The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-01-18
EDrroR1AL coRnEsPoNDEScE.

EDITORIAL CORRESP9 NDESEE-
WASHINGTON, January 16, 1863.
The work goes bravelv on, notwithatand-
ing our protesting friends in Virginia on
the one hand, and the rampant, greedy, and
Incompetent "lovalists on the other.
These "loyalists " are endeavoring to pro-
long game Of indaming party prejudice
which is too we'll understood in Congress to
| make an impression there. They have
been plainly given to understand that that
game had its uees aud its day: but they
are past, and il cannot be longer played for
the mere purpose of keeping men 80 incom-
peient as they have shown themselves to be-
in Office. They are further given to I'M
derstand that it is now the recognized in
terest Of the dominant party, at the head
of which stands the President elect, to re-
establish the nation in its character OF
equal confederated States upon basis
of harmony-one that will secure
order, and, as far as possible, IN
telligent and faithful administration OF
public affairs. As sine qua non part OF
this basis must be negro suffrage. and, that
settled, the Republican party cannot afford
to leeislate merely to keep certain persons
in office by DISTINGUISHING all others. This
they have been las know very plainly
told. Congress-nay, the Governments
determined on negro suffrage. 1t must exist
and does, even under military rule; and that
rule will only be withdrawn upon CONDITION
of universal suffrage. Now, to delay the
restoration of Virginia upon an issue al
ready decided-to make hopeless hight Tor
what is now hopeless matter-would be
folly unrelieved by even plausible
sophism. For such hopeless struggle shall
we delay longer the restoration OF Vlr-
einia-the revival of conference.-the re-
covery of trade and regulated industry
Whatever be the sentiments and feelings Of
a man at such time he has no right to
close his eyes upon .tacts-no right to peril
the public welfare, and especially that OF
the helpless part of society, by the idle
prolongation of strife.
The committee of nine-the true VIZ
ginia muses. who have come hither to restore
harmony-have labored with sincere and
devoted energy to bring the real condition
of Virginia and her claims to consideration
before the members of Congress. My IN
telligent contemporary of the Wing (MaJor
Charles Maurice smith) and myself have
endeavored to lay before the public the
exact progress they have from day to day
made. Neither of us has written one line
not warranted by the facts; and, indeed,
we have not fully represented the impress
sion that has been, L believe, made ny the
Virginia committee. Colonel Forney de-
clared that the arrival of the committee
here was the most opportune of events. 1t
had produced degree Of calmness anu
hope which had not before existed. This
is o fact which is generally noticed. VIZ
GINA holds her old position in the national
esteem and when she again takes her
place in the Federal councils, she will be
sincerely welcomed by oil parts OF the
Union. Her reappearance will exert a
moral force that will be pervading, and will
do a great deal to restore "peace."
To-day has been quite on active day with
the committee. Long conversations have
been held with Messrs. Poland, Boutwell,
Farnesworth, and Bingham. They are
sufficiently decided in their Republicanism
to make their opinions a fair reflection OF
those Of the decided Republicans. They
were most respectful in their attention to
the views of the committee, and responded
earnestly, fully admitting the outrageous
nature of many of the provisions of the
pending Virginia constitution, and pledg-
ing themselves to favor the striking out OF
some of them by act of Congress. Mr..
Sumner, of Massachusetts, is perhaps the
most ready, and may say enthusiastic, of
all the senators in the matter Of at once
admitting Virginia upon the basis of uni
yersal suffrage and amnesty. with few
persons to be specially excepted.
Upon the interviews and conversations
of the week between the committee and
prominent congressman and the Judiciary
Committee of the Senate, what is believed
to be definite arrangement has been reach
ed. This is telegraphed by the Associated
Press tonight. Should this arrangement
be carried out fully, our people will be re-
lieved of the test oath, Of the disfranchis-
ing clause, and probably other obnoxious
provisions of the constitution now offered to
US. This done, we pass o great peril ;
everybody save those ineligible under the
fourteenth amendment may hold office and
vote; and We are assured that this consti-
tuition will secure to Us the benefits of an
act of amnesty which Congress proposes to
pass. This law will perhaps restore poll
teal rights to all persons now deprived Of
them, save officers of the army and navy
and those members Of Congress who with
drew from that body upon the secession Of
their States in ls60-'6l. These will pro-
baby be left to take their chances for con-
gressional clemency in future acts of that
body.
Imagine q proposed settlement on this
basis. How many Virginians will refuse
to acauiesce in it? How many men would
prefer to this the agitation Of canvass
upon the constitution as it is, with the pos
sibihty Of its adoption and the terrible con-
sequences that must follow, or its defeat
with another convention, its horrors, its
waste Of the public money, and the uncer-