Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-09-14
Opinions of Governor peirpoint.

ernor Peirpoint, asking his opinion on the sub
ject of the probable admission or rejection o
members of Congress from Virginia. The fol
lowing are the questions
LIST. Do YOU think there is probability o
any delegate to Congress from Virginia being
admitted to a seat who cannot now take thu
oath prescribed by Congress for its members
ID What do you think would be the effec
upon the interests of Virginia of the election o
men to Congress who cannot take their seats il
that body?
Sd. With reference to the State Legislature
Do you think any man will be allowed to take
his seat in either branch who has held any office
under the Confederate Government, or under
any rebellious State Government
If the first and third questions propounded
shall be answered in the negative, please state
what course you would recommend to the peo-
pie of Virginia at the approaching elections.
To these questions Governor Peirpoint makes
the following reply:
RICHMOND, Va, Sept Z, 1865.
j. w. Le,rellen, Esq,
DEAR SIR: Yours of the I'd instant, asking
my opinion as to certain interrogatories therein
propounded, is before me- Were it not that |
had received numerous letters and inquiries of
the same import from other persons, | should
decline answering because, of the delcacy of the
subjects and my own position. Indeed, do not
know that my opinion will be needed by the
voters or by those who are candidates for their
suffrages.
IA II III ~, no
disturbed condition of the State, while there are
so many petitions at Washington on file for par
don, and meetings being held in large number
of counties in the State, passing resolutions de-
claring the loyalty of the people to the Federal
and State Governments, that there should be
reason for raising these questions. Congress,
acting under provision of the Constitution of
the United States,-which is in these words, to
wit:
each House shall be the judge of the cleo
tons, returns and qualifications Gifts members"
has passed joint resolution declaring that
all its members shall take the oath to which
you refer That resolution, prescribing the
OATH will have to be repealed before any MEM
Der who cannot co.scientiously subscribe to it
can take his seat. 1t is not to be expected that
Congress will repeal that resolution in order to
give seats to members who cannot take the
oath This, believe, answers your first qucs-
ton.
ID Effect on Virginia if she should not have
representation in the next Congress. Not that
representation will do her so much good, but
it will be great evil to the State if she is not
represented All our interests will suffer if we
are mrepresented
o 20 fha If me-
bers to the General Assembly who are ineligi-
bic. 1t is to be hoped that none such will be
elected Should they he, the Constitution ofthe
State must be repealed before they can take
their seats; and as the question will be entirely
within the control of the Legislature, that body
may defer action till thcclose of its session. and
thus deprived the counties sending such delegates
of all representation.
But has it not the appearance of persistent
and continued rebellion for men to run for Con-
gress who, by the law of Congress, cannot take
their seats And so in regard TO the General
Assembly. The first act to be done by them
when they arrive at the State or National cap
tai will DO 10 demand the ropoal of certain laws
before they can take their seats. If this class
of men are sent to Congress, the members of
Congress will conclude that the representative
is type of the people, and will be likely to
reject them.
! There is no doubt but able delegations can be
elected both to the Congress of the United
States and to the General Assembly Of Virginia
who are eligible
The highest type of patriotic citizens held up
for our admiration in history, in all ages of the
world. are those men who have bowed with inn
! plicit obedience to the lawsof thecountry, how
ever painful their execution. This is Il period
in our history which calls for like self denial.
hope the people of Virginia will show them
selves equal to the emergency.
| am yours, &c, +. II. PIERPoINT.
We append the oath required of member
of Congress, before taking his seat:
The Test Oath.
Extract from the Act Of Congress Of July 2,
1862.
"That hereafter every person elected or al :
pointed to any Office of honor or profit under
! the Government of the United States, either in
the civil, military or naval departments of the
public service excepting the President of the
United States) shall, before entering upon the
duties of such office, and before entitled to any
of the salary or other emolumcnts thereof take
and subscribe to the following oath or afirma-
ton: Il "a. b. do solemnly swear for affirm
that have never voluntarily borne arms a.
gainst the United States since | have been a
citizen thereof; that have voluntarily given
no aid, countenance, counsel or encouragement
to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto ;
that have neither sought nor accepted nor at
tempted to exercise the functions Of any Office
whatever under any authority or pretended ali-
thority in hostility to the United States; that
have not yielded voluntary support to any
pretended government, authority, power or
constitution within the United States hostile or
! inimical thereto; and do further swear Tor
afirm) that, to the best of my knowledge and
ability, will support and defend the Constitu-
ton of the United States against all enemies,
foreign or domestic; that will bear true faith