under that Govern
ment hence the suggestion of an oath Of loyalty.
would recommend the amnesty oath prescribed
| by the President of the United States or one of
similar character that to he substituted for the
one required by the Constitution as it now stands.
| IL is of the utmost Importance tqat the county
officers shall DO elected without delay; the pub.
| lie welfare demands and the people desire, that
law and order shall he restored rs speedily pos
sible, that they may conform TO the new state Of
affairs and adde's themselves to the grateful
tnsk of rep ring thei; broken fortunes restoring
| the waste places, and developing the great re-
sources OF our Commonwealth. This il to be
accomplished under new system Of labor Gre
| a,ed by the war. We have been taught b5 hard
experience that our old system contained fatal
| element of weakness; the new system contains
| the elements of strength which proved so poten-
til in the late conflict. The result will be ho-
| mogeneous nation inseparably bound together
| by commercial social and political ties, all ven
| Grating the name of Washington, and maintain
ing the flag that is known ana respected in every
| land and on every sea. To insure this consum-
nation let our ardent and earnest prayer be, For
| give us our trespAsses, as we forgive those who
trespass against u.s." If we cannot forgive,
how can we hope to be forgivenl No man ever
entered the kingdom of Heaven with animosities
| in his breast; no nation can attain greatness
without faith amongst its people. When, af.ef
hi 49, ba