The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-11

i,u In Virginia.
WEDNESDAY, DEcEMRER 9.
" EINGHAM, from the Committee on
destruction, reported bill providing for
|.o'c,tinn in Virginia to be held on We'd.
S..3sy the Goth OF January next, the CUES.
~, "a he for the Constitution or against the
%s,r.,;:utiou adopted by the Convention
.I;,h met in Richmond on the Sd of De-
s,.-%er. 1867. He explained the bill, and
..:4 :, was the same as the one passed las,
7,,,r cxccpt as TO the time Of holding
bnr,ection. lie hoped that the time was
,,no- q, hand when there would be no fur
.sr complaint in that State as to the wan,
: local government resting on the consent
E; the governed.
Mr.. ELORlDGE inquired whether the
III, made any provision in reference to per-
,,,s voting who were excluded under the
Constitution and laws Of Virginia, or I'M
j.. the reconstruction acts.
N-. BINGHAM replied that the bill in
,a way changed or affected the reconstrnc.
ian nets as TO the disqualification of citi-
an, to vote in the preliminary elections.
M-. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, called
attention TO the time fixed in the bill for the
.aliiug Of the election, and expressed the
.rin:or that Congress should fix o much
ser day. lie thought that the 10th of
-,aaary was too early day for holding the
eg';on, and desired TO offer an amend
-er; substituting the second Tuesday O.
3ari. trusting, ne said, that at that time
lie Iowa. people Of that State could be pro-
rctei.
Mr.. MAYNARD remarked, in addition
- the reason assigned by Mr.. WASHBURNE,
list the middle of January was ordinarily
very inclemcnt season Of the year, and
@si il would be very difficult, if not i'm
,-scticable, to secure anything like full
rg;e at that time. He was, therefore, also
favor Of pOstponement.
N~. BINGHAM said that the time named
"a the h;ll was not fixed by the Committee
DEMONSTRATION, but had been designated
.~ convention Of the friends Of the recon-
.t-g,t;ou measures in the State OF Virginia.
nose persons were entirely satisfied that q
a;r election would be had. They we're en-
@,.lv satisfied that the result would be
.a.;.:act5ry to the friends Of the Union
.rc~vnhcre in the country. Ia last Sep
suier since the adjournment of Congress,
re legislature of Oregon, following the
lad examples Of the Legislatures of Ohio
md New Jersey, had repealed the rati-
eaton heretofore given by the people of
oregon to the fourteenth article Of amend
~eg;. lie undertook 10 say that
here were men now living who would
-,n.c to understand by absolute experience
,se ie,itiyc necessity OF that amendment to
ne Constitution of the United States, if the
government was to be maintained by laws
.s;her than by arms. 1t was in the power
4. the people of Virginia-and he desired
,.st they should have the power of exer-
.:siuc ito put an end to the contest, and
t7re,.o.c 10 this Congress the power, before
Ks adjournment on the 4th of March next,
70 silence forever, here and hereafter, all
.gcsiions as to the validity Of the ratifica-
ton Of that amendment, and as to the great
question whether il is to be henceforth
tart Of the Constitution Of the land to all
atents and purposes. Even men lately in
rebellion had come 10 understand the neces-
.tr Of this action for their own personal
rejection. If the election in Virginia
were postponed to April next, there
r, he no further action by Congress
a,:, is subsequent meeting, which might
d, ne until next December and what, he
a-syl, might no; take place in the interim
win he had indicated in the direction Of
reyo.u,ion, Cor it was nothing else but reyo-
#,lol on the part of these States No man
su.i t0resee what might take place, and he
v.u'd Ic; the responsibility OF il rest upon
gentlemen VINO proposed delay wien delay
vas dangerous. II the people of Virginia
allcl toratify the Constitution proposed by
,av Convention, then il would be the same
a- though tie bill had not passed. If, on
i,e other hand, the people OF Virginia did
rl:~ ;hcir Constitution, and ratify the
Thirteenth article Of the amendment,
great result would be obtained. And he
o~.ce! leave TO gay here, advised y-haviug
-eai the Constitution presented TO the peo-
lie Of Virginia for raiihcation--that from
.ae day Of the first attempt 10 establish
.aguJ.:caa government On this continent to
e present hour, more republican form Of
:ycrnmeut never had been adopted by the
people Of any State.
Nr. ELDhIDGE desired to know The-
.c:, !: tie State of Virginia should refuse
acoit the Constitution submitted to it,
@.t would be an act Of revolution.
Mr., BINGHAM replied in the negative.
lie veu;urcd to say here that when the
lesiion would be broadly made before the
American people (and if those movements
vent on il would eventually be made) Whe-
TIER any State is in revolution, and is
guilty Of revolutionary action, which I'M
l.rtaAcs 10 repeal IT'S prior action on an
amendment Of the Constitution, the people
.N| !. Il
.a:e thar il was revolutionary. To make
himself fully understood, he desired to say
lathe State Of Oregon was guilty Of re-
'5.gt!on in the action 1t had taken. That
u9te was not a proper mode Of amending
ne Constitution. On the contrary, 1t was
n sct Of revolution, step towards
insrchy, and for one be desired TO hasten
-ch action on the part OF the people of Vir-
.l!2 as would result in putting an end to
ny further controversy about the question
10 whether the fourteenth article Of the
Constitution had been ratified. That was
ae reason why he desired TO see this bill
!ssed, and passed speedily, go that there
~'sEt be an end OF this trial. If the peo-
e or the United States desired to throw
that amendment, they knew how to do
IN the mode prescribed by the Constitu-
on
Ar. FaRNSWORTH [auother member of
he Reconstruction Committed stated the
'ason6 which controlled his judgment and
-1de him favor the bill. He thought the
.ecton in Virginia should take place be-
re the adjournment Of Congress, IN order
'~a, Il the Constitution were not adopted,
..cn action might be taken by Congress as
',ad be neediul in the premises. He be-
eyed that the prevailing opinion was that
&c Constitution would be adopted. The
',h.c there wanted security, peace, and