The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-10-08
VIRGINIA..
The LcRIsIature..The "PrOtesr' Iu the
Senate.
Message from Gov. Walker..A Sound
Document,

Message from Gov. Walkor..A BOund
Document,
RICHMOND, Oct. I.
In the Senate, q protest olthe Repub.
llcan caucus against the legality OF the
body was taken up and read at length;
itannounces that the Repub bllcan mem
bers reserve to themselves the right OF ut
any time, to recede from the present
legislature. and organize by themselves
legal and loyal legislature; the Sem
ate voted to lay 1t on the table. In the
discussion Republican said he regard.
ed those who Joined In making their
protest, RS representing the Adminla-
tration and Congress until the Presl.
dent and Congress should decide other.
wise. II was announced that General
Candy had replied 10 the Committee OF
the Legislature, which waited on him,
that he had:no communication to make.
GOVERNOR WALKERS MESSAGE.
Governor Walker sent in message
on the 18th Amendment. He says:
The people Of this Commonwealth at
the late election, by an overwhelming
majority, accepted and adopted the
principle sought to be incorporated Into
the Constitution by this amendment,
recognizing the civil and political
equality OF all men before the law. The
we'll known honor and integrity Of the
people Of Virginia forbid even the sup.
position that they would fail TO adhere
10 and maintain, while necessary and
possible, any principle to which they
had yielded their adherence. Virginia
always ful6lls, with most ample good
faith, all her pledges, but our people,
by their action, have not only placed
the political rights OF all our oitl-
zens on q firm and enduring basis,
but they have accomplished much
more. We have Increased, prospeo-
lively, the power and influence Of our
State In the National Council by
broadening the basis Of representation
under the l4lh article OF the Constltu.
ton OF the United States. When In any
State the right OF suffrage Is abridged
except for crime, the basis OF repre-.
sentatlon must be reduced In a cores
ponding proportion; although we have
wisely settled this question SO far as
our State is concerned and banlshed
from the theatre OF State politics this
prolific source Of Irritation and discord,
there Is reasonable ground for appre-
hension that II the 10Th Amendment
should fall OF adoption as part Of the
Federal Constitution, our State may
be flooded with and the control thereof
pass into the hands OF class OF emf
grants from the great States lying upon
or near our borders, who Will seek
the enjoyment Of those civil or political
rights accorded to them here, but
denied to them there. Self protection,
therefore, demands that we do our part
towards securing the ratification OF
that amendment. Our interests re-
require II; our faith is pledged TO 1t.
He considers the election OF Senator
clearly requisite 10 admission, and
adds that complete restoration IL ac-
Complished by admission 10 represen-
t2lion In Congress. and there can be no
question that admission to representa-
ton may to some extent depend on the
representatives elected. While the
election Of Senator would fully COM
plete every preparation necessary for
the prompt admission OF the State to
representation In both Houses OF Con-
Rress, the election OF suitable men for
those exalted positions would unmis~
takeably demonstrate the sincerity OF
our past action and afford sure guar
anty Of our intentions and purposes for
the future. In conclusion he says:
Permit me to congratulate you upon
the progress already made towards
the restoration OF the State TO
civil government. It's good effects
are already visible everywhere with.
In the State. Confidence Is be.
ing restored; commerce is revivlng;
mining and man nufacturing enterprises
are being organized; capital is seeking
investment in our public improvements
and In our rich agricultural and miner
al lands; and above all, and more graft
flying than all, Joy and hope are taking
the place OF gloom and dependency.
Peace and prosperity arc once more
dawning upon our desolate land. Con-
soious OF the rectltude Of our own acts,
motives and Intentions, and relying on
the continued favor OF the Almighty
Dlsposer Of human events, let us grap-
pie with the living present, and conf-
IDENTIFY hope for u glorious future for
the Commonwealth.
Respectfully,
[Slgnedl GILBERT L. WALKER.