Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-10-28
The Test Oath.

Shall wefmnediqtely place the govern
ment of this nation IN the hands of the
eaders-eft the late rebellion Z This ques-
ton will come directly before the next
Congress, and VII Eareft in the face at
the very opening. Were it submitted to
the people-the loyal peoPleof-the nation,
the answer would be a very emphatic, de-
termined, and unanimous "N0l" And
vet there is considerable danger that Con-
gress will answer it " Yes"
The question will be decided by the
next Congress in its action upon the test
oath. prescribed by the last Congress, which
every person must take before becoming
eligible for any United States office, I'm
der this regulation a man must swear
that he has always been loyal to the Uni
ted States, and has neverh held Office under,
or sworn allegiance and given aid and
comfort to, any pretended government in
opposition to them. Its object was, and,
if adhered to, its effect will be, to exclude
every active participant in the rebellion
from anyplace of power under he United
States Government. 1t is fair , r
tial in its operation, and is a essential
now as it was deemed to be when created.
An effort is now being organized, and
will be pressed with great energy du-
ring the coming session, for the repeal
of the oath. That effort will be made in
the interest Of certain r~ed-handed traitors,
who have been notorious leaders in the
recent rebellion, and who are now appli-
cants for admission to the national halls OF
legislation. If it. is successful, its only
effect will be to throw wide the doors
of Congress to every rebel general or poll
tician who has become prominent and pop
ular at the South by his energy in sup,
porting treason. Its legitimate result
Will be to restore 'the Union as it was
and place the loyal North in the attitude
of humble submission to the crack o.
Southern whips welded by rebel slave
drivers.
Certainly, whether or not this oati
should eyer be abolished, whether or no
the quality of mercy should ever b.
strained so far as to allow a man to rul
in a government which hehas endeavoreC
to destroy, the time for doing it has no
vet arrived. To do it would be simply t
invite the Southern people to send thei
bitterest malignants, their most devote,
and determined rebels, to represent then
in Congress. Nothing can be plaine
than that the most popular men in tn
South are those who went furthest an
did most in support of the Confederacy
This is proven by every election yet he'll
in the South. Surrounded a these election
have been by barriers and safeguard
warned as these voters have been that the
re-admission to the Union depended o
their display of Union sentiment, the
have always elected the strongest reb
among the candidates for their suffrag
They have elected Wade Hampton Go
ernor of South Carolina, and Humphrie
another rebel General, Governor of Mi
sissippi. The result of the Richmor
charter election is well known. AT lea
half of the Congressman elect from Il
reconstructed States announce defiant
that they cannot and will not take thcte
oath. Should it be repealed we shou
have Robert E. Lee among the Senate
from virginia, anu Dvuurrsa.I From LOU
lana. Toombs would be sent back fro
Georgia to his old seat, and if the Miss
sippians could get JEFF. Davis pardoned
would enter the halls of the Senate wi
as proud a step as ever. To permit Al
encourage such a result would be a fagra
outrage not only upon the national sec
! rity and honor but upon the true Uni
l men of the South. BIAS
Tha fact that men who cannot take t
oath have persisted in running, and ha
been elected, shows that this would be t
/ result were it repealed. We hope, thel
fore, that it may be enforced in the ne
Congress, and kept in force as long as t
rebellion exhibits its present spirit, WI
, Wade Hampton can be elected Govern
under the Union, it is evident that recc
%struction is going too fast, and it is nee
full that Congress put on the brakes.