The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-09-12
CAN YOU TAKE THE OATH

This is a question that should be propound-
ed to every man who may ask the suffrages
Of the people in the contest for Congress
which is shortly to take place in this State.
Nor should any citizen of the State cast his
vote till this question has been satisfactorily
answered. One mulish, head-strong man, in
tent on forcing his services upon the people,
may retard the progress of reconstruction for
months or years. Whatever may be the
policy pursued in other States, let the people
of Virginia exercise that practical wisdom, in
regard to this matter, which will enable her
to return to the Union at once. If we act
wisely, we have the strongest assurance from
President Johnson that the weight of the
Administration shall be cast into the e bal
ance'' of the South This influence united
with the conservative element of the North
may bring about Reconstruction even with the
radical Congress, which, for the present, con-
trolls the legislation of the country But it
matters little what may be the action of the
next Congress, so the South stands properly
before that body for admission into the Union.
thine at last brings all things even," and
should the radical Congress, which will meet
in Washington, in December, refuse admit
lance to the Southern representatives, we may
look for reaction in public sentiment at the
North, which will sweep these agtators into
eternal oblivion. haa bs,i sJ# ,s..5a
At the opening of the Congressional can
vass in the Albemarle District we find that
three candidates We're present, and addressed
the citizens at some length. A report of the
speeches made by these gentlemen, is given in
the Charlottesville Chronicle To enable our
readers to understand the views taken by
prominent and able men in other portions of
the State, we give condensed reports of the
remarks made at the Charlottesville meeting
The Chronicle says:
Messrs. John r. Woods, of Albemarle A.
H. H. Stuart, of Augusta, and John F. Lewis
Of Rockingham, presented themselves before
the people Of this county, at Court, on Mon
day last, as candidates for their suffrages for
the next Congress Of the United States.
There was quite a number of people at Court,
and Dr. John r. Woods first addressed them
DR.. Woods commenced by making pass
at the resolutions of 1889, Construction
Construed" and all by-gone Virginia abstrac-
tons, and said he was rather for a develop
ment of the great material resources of Vir-
ginia. He passed high eulogy on the gov
eminent of the United States, which he said
had been perverted by agtators and dema-
gogue IS from representative republic into
democracy African slavery had been the
common lever of fanatics at the North and ia
natics at the South. He had been Union
man in 186O-61-had counseled moderation
his counsels were UNDECIDED and Virginia cast
her lot with her Southern sisters. He had
chung to the Union, but after secession was ac-
complshed, his sympathies were with his own
people-with Lee and jackson and our glori-
Gus soldiers. He prayed fervently for our
success. When after three years of blood
shed, he perceived the cause was lost, he
struggled, and prayed as fervently, for an
honorable settlement through negotiation.
Or. Woods said he could not take the Con-
gressional Oath-he had taken three oaths,
and wanted to take no more. Those he had
taken he meant to keep. Looking at his
friend Mr.. Stuart he said he had signed no
ordinance Of secession, to prevent his taking
his seat if elected Mr.. Stewart said, as a
practical man, he accepted the abolition of
slavery. The next Congress will have great
questions before it. 1t will be the grandest
theatre ever presented to the statesman. as
to the Oath, 1t IS anaoarra'ated by the Consttta-