Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-11-23
A storm Ahead.

Il il evident, from the remarks Of Ex-Speak-
er CoLFAx and the tone Of some Of the North
ern journals, tba, there is 70 be opposition on
the part Of the more Radical portion Of the
Republican party to President JolnsOns sys-
tenn Of RESTORATION Of the States. Coliax is
bent ON negro equality with the whites, insist
ing that the Declaration independence must
be recognised as the law of the land, and this,
too. in the face Of the statement Of leading Re
publicans lGoy. Morton among them,l thar his
own State Of Indiana would give 10000 ma
jority against negro suffrage.
Iut, from all the signs u the times, it Is plain
that the Radicals mean to press I'LL through
Congress at the coming session to give negroes
the right to vote at municipal elections in the
District Of Columbia--a helpless dependency
without representative in Congress, against
which every sort Of prejudice is created and
cultivated; and this extension Of suffrage to ne
groes is to be pressed by members from States
in which no offer Of equality has been made to
the colored race.
Not a single Northern or Western State h7S
offered the freedmen hospitality or a home, With
right 10 vote. But we rely upon President
Johnson's firlnness in resisting absurd meas
ures. at a time when he is laboring not only TO
restore the Union to its proportions before the
war. but to restore the era of good feeling.
In this noble work it is gratifying to have
the cooperation Of such sound-judging and
liberal man as Thurlow Weed, the veteran Edi-
tor Of a leading Republican Journal Hear
him. There is manlness and magnaniniity IN
every line which follows:
That Southerners should demand repeal Of
the test oath is veTy natural. 1t is exceeding
" harsh in its Notwithstanding from
scat any man who is unable to swear that he
did not voluntarily render aid and encourage
ment TO the rebellion. This application is en-
tirely retrospective. II makes no difference
whether party has or has not been pardOncd
hy the President. The one fact to be decided
Is his status during the war. If that was dis
loyal to the Union, he is tabOOed. We have
only to remember how universally the spirit Of
revolt dominated at the South, in order to
comprehend the sweeping character Of the re-
striction Probably there is not score Of men
Of prominence in any insurgent State who did
not in some form voluntarily participate in, or
give encouragement to the secession movement.
Gov. Perry unquahfedly declares that there is
not a single man in South Carolina can take
the cath.
OF course it is desirable that, as the work Of
reorganization progresses, these communities
shall be represented by men who are in sym
patty with the people, who have character and
ability sufficient to direct them Alright, and in
whom they will have confidence. No matter
how thoroughly "subjugated" a soldier from
the Confederate army may be, he viii always
prefer to trust hereafter those who were "with
the South when he was honestly though mis-
takingly fehting her battles For these rea-
sons zee hare neither expected nor desired to see
men sent up 10 Congress lckO hare Arrays been
melodies heretofore. We ARE QUITE WILLING
THE MAN SHOULD HAVE SEAT THERE WHO
HAS wIELDED A REBEL SWORD.
1t is useless to talk Of a thorough unity as
having been re-established, if these men, who
have always heretofore led their action, and
who constitute its ablest minds, are to be left
outside, in a condition Of Ostracism. The soon
or we can extend to them the boon Of complete
and unconditional forgiveness, give them the
warm grasp Of sympathy and accord, and bid
them join with US in lsbors for the glory and
prosperity Of the country, the better. To in
fiict upon them crushing and unnecessary re-
venges, 70 abuse their positions and mOrtify
their pride, viii be to keep continually fostering
and suppurating wound, which in the inter
est of humanity should be quickly healed.