Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-03-29

From tho Rational Inteihgenoer of Tuesday.

y,
under the operation of the previous ques-
ton which is the Distinguishing feature of
Radical tactics, three amendments were
proposed and passed. The first amends
The oath SO rs TO include those members OF
the Virginia State government who were
not comprised before, on account OF the
fact that since 1S49 the members of the LIE
eislature and other State officials have not
had administered the oath to support the
Constitution of the United States. The
second amendment requires a ratification
of the Constitutions adopted by the major
ity Of the registered voters. The third
makes provision for Furnishing for perjury
those swearing falsely under this act. The
bill was then returned to the Senate.
The Senate accepted the first amendment
without hesitation, and also the third, but
Mr.. TruInbull urged that the second should
not be adopted. True, he had reported the
bill in that shape, but after the full dis
cussion of that point, he felt satisfied that
it was unwise; and if ma ority of all the
registered voters is to be required at all,
he thought it ought to be on the PROPOSE
tion to hold a convention. But he disap-
proved of it in either case.
Mr.. Sherman thought it a matter of but
little consequence either way; for if any
State adopted constitution which was sat
isfactory in all other particulars, this might
be waived. Against this Mr.. Sumner warm
ly protested. He proclaimed his unwilling
ness to waive any of the requirements
asked, and gave notice in advance, lest he
should be unjustly charged hereafter. He
believed i'll making frank declarations now
OF what we expected to have observed.
Mr.. Wiley declared it was impossible to
get out full vote on a convention ratifica-
l.; Il IL
he was satisfied there would be an effort to
defeat this reconstruction scheme, and that
all that those hostile to it had to do was to
prevent action. He believed too, that the
negroes would not be very generally in
duced to exercise their novel privilege at
the first election or two, and preferred no
bill to this with this requisite of majority
of the registered vote. For, If no bill was
passed, those friendly to reconstruction
would take the matter i'll hand in their
primary meetings, and thus secure the
adoption of State constitution which the
Senate would welcome As it was, the
whole scheme was almost certain of de-
feat.
Mr.. Wilson believed it to be great mis-
take, and in the interest of the opponents
of reconstruction. The rebel chiefs would
persuade to inaction under this bill. How
ell Cobb, who was lately in this city, had
already done so. Men who honorably
wanted the Union restored, no matter what
their fate, would act differently. Governor
Brown, after conference here with our
friends, availed himself of the first oppor-
tunity to urge the people to act, had done
SO, and was assailed for it. The State Of
fees are vacated, and most of the incum-
bents disqualified. We must expect their
hostility, which had only to take the form
of persuading to inaction to be successful
At no election was full vote ever polled
In the election of 1864 but four-fifths cast
their suffrages. No State constitution was
adopted by a majority vote of all its voters.
Considering the condition of the country,
the triumph everywhere of our principles,
and the hostility of the President, the APP
pretended attitude of the Supreme Court,
lie thought reconstruction ought to be
brought about at the earliest day, and if our
friends have any capacity for organization
they can get control OF these Southern
States, and send men here who will agree
with us Evidently, Mr.. Wilson looks at
this matter like Il practical man, that he
is.
Mr.. Fessenden proposed to go into exc
cutiye session. He thought there was lit
tie chance of coming to any conclusion to-
night, as members were evidently disposed
to make their speeches over again.
Mr. johnson regarded this as the defeat
of the measure, for On the ratification of
the convention not a half vote would be
polled. Mr.. Drake proclaimed himself in
earnest for reconstruction. This provision
should apply the vote in the convention if
at ali. As it was, it would defeat the scheme
and he was constrained to believe that it
was intended to plant obstacles in the way
OF reconstruction. He would refuse to yield
on this question to the end, and if it lead
to the failure of the measure, he was pre-
pared to go home and take the sense of the
country on the issue between the Senate
and House. No one controverted this state
ment of Mr.. brakes. It is patent that
there are some gentlemen who, like Mr.
Howard, are not in ''hot haste" to restore,
but would proceed cautiously, and with de-
lay--in other words, postpone any action
until after the next Presidential election.
MI. Salisbury referred, in complimentary
terms, to Mr.. Wilson as a frank, outspoken
man, who commanded his respect, and
then put q home-thrust. He wanted to
know why it was that at Yonkers, New
York, in New Jersey and Delaware, Mr..
Wilson had denied that negro suffrage was
an issue, but now was found so strenuously
insisting on it. Mr.. Wilson got out of this
by saying that he personally had been
known for yearsas advocating negro suffrage
but that had not been made an issue in
those States. Mr.. Edmunds contended
that the election for State officers could be
ordered on the day provided for the ratif-
cation vote.
Mr.. Morton made spirited statement
of his views, which we have before pro-
duced. This provision was delay of re-
construction. He did not charge that it
was SO intended; but the sick, those neces-
sarily detained, the sluggard as we'll as the
hostile, were all counted against the Con-
stitution. No other business was so trans
acted Men were supposed to acquiesce in
result which they did not oppose He de-
MED that there was any analogy to legis-
tive quorum, for there men were deputized
to attend continuously and for special
purpose. He declared that the party would
have to defend itself from the charge that
it was inserted for the purpose Of insuring
the defeat Of the bill.
Actions speak louder than words. 1t is
manifest that the last thing desired by the
ultras of both the Senate and the House is,
that the South should resume its place in
Congress. Their stock in trade is abuse of
the South, Their hOpes of pOlitical nre-