New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-13
TIE ArurrDE or rIRGNI1.

! We notice in certain journals n statement
that the Editor of The TRIBUNE had tele-
/ graphed to the Govemor-eIect of Virginia,
congratulating him on his triumph, and aSsur-
| ing him that Congress would make haste 10
| facilitate the restoration of Virginia to her
ancient and proper place in the Union.
There is no shadow of truth IN this. We
have neither teegraphcd nor written to this
! effect to any person whatever. nor 10 Mr..
Walker at all. We cannot say what Congress
| may do in the premises, aud have not assumed
to speak in its behalf
But this we can say right heartily, that we
hope Congress will promptly and joyfully en-
] courage Virginia TO resume under her organ
ization just effected that place in the National
councils which she should never have reln-
! quished. The late vote of her people was the
! fullest ever given; there was perfect order and
! quiet at her polls; and no one was excluded
! who was entitled to cast a ballot. Her free
! republican Constitution, with all prescriptions
and acknowledgements stricken ont, has been
| ratified by the largest majority ever given for
any Constitution of any State; and we should
esteem it a grave public misfortune that such
an overture should be repealed.
-"Then you would have the members elect
"to the new Legislature admitted to their
"scats without taking the iron-clad oath7"
Most certainly This has been allowed
in other States; why not in Virginia Every
one should take the oath of fidelity to the
Government and Constitution, but not he re-
quired to swear that he nerer gave aid or
comfort TO the Rebellion. 1t seems to us
strained construction of existing laws which
requires this.
There is nothing to be gained by shutting
out of the new Legislature twO-score or so of
the foremost men of the State, while we could
not fail TO lose by it the moral effect of their
voting to ratify the XVIII Amendment We
need their votes for tins, far more than they
need the seats to which they have been
elected.
The recent triumph of the Walker party was
won on the ground of acquiesceace in the Re
construction policy Of Congress with resistance
to any further or other penalties or proscrp-
tiOHs than are therein set forth. Doubtless, Il
majority Of the Walker men would have pre-
ferred somewhat different terms; but they have
assented to these and they should be held to
them, and dealt with accordingly.
The Walker movement absorbed to itself
men of all parties and of no party at all 1t
embodied at least nineteen twenticths of the
Whites, and a very considerable fraction
of the Blacks. While it embraces all who
would naturally incline to the Democratic
party, it includes at least Twenty Thousand
Republicans. Congress and the Administration
might drive it into utilization with the Sham
Democracy; but it is not the interest on the
one side to drive, on the other to be driven.
thither; so we judge that it will not he done.
The real danger is that that will BE done
reluctantly, haltingy grudgingly, ungraciousy,
which ought to be done promptly heartily
gracefully. 1t is quite possible to do a wise
thing unwisely, and thus to lose the credit
of doing what cannot at last be left undone
We need the vote Of Virginia for the XVIII
Amendment-need the moral influence of her
ratification on the Fall Elections in the great
Central States. We need the effect of it's rat
ifcation by an unmutilated Legislature. Do
let us cyince common sense, and not initiate
the maladrOit candOr Of those Southern fossils