The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-08-08
The Way Open.


to its "practical relations" with the General
Government cannot fail to have an impOr-
tant influence upon the other seeded States.
They can no longer affect to be ignorant of
what Congress will exact OF them. All that
is required of them is the ratification of the
constitutional amendment, and Immediately
their Representatives and Senators will be
sworn in. just as Messrs Maynard, Stokes,
and Taylor were sworn on Tuesday, and as
Mr.. Fowler, the Senator from Tennessee, has
been. Those who cannot take the oath need
not apply, unless they are prepared to show
that they were never at heart hostile to the
Government, and that what they did appar-
emily against it was in reality with a view to
throw obstacles in the way of its enemies
There are many such in all the States, but
especially in North Carolina. Mr.. Jones, for
instance, who has been elected to represent
the extreme western district of the State, was
imprisoned in Libby for endeavoring to raise
a Union regiment; and yet, having consent
ed to be a candidate TO represent his county
in the State Legislature, during the war, he
is thought to be ineligible to seat in Con-
gress. The difficulty is, that he would bere
quired TO swear TO th0fact that he had 'nev-
er sought nor accepted &C. an office under
any Government or pretended Government
In hostility to the United States" This
not do for the reasons stated, and yet his con-
. stituents wished to elect him, while he was
in Libby prison, in order that he might 90 to
Raleigh and do something to bring about
peace and reunion. This was the spirit of a
large number ofpeople in North Carolina, es-
pecialiy IN the western counties. They con
stituted not minority. Their leaders are
for the most part in. the condition of Mr..
Jones that is to say, almost inevitably COM
promised in some way, but with hearts true
to the Union. To their hands will Congress
commit the destinies of the State whenever
the constitutional amendment shall be rati-
fed. If the pople of North-Carolina really
desire to he restored to their political fran
chises, of which they were deprived by the
treason of their demagogues in 1861, they
should urge their Governor TO cali the Legis-
lature together in order that the constitu-
tional amendment may be ratified. The State
elections take place inOctober. 1t would
be well if some ofthe Representatives elected
last year, who were secessionists and rebels
during the war, should resign, in order that
loyal men may be sent in their places They
may as well give up the hope of being recog-
nized Congress is against them, and if the
Presidents organs can berelied on heisagainst
them, I" so they can't come in, and there's no
use knocking at the door" Those VINO
dragged the States into rebellion will not be
permitted to usher them back into the Un-
ion. They must take back seats, and put
themselves in their good behavior for sea
son. They may thank their stars that they
are permitted to vote; and they should show
their gratitude their repentance, and their
good sense by voting for the wisest and best
Union men among them. This is the only
road to restoration, and North Carolina
ought to be the first to follow Tennessee
Washington Chroaiele.
We concur with the Chronicle in the above
We are glad to find that paper expressing
such liberal views in regard to those Union
men in this State, who are prevented only by
technicality from taking the test-oath.-,
Many of our people who cannot take the
test-oath in its letter are as true as those who
can take it both in letter and spirit. They
have always been " true at heart' to the ma
tional government. 1t was just such fidelity
that was required by President johnson in
recognizing this State; and the Provisional
Governor telegraphed the President in reply
TO his orders on this vital subject, that he
had constantly labored, from the time he was
appointed, to place only those In office In
this State who had never, at heart, faltered
in their allegiance to the national govern
ment.n The President replied, approving
tbe conduct of his subordinate. and assuring
him of his continued confidence. And
,vben this same Provisional Governor was
defeated by a corrupt combination of seces-
s;onists and traitors, the President again
telegraphed to him expressing his indignar
t;on at the result, and declaring that one
more step in that direction would prove " ia
tarr to the prospects the State then had o.
be;ne restored to the Union. Since that
time, not only one step, but many steps have
been taken in this direction; and things
have got to such a pass that Chief Justic'
Ruffin, the leader of the oligarchs and trait
ors, with the appreciation OF the organ 0
Gov. Worth, has denounced the President Al
a" despot and usurper," and has declared
that the people of the State "owe no ODE