Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-11-12
EDITORIAL BRRVTTITS.

gin UOHatu the payment OF the interest OF the
national debt 1fthere were more economy
in public Affairs there would be less talk about
the repudiatiOn of the public debt. The peo-
pie are everywhere beginning to feel the
effects of corruption in the shape Of diminish
ed business activity and scarcity Of employ
ment. At last the signs Of the times indicate
the termination of the reign of corruption
only the reform must emanate from without,
not from Willingly the people and not by
Congress.
The President has resumed the cousid-
Grafton of Hon. james A. Seddon's petition
for pardon. MIR. Seldom was formerly Secre-
tary of War of the Confederate States, and
his pardon is recommended by Horace Gree
ley, Henry Ward Beecher, Augustus Schell,
VIM. E. Dodge. ex-member of Congress from
New York, and several other prominent resi-
dents of New York. Gov. burnside, of Rhode
Island, also recommends his pardon.
Lawyer Bradley, Sr., of Washington,
has returned answer to the rule of the Su-
preme Court of District of Columbia to show
cause why he should not be punished for con-
tempt, by attesting that the regular time for
adjOurniDg the court had passed by when he
made use Of discourteOus language to Judge
Fisher, and that the note he gave him was
not a challenge.
The Lynchburg Republican says We
understand that the negroes are behaving
themselves with outrageous insolence and vio-
lencc in Bedford county. In reply to intima-
tiOns that they will be dismissed from employ
ment for associating themselves with the
League, they boldly and plainly avow they
have no fears, and are perfectly able to. pro-
tect themselves. If the negroes invoke the
war of races, they will have to suffer all the
dreadful consequences which will ensue from
its Inauguration. There can be no doubt that
some such purpose is in their minds. Let
their movements be watched by the whites,
and opposed by systematic and organized
defence.
"A Washington despatch to the New
York World, dated Nov. 4th says that alarm
ing accounts reach Gen. Grants headquarters
from all parts of the South relative to the ne
gro troubles. General Grant has ordered the
military commanders to preserve peace at all
hazards.
The Tidene, published at Fairrnont,
Marion county, says it is understood that both
the delegates elected to the Legislature from
that county are pledged to vote for the re-
peal of the present registry law Of the State
We think 1t exceedingly unfortunate that the
Conservative party did not make the repeal
of this detestabhe law on issue in the late
election. The abuses which have character
lied the administration of this Ubiquitous law,
and the odious features of the law itself,
should cause its repeal; but this We need not
hope for SO long as the people select such rep
resentatives as Joe Chapline.
1t has been decided that all the mutila-
ted national bank Dotes sent to the Office Of
the Comptroller of the Currency in Washing
ton for, destruction and exchange for new
notes, should be in packages of Eve hundred
dollars, and should in all cases be cancelled
before sending by cutting out the signatures
of the officers, otherwise the notes will be re-
turned at the expense of the bank for cancel
lation.
A pretty fair estimate of the magnitude
Of the national debt may be formed when the
fact is called to mind that, in a recent state
ment, clerical error occurred of some thir>
teen millions Of dollars. When a clerk has
room for making trifing error like that, it
may be assumed that the entire debt must be
moderately large.
General Schofcld has addressed COM
muuicatiOn to Governor Pierpoint, in answer
to letters received from members of the Vir-
ginia Legislature, requesting the Governor to
Uniform the members of the late Legislature
that the regular session of the Legislature for
the coming winter will be dispensed with"
The War Department has issued an OF
der announcing that all the appointments in
the army under the act of July %, 1866,
have been made, and higher standard of
qualification will be required in future Sc
cond lieutenancies will be filed first from nom
commissioned officers and West Point cadets,
and if vacancies remain they will be supplied
from civil life.
The new Legislature of New York will
not have the selection of United States
Senator in place Of Governor Morgan; the
statement to the contrary was erroneous; nor
will the Legislature of Wisconsin be called
upon to elect a successor to Senator DOolittle
The terms of both the Senators named ex>
pire on the 4th of March. 1869, but as the
members of the lower house in these two
States are elected annually, the election of a
Senator viii devOlve on their successors, to
be elected one year hence.
The question whether railroad compa-
ny which has printed on its tickets that it is