Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-03-22
RADICALS BACKING DOWN.

In the Senate on Friday last, Mr.. STEWART,
Of Nevada, offered joint resolution to be re-
ferred to the Committee on Reconstruction
The substance Of the scheme may be substan-
tally stated thus:
That the States lately in Instruction shall be
recognized as members Of the Union whenever
they shall have amended their constitutions so
as to do away all existing distinctions as to
civil rights and disabilities among the various
classes Of its population by reason of either race
or color, or previous condition of servitude. I'd.
To repudiate all pecuniary Indebtedness which
said State may have heretofore contracted, in
CURED, or assumed in connection with the late
unnatural and reasonable war. Sd. To yield
all claim to compensation on account of the
liberation Of its slaves; and, 4th. Toprovide
for the extension Of the elective franchise 10 all
persons upon the same terms and conditions,
making no discrimination on account of race,
color or previous coIdition of servitude:
Prorided, That those who were qualified to
vote in the year 1860, by the laws of their re-
spective States, shallnot be DISTINGUISHED by rea
son Of any new tests or conditions which have
been or may be prescribed since that year.
After these conditions have been complied
with and ratified by majority of the voting
population, then general amnesty shall be pro-
claimed in regard to all persons in such State
who were in any way connected with armed
opposition to the Government of the United
States, wholly generating them from all pains,
penalties, or disabilities to which they may have
become liable by reason Of connection with the
rebellion.
That in view of the importance Of the tho
rough assimilation of the bases of suffrage in
the various States of the Union, all other States,
not above specified, shall be respectfully reques-
ted to incorporate an amendment in their State
constitutions, respectively, corresponding with
the one specified
That in the adoption Of theaforesaid resolu-
tons, it is not intended to assert cOreire pow
er on the part of Congress in regard to the reg
ulation of the right of sufragein the different
States ofthe Union, but only to make respect
full and earnest appeal to their own good sense
and love of country, with view to the proven
ton of serious evils now threatened, and to the
peaceful perpetuation of the repose, the happi-
ness, and the true glory of the whole Ameri-
can people.
The speciousness of this propositions will be
readily seen in the fact that while conditions
are submitted to the Southern States and re-
quired to be accepted and complied with, and
which would require two years to consummate,
the Free States are only respectfully request
ed to incorporate such an amendment in their
respective State Constitutions, work which
they may or may not perform, being already
in the Union.
That the NEGRO is prominentin the "wood-
pile" is proved by the hearty readiness with
which Messrs. Sumner, Wilson, Henderson,
and Yates, hailed the propositions
Mr.. Stewart quoted telegram of President
johnson to Judge Sharkey, in which the Pres
ident suggested the experiment of granting suf-
frage to all persons of color who own real es-
tate to the value of $3.50, and pay taxes there
on, las in the State of New York; but he has
never favored. the idea of forcing such mea-
sure on the States, or of making it a condition
of their place in the Union. He distinctly takes
the ground that the States themselves must
regulate the matter Of suffrage.
TheChronicle halls the proposition with great
delight circumstance not likely to give it
favor. The South viii beware of gifts from
the Greeks. Forney & Co. are altogether too
kind.