Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-02-15
lFrom the Correspondence of the Baltimore SUM-

1ne prospect OF the admission of attorneys and
counsel to the bar of the .. S. courts without sub
scribng to the test OATH is not so good as it was
some weeks ago. The Supreme Court DELAYS it's
decision which it is believed was adverse to the
constltutionalty of the law extending the test
to this class of citizens. The court is probably
unwilling to decide a question which is identified
with politics, especially there was some expec-
tation that Congress would repeal the law in re-
latlon to counsel practcing in the federal courts
Opposition has arisen in the House. and it is now
believed that Congress will not act upon the sub
lect at all until the time shall arrive for the repeal
OF the test oath in application to members of that
body. ..s. "a
There is no sign of any relaxation Of the strin-
gent policy of Congress in regard to the 'sseceded
States and their members elect Not until the
committee on reconstruction shall have completed
their system for the future government of the late
ly revolted States and witnessed its acceptance
and practical application, viii those States be rep
resented In Congress-, and then member will
be admitted who cannot subscribe to the test oath
AS nlnety-nlna out of hundred of the Southern
people south of the Potomac were more or less
engaged in the rebellion it is quite uncertain
whether, during the present generation, those
States can be represented at ,all-unless, indeed,
great change in the representation of the North
ern States in Congress shall take place. The MANY
intelligent citizens of the South, who have visited
Washington of late have come to this conclusion
The financial measures, which ought soon to en-
gage the attention of Congress, would seem to call
for the advise and assent of the Southern staple
not. But, here and there is rub. Secretary Harlan
declared in his address the other day that ''some
of our wisest financial mem express fears of the
admission of Southern members at this time
This fear is based upon the supposition that the
Southern representatives, fifty-fve in number
would control legislation on the subject of the
national debt, and take steps for its reputation
la thing without probability reason Of
course it is assumed by 'Our wisest financial men"
that half of the Northern representatives of the
Northern people are prepared for repudiation.
No confidence, therefore, seems to be placed in
the unanimous declaration by the House, at the
opening of the session, that the debit should
never be repudiated. '"" .is.-
The constitutional amendment regulating rep
resentation is before the Senate. The opening
speech against it is made by Mr.. Sumner. It is
somewhat singular that an amendment to the Or
ganic law of the land is hurried through with less
consideration than is generally given in Legislation
to private claim bill. Amy Dandir's horse, Ro-
muus, was before Congress forty years before the
claim passed. 1t is remarkable too, that in
neither House is the amendment introduced by |
explanations or arguments by the chairman of the
joint committee that reportedit. Another remark |
might be made upon the course of the discussion |
in the House, to wit: that the speeches had only |
an incidental reference to the amendment, and no
speech has been made which even pretends to en- |
ter upon the merits of the question .. =. g.. |
Mr.. Sumner takes the lead in the opposition to |
the amendment in the Senate, but his objections |
of character very different from those which |
Hltly Do eApeCIeu uCCle conservative
minority of the Senate, whose regular number of
ten will not, it is hoped, be reduced. . ~ |
Mr.. Summers objection to the amendment is |
that it countenances anti-republican institu-
tions, whereby five millions of citizens are now |
robbed of all share in the government of their |
country, though, as he says, they are taxed, di- |
rectly or indirectly for the support of the govern
ment. His argument is that this tyranny Of taxa
ton, without representation, is inconsistent with
the constitutional guarantee of republican govern
ment for each State So his proposed amendment |
to the amendment provides for universal negro |
suffrage. |
Whether the radical majorities of Congress will |
accept this improvement, they all consider it, |
is to be seen. They must keep in repose some |
ammunition for future conflicts
Some political uncertainties will soon be settled
An issue is to be made between the President and
Congress in few days. .- IOTA. |