Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-11-24
I From the Washington Constitutional Union.l
A Weird TO tie South.

a N0TO 10 slo DOItH'
|. It seems to be currently believed that upon
the call Of the roll of members Of the House
at the approaching session Of Congress the
names Of those representing States recently IN
rebellion viii be omitted. ANY argument as
to the 7egIty Of this course on the part Of
the Clerk, would at this time be utterly futile;
since, under the circumstances, there could
by no possibility be any adequate remedy
tie naked poner being obvious, and thecoln-
position Of the House such as to preclude any
hope that the arbitrary action Of the Clerk in
this behalf could be successfully resisted. We
must, therefore, regard the admission Of the
Southern States as solely dependent upon the
viii Of majority Of the House, subsequent
to its organization, and that this tgW Of such
majority Eve charitably and not unreasona-
bly, infer) must, at least n'eosmttUy depend
upon the prompt action Of the Southern State
Legislatures upon the great questions now be-
fore them. In this view we cannot use Ian
guage too strong while enforcing upon those
bodies tile paramount importan9e-the vital
necessity-of doing their whole duty in this
emergency. We arrogate to ourselves moth
ing but what viii III justice be accorded to Us,
when we lay claim to the privilege Of speak
ing plainly to our Southern brethren. We
do SO in all sincerity when we distinctly tell
them that no 7achcs ON their part must le suf
tered to prejudice their claims to admission
in the estimation Of the honest portion Of the
Northern representation, and that noteyen
plausible pretext for opposition must be left
those other men who appear predetermined
to resist all attempts at a complete restoration
CT the Union and a fraternity Gifts discorlant
sections.
We well know that the States lately inre-
bellion have already done much to place them
selves in an attitude acceptable to those Of
the North who really desire the revival Of
permanently harmonious relations withthem;
but it sa matter Of deep regret that a1ay delay
(doubtless the effect Of erroneous views Of the
extent of Northern demands) should have, as
net, prevented the enactment Of those meas
ures considered even by their best friends es-
scntially requisite to mollify the opposition to
their restoration, which evidently exists in
the minds Of many whoare not Of the number
Of those fully bent upon a tasting disanjon
Of these States. The Legislatures Of the
States should understand that the present de-
plorable condition Of their people is the result
Of public acts Of their own, which were al
together beyond the Constitution, and that
their restoration to tie Union must, in like
manner, be brought about by voluntary pub
lie acts Of their osrn, which, although they
might not be constitutionally demandca Of
thcln are acre5the]css, jn TIE altered condj;-
bon q things, absolutely necessary to REIN
s5aten,eat 70 their .tormcr position. We hold
: it to be their imperative duty, either by fund
amontal law Or by Legislative enactments Gin
addition to what they have already accom-
plished) at once to repu(liate all Confederate
and State debts contracted during the practi-
cal operation Of the several ordinances Of Sc
cossion, and to adopt the amendment OF the
Constitution forever prohibiting slavery
throughout the United States. These meas
: ures, with q liberal system Of legislation
adapted to the altered condition Of the negro
population, Will, if perfected at once, leave
no pretext for further agitation, and put the
friends Of Southern equality in positionini-
pcegnable to the assaults Of the enemies Of
union and fratoGnal concord.
It is much to be regretted, that, in con-
nection with this particular matter, some i'll
advised journals at the North have carped at
the julicious and sound ut7ticc which our be-,
loved President has from time to time given,
as sayorlng Of d!ctotton, and have grayely in
vokel constitutional scrupIes as to its proprie-
ty- Nothing surely, could be in worse taste
as, certainly, nothing could be more illog-
ical and far fetched. The States lately in
rebellion are now and have been since the
surrender of lee and Johnston undcr mar
TIL 1o,o The present Executive, upon
coming into power, fou"<} then, Ia tbs con-
olttioa I5ut DESTROYS, as soon as possible
that they should assume their former rela-
tons to the General Government lie inaug-
uratce, a plan for this purpose5o1 tie sac
cess Of ,rdjct, it was Indispensable that those
States slould by voluntary }egj$|ajioa adjust
their domestic system so as to harmoni2e it
'gjM tie statc Of things jneroroj{y resujtjny
from tie termination Ct the 'cay adrcrSelg to
item. lie od1ised as to the proper course
to be pursued The o7tice could be regard
cd Or not. IF taken, the way to paciiication
would be made the clearer ifn0t, the delin-
qucnt States would remain as lie .fouac5 them.
There was no dictation, much less sembiance
Of nffacton Of the letter or spirit Of the Con-
st;Sution. We are happy to be able to add
that 10 Southern journal, to our knowledge
has taken such view Of the action Of our Chief
Magistrate On the contrary their unlni-
,:.oc..is voice attest the appreciation Of the
Southern poop. Of his patriotic czortions in
their behalf.
let the South % is s9Ao7c daty, and how
ever ullfayorabe the aspect Of things may
now appear q brighter and q better day will
net be ial distant.
Eeen on the EDGE.
Lawyers are sharp-joll't fool with them.
We heard Of an Incident recently that was III
point A. sued Z TO recover d claim of
500. AS lawyer made out the papers,
. which were served on 3. who is himself Il
lawyer. The papers were not duly stamped
as the law directs, consequently 8, took it
easy and did not appear. Plaintiffs were
much surprised looked over the papers to
see what informally might occur, whoreup-
on the defendant could hang an excuse for
not appearing, but found none. New pa
pcrs were made out, and the amount sued
for reduced inadvertently 50 low that no
stamp was required. AS counsel served
: the papers. An interview took place. T.