The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-09-05
The Congressional Elections.

The question to bc decided in the Autumn
Congressional elections Of 1866 is hardly less
important than that Of the Presidential cleo.
ton Of 1864 At that time, it was whether
tho Democratic party, whose policy had pro-
luced the war; whose southern leaders con-
Quoted it, and which, rs party. although
with conspicuous exceptions Of certain indI-
viduul Democrats, justified the rebellion, and
opp oscd the war measures Of the government,
should be entrusted with tho control of the
government. The response was prodisous'
Every loyal State but kentucky, Delaware,
and New Jersey sustained the Union party
At this time, the question is whether the
Democratic party, with its tendency and pol
icy clearly understood, slall determine the
conditions upon which the late rebel States
shall resume their full relations in the Union.
Is the Democratic view Of the situation trucr,
is the Democratic Interpretation Of the Con.
stitution moro just, is the spirit Of the Dem
ocratic party moro favorable to justice, equal
liberty, and reverence for law, than those Of
the Union party? Thcso arc the questions
which must determine our votes in the coIn-
ing election.
1t may be truc-indccd, for ourselves, VIC
have not hcsitatcd to say that it is truc-tlat
many foolish words have been spoken and
some unwisc measures adopted by Congress.
Nor do VIC care to ecriminutc and urge that
this Congress hns been ,norc hcrcely vituPer-
atcd than any Of its predecessors. Wo have
not to deal at the election with tho politeness
or tact cithor Of Congress or the Executive,
nor, indeed, with the uniform wisdom Of the
Congressional measures. The point is fun
damental principle. Granting that the action
of Congress might have been improved in Ger
tain ways, is it probable that the action OF
the Democratic minority would have been,
either in detail or in general policy, better for
tho peace and union Of tho country? Had
the party Of that minority been in the asccn-
dsnt, the test oath would baro been repealed,
Senators and Representatives like Alexander
II. Stephens and Hershcl V. johnson would
have been admitted; the Civil Rights Bill
would have fniled md, in word, the men
who, supported by their States, five years ago
resigned and withdrew from Congress-, and
engaged in tho rebellion, would have returned
by tho continuous right" Of those States,
and those who had tried to destroy the gov.
crnmont and still declare their right to do so,
would hayc voted upon every measure pro-
posed for the future security Of tho Union and
country against tho logical consequences Of
their doctrine.
Would this havc been q wise policy, or
satc for the country? Yet this is the policy
upon which the autumn elections are to pro-
nouncc. The Democratic party holds that,
having laid down their arms, the States lately
in rebellion arc exactly where thcy wero be-
fore. Tho consequences Of such doctrine
arc plain. It assumes that combination OF
States may attempt to destroy tho Union BY
war, and that the people Of the loyal States
who defeat tho conspiracy In the fold can
r;ghtfully take no further step whatever to
secure the victory they have won. The Union
party claims that loyal citizens, after 80 long
and vital war, have exactly the same right
to secure tbeir victory that they have to win
it and, consequently, that when tho attempt
Of combination Of States to wrcst themselves
from ths authority Of tho Union f.ils, none Of
those States can resume their full functions