The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-10-07
Rlthmond Dispatth.
THURSDAY. OCTOBER :, 1862
Harmony Of the Majority.

\ little nru1y amongst the members o.
tho tri,,mnhant marty Of reconstruction leo
1, Radical hopes ola split, which were c'e'-
trallv blightcd yesterday in inc HouSc ..
Dclcratcs. The "misiakcs OF m2hi
were rightcd in few hours oil the day, aho
before the House met all was calm rs i sum
mer's sea. Let all idea that there Is to be ;"
disturbance or split be banished INTO thy
roceDtacle of visionary things. The mem
1,ars of the victorious liberal party intenG
70 carry out their platform and harmo-
niouslv to finish their work. IL there arc
any impracticables they are too few IN num-
her 10 give tone TO the policy OF the Legs
latrrc. There is too much sincerity OF pur-
pose and practical good sense in the grcaI
body of the legislators to allow them 10 D"
led off from the principles upon Which, 'Ac!
triumphcd.
We are no mans partisan. We are Inc
partisan Of Virginia, and desire 10 sec Ihi.'SS
managed in the best way to promote hei
peace and prosperity. In the elections 'i''
The Legislature had to make we hopeu %
see chosen those who were least obnoxious
10 objections on the score Of sectional pre-
iudice. We are still in some sort unde'
dureSS. and subjected TO the criticism u
those who rule the country. We know lh"'
all our citizens are true to their allegiance
TO government and laws. But it would he
neither wise nor proper for Us TO elect 10
prominent places those amongst them whose
record has been offensive to the men VII"
have to decide the question Of the admission
Of Virginia into the Union.
But while we adhere to this policy rs both
sensible and juSt.-nay, patriotlc-lt nccG
not he carried to an extreme. A, for in
stance, in the election of Speaker Of the
House, any man not disqualified by the
fourteenth amendment Is clgihle--any man
who can take Il seat in the Legislature i
equally compctcl+t, constitntionaliy, to pre-
side over its deliberations and while no
man who has expressed passionate and Hio-
lent opinions and feelings ought 10 be put
into that office, assurcdly it ought not TO hc
considered essential that the Speaker should
he aDlcto swallow the tcSt-oath Therefore
we did not think that friend GRESHAM was
exactly prudent and generous in his re
marks in the House yesterday when he eN-
pressed the opinion that the Speaker ought
TO he able to take that oath. True, the more
acceptable al Washington al the acts OF The
Legislature may be, he better: hut we
have no idea that il is expected III Washing
ton that the Legislature shall adhere 10 The
tcsl-oath qualification for its officers when
the law-ofliccr of the Government and The
Administration have decided that il Is no!
ncccSsary-not required by law. They
neither demand it nor expect it. The!
would be surprised five were to select thgs,
most offensive to their feelings but they
cannot object 10 such man ~ Mr.. TrKSEK,
OF Rappahanuock, who has been moderate
in his politics and Union man in sentiment,
pcrSiStcntly and consistently.
We understand NJ. CEEH>HAw very well.
He is an earnest patriot, and wants TO d.
what he thinks will in the best manner facil-
itatc reconstruction. But there is middle
line that is safe, and in clcctig Mr.. TURNER
that line was not departed from.
1t is we'll to understand our situation and
avoid extremes. Concession and concilia-
ton, and free, frank. and cordial intercourse
and understanding amongst the members.
will preserve peace and secure efficiency
In This spirit the great party Of restoration
the party of liheraity and cquality-wiI
maintain its organization and avoid division
and disaster.
When the election of senators comes on,
the iron-clad qualification should be c!l-.
forced and we doubt not will be. But OK
cept where necessary it should not be
deemed Indispensable. Hhc ability TO take
it is no objection in tl!c matter Of elections
10 offices but the inability to take it should
by no means exclude Il man from al office
when il is not required Iy law.
With this explanation and understanding
Of our true policy, and pursuing towards
each other the iratcrnal relations which
companionship ina struggle for the Icdcmp-
ton of all we hold dear OIL earth should in
spirc. there can he 10 split-thcrc can be
neither alienation nor diScord and the party
of liberalism and restoration will triumph
TO the end, and lift up Virginia from the dus!
and set her free.