Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-09-03

The Test-oath for members elect to the
Legislature is still the political Hydra. Va
rious rumors are afoat concerning the prob
able action of Gen. Candy and the u S
authorities. AS the latest, we give por
ton Of a special dispatch to the Baltimore
Sun:
RICHMOND, Va, August 29.-The fol
lowing is as authentic as it is important: A
gentleman belonging to one OF the two Walk.
er State committees (whose name am mo-
authorized to divulge) has had an interview
with Gen. Candy, in which that official de.
clarcd that the only terms he had to propose
were that all ineligible members of the Leg
islature should resign, and that he would
Immediately order new elections to fill the
vacancies thus created. If men were there
upon returned who could take the test-oath,
he should further speedy reconstruction to
the extent of his ability and authority; but
if the present ineligibles did not resign, or ii
other inclgibles were elected to succeed them,
he should feel bound to refer the whole cleo
ton of July, &C., to Congress, postponing
all action till that body reviewed the matter
and gave final directions. Being questioned
as to why be had not installed Gov. Walker.
he replied that he would have done SO ere
this, but that when he issued his circular to
the members of the Legislature, inquiring
as to their ability to take the stsoath, the
conservative State committee oficiously and
seditiously interfered to prevent responses.
and that be considered the continued active
existence of that committee as standing
menace to him and reconstruction. He would
never, as long as he could avoid it, surren-
der any department Of the State government
to the practical control Of q clique composed
of men having such antecedents, and origin
ally organized in open opposition to every
measure of reconstruction.
The Richmond Wing Of the 31st, in an
editorial, gives no credit to the statements in
the above dispatch. The Journal, themouth-
piece of Radicalism in Va, on the contrary,
under the heading of ''Duty of the Hour"
speaks as follows:
"There is splendid opportunity now Of
fered for the gentlemen elected to the Legls-
lature who cannot subscribe to the test oath.
to show the entire disinterestedness Of their
motives, their devotion to tho State, and
and their zeal for the public veal 1t is no
time for selfish considerations now. The
s.duty of the hour" demands the sacrifce.-
Are there any Codruses Or Gurtiuses among
them ? Where are the Horatii and Curatii of
the democracy? Gen Candy has intimated
that he will order new elections to fill all
vacancies that may occur between this and
the meeting of the Legislature. Let the
unreconstructed give him the opportunity by
resigning. Don't pause gentlemen; it is
yonr country demands the sacrifice Re
sign or be resigned"
The Washington correspondent Of the
Baltimore Gazette writes to that paper as
follows on this subject:
II learn from good source that the prop
osition Of General Candy that the members
of the Legislature Of Virginia, who ''cannot
take the oath" shall resign, will be rejected.
It is manifest that this ruse is merely to gain
time, and is the best evidence that the re-
nowned hero is himself doubtful Of his pow
er to cxpel such representatives.
->->-<<->-----
The widely heralded meeting of the Off
GERS, {U. S. and Confederate, } who took part
in the battle Of Gettysburg, to mark the OPP
erations of both armies on the field, by en-
during memorials Of granite, has proven, as
many expected great farce. But few Of the
prominent Northern officers we're present and
only two Confederate officers Of minor grades.
The Hotel nan did lot make as muca as he
expected. when he got up the idea.
Gen. Lee was invited and forwarded the
following reply:
LEXINGTON, Va, August 5, 1869.
Dear &ir-Absence from Lexington has
prevented my receiving until to-day your
letter OF the 10Th nlt., inclospg ap invitation
from the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial
Association, to attend a meeting of the off,
GERS engaged in that battle at Gettysburg,
for the purpose of marking upon the ground
by enduring memorials Of granite the posi-
taens and movements OF the armies on the
field. My engagements will not permit me
to be present. | believe if there, could not
add anything material 10 the information
existing on the subject. I think it wiser,
moreover, not to keep open the sores Of war
but to follow the examples Of those nations
who endeavored to obliterate the marks of
civil strife, to commit to oblivion the feel
ings it engendered. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE.
The New York Herald and other North
ern papers were down on perpetuating the
memery Of Gettysburg. The Democratic
Waterman, (pa. } expresses their sentiments
in short. which for its succinctness and pith,
we copy below: = ~
Another big fuss at Gettysburg. A lot
of officers are there for the purpose of fixing
definitely the positions occupied by the troops
Oh the first days battle. Better take Gen.
Lees advice aud let the darned thing die
out Of remembrance ~, q.
Mrs. Harriet Beecber Stowe is exciting
newspaperdom with her late protested deyel-
opments in the history Of Lord Byron. We
can't understand how SO much of import is
given to the statement of Mrs Stowe. Some
go SO far as to attack her statement as lift
was indeed asa verify We remember a
so-called "true story" which emanated from
her pen, long since, and was styled "IJncle
Toms Cabin in which she protested to
give truthful picture Of Southern Slavery.
1t was based on falsehood, as was known to