The national Republican., 1869-01-27
TIE VIRGINIA sITUArIoN.

The political condition OF virginia In re-
spect to the reconstruction OF that State 10, TO
say the least, somewhat mixed. The situa-
tion as It now presents itself to the nation,
with all Of Its embsrrassments, 10 the direct
result which may be traced to bad advice
which has been given to the people by outside
partisan politicians, whose oounsels should
not have been needed.
Had Virginia organized Its State govern
ment as did the other States, on the basis OF
the reconstruction laws OF Congress and In &C.
eordanee with the fourteenth amendment Of
the Constitution, there would have been no
difficulty, and the sea OF troubles which now
environ them would have been avoided. In
fortunately they took the advice Of Northern
copperheads and Democrats. Hence the d.
lemma In which the people OF that common
wealth now find themselves. But It is useless
now to dwell upon the pasti what is done
cannot be undone. We trust, however, a REM
edy may be found which shall obviate existing
troubles, and which will result In bringing the
"Old Domlnion" into harmony with her sister
States and with the Federal Government.
Our readers already know that there is now
In Washington a committee OF gentlemen
from that State, calling themselves Conser-
vative, whose purpose 1t is to urge upon Con-
gress the necessity, as they understand 1t, OF
that the State may be organized upon the
principles Of universal suffrage and general
amnesty" In other words, in strict accord
anee with the reconstruction laws OF Congress.
We believe that we have stated their grounds
fairly. There are several things In the policy
and conduct OF these men which are open to
criticism. We do not propose to go over the
whole ground, but simply to make one or two
points in reference to their proceedings. We
premise in this connection before entering
upon the discussion Of the questions which
we intend to raise, that we congratulate these
gentlemen that they have come up to the point
of yielding to the doctrine Of universal m an.
hood suffrage. II marks progress, and 10 hope
full for the future of their State.
But to the point. These gentlemen claim to
be Conservatives, and yet they come to .
Radical Congress, whose action they have
heretofore contemned, derided, denounced and
refused to follow, and ask that body to inter.
fere and save them from the hard terms i'm.
posed by the Underwood constitution. And
strangest Of all, their argument 10 that II Con-
gress will do this, 1t will guarantee the
triumph OF the Republican party. Do they
desire the triumph OF this partyi Ifso, why
DO they not join III We would remind these
gentlemen that possibly they may have let
slip the golden opportunity to carry their
point by waiting so long.
"There 10 a tide In the affa 70 OF men If taken
at the fiood leads on to fortune"
II, therefore, they experience some hard
ships and find that they have a hard road to
travel, they must see that their past obstinaey
has contributed to bring them into their pres
ent condition. 1t 10 never too late to retrace
our steps In a wrong direction, especially
when we see the folly of our pAAt course. To
this end, II these men desire to have their
troubles cease, let them stop that habit which
has become chronic with some OF them, OF
calling the men Of their State, no matter
whether "natiye and to the manor born or
not, who feel as deep an interest as them.
selves, to say the least, 10 the welfare and
growth of their Commonwealth, Carpet
baggers and scalawsgs." We have heard full
enough Of that sort OF talk to satisfy US that
the temper and spirit Of some OF these people,
who clamor so loudly for the modification OF
the pending eonstitution, needs TO be modified
in large degree.
We would further state that there is an.
other committee here composed of genuine
Republicans or Radicals, as they are called
who oppose the action and principles OF the
Conservative committee, and insist that the
"underwood" constitution shall be adopted
sit is. We confess to a pretty strong sympa.
thy with these people, whose republieanism N
is unquestioned, especially do we sympathize
with them as against the whllom rebels who
will not cease to denounce them as "carpet.
bsggers,n sc.
II anybody Is to take "bdek" seat in this
work ofreconstruction while agreat Common.
wealth 10 laying the foundations upon which
to construct the fabric Of free State, 1t must
be those whose spirit and temper leads
them to denounce true loyalists and honest
Union Republicans with opprobious epithets
such as we are accustomed to hear.
We do not know what any committee OF
Congress may do in the premises, or what
Congress itself will do, but we trust the IN at
ter is to be fully canvassed, and that there is
to be no party action to be repented Of here.
after.
Congress will remember, and we should all
remember, that the people OF Virginia are
laying the foundations for great and free
empire, and its foundation stones should be
righteousness, liberty and justice Thus
much Congress must conserve even to the
temporary discontinue ofsome persons W hose
conduct, to say the least, merits some punish.
ment.
The New Markot.house.
We congratulate the people of Washilaton