Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-07-02
General Candy and sne Test Oatn

We see that General CANDY is about to
issue an order requiring the members of
the Legislature of Virginia, to be elected
next month, to take the test-Oath, ii his
| organ, the State Journal, is to be believed.
| It that official had not shown himself ut
terly disregardful of law and Justice when
| it came in conflict with party success, we
might join in the expression Of surprise in
which some Of our Northern exchanges in
dulge. General CANBI's reign in the Caro-
| linas, for we know not what else to call it,
was characterized by the grossest partially,
tyranny. and. as was proved by Governor
| WORMS letters, corruption. There was a
| boldness and openness in the expressions
of S1CKLEs and SHERIDAN that were com
mendable in comparison to the secrecy and
littleness Of CANDY. It was, however, the
unengiable distinction between the opera
tons OF the highwayman and the midnight
thief
We are glad to see that the people of
| Virginia have declared, through the press
and public speakers, that they will pay no
attention TO such an order, should it be is
sued. They have, IL every instance, nomi-
mated men for tho Legislature eligible under
the Fourteenth Amendment and under the
e1purgated Constitution of tho State for
shown greater disposition 10 obey the
laws of the General and State Governments,
and noue have done scat II greater sacri-
flee Of pride and principle, but it is too
mach to be compelled to provide FOR every
whim and order of biased partisan, who
happens to be temporarily in authority.
Virginia is about to select officers for her
own government who cannot be indicted
into Office until after the authority OF Gen
eral CANDY expires. The Governor, mem
bers of the Legislature and other officers
are to hold their positions under the Con-
situations of Virginia and the United
States, and not by authority of military
order Any ukase, therefore, from Gen
eral CANBY in regard to the qualifications
of candidates will be idle.
We further understand he protects him
self in his present assumption of power
behind the precedents he established in
this State and South Carolina. He may,
indeed, have issued such an order, of
which We have no recollection, and doubt
less did, if he thought the Radical party
would have derived any benefit therefrom
but if SO it was disregarded by both par
ties in the selection Of candidates. There
was not Conservative member of the
Legislature of North Carolina, nor, indeed,
any Radicals, except the white and black
carpet-baggers who could honestly take
the test oath, and there never was An OBJ
lection urged to any unles7 banned by the
Fourteenth Amendment. Such men as
DURHAM, and GRAHAM, a1d HIGH, and
ARGo, and other prominent members of
the General Assembly were gallant Con
federate soldiers, and no one ever raised
an objection to their holding their seats
Let the people of Virginia continue to
select candidates eligible under the Four
teenth Amendment, and pay no regard to
orders coming in direct conflict with the
Reconstruction LdUs Of Congress, the only |
authority, we believe, in this country now
recognized as superior to the edicts of |
military commander. They have our best
wishes in their struggle. Our Joy will
mite with theirs, even il their doubtful
victory, or our sympathies will follow them
in their degrading and humiliating defeat.
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