Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-09-26

a chance to occupy a seat in Congress who,
like Mr. Stuart declares that he cannot and
acsW not take the OATH Mr.. Seward said, q
few days ago, to a prominent gentleman of
Albemarle County, "you had better send q
child or fool to the next Congress, rather
than one who cannot take the oath, J" and this
is the general impression of the best informed,
and unprejudiced and disinterested men.
The law of Congress requiring all mem-
bers to take an oath, that they have not CIV
en- aid, or counsel in any way, to the Con-
federate Government is still in force, and
will continue to exclude persons who cannot
consoientiously comply with it, until it is re-
peaied, or is declared unconstitutional by the
Supreme Court of the United States. Then,
it behooves you to send persons to Congress
who can take their seats, and vote with the
conservative members for the repeal of these
restrictions. There is powerful party at
the North, aided by some fanatical persons
at the South, who are anxious TO keep the
Southern States in the condition of conquered
Provinces until they consent to negro suf-
frage, and we, by electing men to Congress
who can not take their seats, are aiding and
abetting these Fanatics. That the law of
Congress will bechanged, or altered to allow
any Southern man to occupy seat, is alb
surd much more absurd to suppose that 1t
will be altered to benefit one who advised the
Southern people to vote for the ratification OF
the ordinance of Secession, voted for it HIM
self, and signed the Ordinance in the Conven-
tion. [ call your attention to the case Of Mr.
Bayard, of Delaware, who was elected to the
United States Senate, but was not allowed to
take his seat until he subscribed to the oath.
He complied with the law, made an elaborate
argument against the expediency and consti-
tutionality of it, and, failing to have the law
repealed, resigned his seat.
Mr.. Bright, member Of the lower House,
was expelled from Congress because it was
proven that he had given counsel to the South.
With these facts before you, are you willing
to vote for one who tells you he cannot COM
DIV with the law, and that he would despiso
himself if he could ? This will be the most
important Congress that has ever assembled
for good, or for evil, and the vote of every
conservative member, will be of inestimable
value to the South. We cannot afford, at
this critical juncture of our affairs, to be tri-
fing-it is representation on the one hand,
and no representation on the other. But if
you prefer military rule. to having civil law
establish in the South, vote for man who
tells you be cannot and will not take the
oath, and that he would despise himself if he
did But am determined that the voters
IN this District shall have the choice between
one who can and aoiR and, one who declares
he cannot and aciU not take the OATH
But Mr.. Stuart says, sbetter be unrepresen-
ted than misrepresented." Now this implies
one of two things. Mr.. Stuart means to say
that have not the capacity to represent you,
or that he and myself differ in our political
opinions. We have always agreed perfectly
in our priuate conversations. If there is any
difference, it must be that Mr.. Stuart claims
to be more inclined to the doctrine of seces-
sion than do. He is welcome to all the
capital he can make cut of this position.
I am not of those who despair of the Re-
public, but, in the language of one of Virgins
las most gifted sons, 81 am full of exultant
hopo for my country am looking for
ward with confidence to bright, prosperous,
and happy future, and believe that 'Uniop
and liberty are one and inseparable, now and
forever" If we are but true TO ourselves,
and act with prudence, discretion and wis.,
dom, ssthe Morning will come, that bright
morning, when the dew-drops, collected du-
ring the night of our troubles, viii sparkle in
its beams, when, in one glorious reunion, .
long oppression will have been forgotten, or
only remembered by contrast to enhance the
fulluess of the joys of freedom"
JOHN F. LEWIS.