The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-10-27

see the South assert its manhood in this
particular. We would like to see truth
prevail, even though we might fail in
being represented for term in Congress.
Consequently we had too much respect
for that manly feeling of honest pride
which has ever distinguished the true
to counsel the adoption of a
mean and transparent subterfuge, to
cheat the country into the acceptance
Of our representatives. We would have
rather seen Generals Lee, Lonstreet, and
who of course cannot take that
oath, chosen, than Mr.. Ridgway; who,
although he was in the Confederacy all
through the war, and has had his paper
suppressed by the military since
for disloyal utterances, says he can
conscientiously take the oath. The test
oath did not trouble us, nor we it, be-
cause we looked upon it as matter OF
no serious moment. Congress is not
composed of collection of ninnies, to
be hoodwinked by any of the subter-
fuges the press or politicians OF the
South may choose to adopt in order to
attempt to slip in at the back-door, and
cheat it out of recognition. The men
composing that body have had their
eyes and their ears open during the war,
and know as we'll as the editors or peo-
pie of the South who can take the test
oath and who cannot take it. They
know that the Andrew Johnsons, Madi-
son, Wellses, and Andrew Jackson
Hamiltons of the South were not quite
70 abundant during the war as they
have become since; and they also know
that there is scarcely a man who re-
NAMED in the South during the war
that can take that oath. The test
oath " was dodge resorted to in Vir-
ginia by certain aspiring politicians and
their friends to frighten the people into
slecting them, as the only means of
representation in Congress.
We do not now, and never did believe,
hat that oath will be any obstacle in
he way of the admission of the South
'rn members, for until the question is
'ettled definitivelyb by Congress itselfas to
the South shall be represented
IF not, no applicant for a seat from the
South will be allowed the privilege Of
.aking the oath !; and after Congress
mas determined the matter, it will be as
easy for it to repeal the test, as it was
for Mr.. johnson to pardon General
Humphreys. Virginia should have met
this matter with more dignity than
she did, and voted for her repre-
as regardless of the conse-
quences as the people of Rich
mond did when they elected Sturdivant
Mayor of that city. BY pursuing this
course they would have commanded the
respect of Congress and the country,
,ven though their representatives might
not have been admitted, and the people
would have gained honor by manfully
md nobly expressing their honest senti-
nents and convictions, and refusing to
esort to the shameful subterfuges and
hams of expediency. If Virginia is
O be represented the test oath cannot
prevent it; and if her representatives
ire refused it will not be because of their
to subscribe to the test oath,
nor would it be even were Lee and Long
street the applicants. Let everything
with this matter of recon-
'truction be frank, honest and above
lboard. Let there be no attempts at
raud-no stealing back into the Union.
Boldly you left, andyou should returnin
he same erect manner.
To the editor of the Chronicle
70 would say,we do not pursue chimeras
r solve riddles; neither do we pass our
lme in such Improbable business as the
iscassion of the constitutionality of the
avs of Congress. There are great legal
binds enough in the country to expound
nd decide these questions for US. They
re paid to do it, and we have no wish
o tighten their labors. We look to them |
D tell us the right, and are content to
hey the laws as we find them until |
hey release us from our obligations.
We publish am Independent journal,
lore for our OsOn amusement than for |
ny profit or re,Oard Ve expect to reap
rom the experiment, and aoe never have,
or never will, be found guilty of so
aean a thing as sacrificing principle to
rpediency. Till the Charlottesville
CHRONICLE can honestly say as much it
'ould do well to withhold its spiteful
ings at its superiors.