The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-07-15
FOR GOIERNOR,
Franklin Smith.
THE VIRGINIA ELECTION.
OF WATERNILLE.

The victory of the conservatives in the late
contest in Virginia is sweeping and complete.
Walker is elected by 4 handsome majority
and the new Constitution is 4horn of its most
odious features.
The State Constitution submitted at this
election was framed by Convention, under
radical management, some two years ago
Its provisions confer civil and political equal
ty upon the blacks, besides prov din9 for The
Acknowledgement Of 4 large number Of whites
who were engaged in the rebellion, and eX
acting 4 rigid test oath as 4 qualification for
office. The recent session of Congress, how
ever, provided FOR Il separate vote on this and
similar provisions in the Constitutions of Nir-
ginia, Texas and Mississippi, III the discre-
ton OF the President This separate vote
was accordingly ordered The radicals who
supported Wells, made up of the mass of the
blacks, with a few whites, voted for the Con-
stitution rs originally framed. Walker and
the conservatives, composed of about all the
white voters and a few blacks, while they
voted to adopt the Constitution voted also to
strike out the clauses providing for distran-
chisement and test oathS
The result is an adoption Of the Constitu-
ton, Shom of its most obnoxious features,
and the admission to the polls Of some fifteen
thousand white voters who were not permit
ted to vote at this election These, added to
the previous excess of twenty thousand white
over the black voters, gives 4 preponderance
large enough to ensure the future control of
the State by the conservatives.
This gratifying result, we think, gives
valuable hint to the Democracy and Conser-
vative Republicans everywhere. Had the
concert of action not taken place by which
the whole Democratic strength was cast for
the boiling Republican candidate, Walker,
who avowed his disgust at the purposes of
his former associates, Wells would have
been chosen, and the obnoxious clauses have
been adopted. There are great results in
future if those who control the Democratic
party are wise enough TO smooth the way for
dissatisfied Republicans to join hands with
us. While we would counsel no sacrifice of
principle, we would not advise that men be
repealed because they have not always agreed
with lis.
The elements Of discord and dissolution are
at work i'll the radical party. The tariff re-
strictions Oh copper, iron, eordage and the
material of ships are crippling New England
commerce. The duty on coal, which Nova
Scotia is full, is inducing a fuel famine on
our coast. The want OF proper reciprocity
by which Provincial lumber can be landed
here, makes il impossible for Il anof moder-
ate means 10 build himself house The
odious high tariff, in all its forms, is making
the rich richer and the poor poorer The
enormous interest on the public debt the nom
taxation of bonds. and kindred wrongs, are
grinding the people terribly. There are NUT
terings and restlessness that betokcn action
The storm will burst soon.
Let us assure these men, our late oppo-
nentS, Of sympathy and readiness to cooper
ate in measures of reform, without eNactino
the test of issues that are obsolete or second
airy. In q word-let us be wise. Where
Virginia leads, we need not fear to follow.