The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-08
VIRGINIA..


Waiker-RafIhcntion of the Fifteenth Amend
ment Urged.
RICHMOND Oct I, 1869.
In the Senate tho protest OF the republican caucus
against the loyalty OF the body was taken up and
| read az length IL announces that the republican
members reserve to themselves the right at any time
10 secede from the present Legislature and organize
| by themselves legal aud loyal Legislature.
The Senate voted to lay 1t on the table.
In the discussion republican said he regarded
those who joined IN making this protest as repre-
sentng the administration and Congress until the
President and Congress should decide otherwise
II was announced that General Candy had replied
to tine committee OF the Legislature which waited
upon hIm that he had no communication to make.
Governor Walker sent In the following message:-
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
RICHMOND, Va, Oet. 8, 1859.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRE-
SESTArIyES:-
Tue constitution lately adopted by the people OF
this Commonwealth imposes upon the Governor the
duty ito communicate to the General Assembly at
every session the condition OF the Commonwealth"
and TO recommend 10 their consideration such
measures Us he may deem expedlent." As your
powers and duties at the present session. however,
have been construed to be confined TO the '1imited
and qualiied purposes requisite to reconstruction"
1t viii be necessary for me on tins OCCASION in the
fnilment of that CONSTITUTIONAL obHpation TO re-
only are or seem TO be- necessary TO prepare the
State for readmission TO representation In the Con-
The 9th section OF the act OF Congress Of March
., 1857 among other things, declares that "wnen
said state, by vote or LIS Legislature elected under
said constitution shall have adopted the amend
ment TO the constitution or the United States pro-
posed by the Thtrty-nlnth Congress, and known as
article fourteen, and when said article shall have
become part OF the constitution OF the United
states said state shall be declared entitled to repre-
sentatOn in Congress. and Senators and Represen
tatlyes snail be admitted thereirom on their taking
the oath prescribed BY law" This law IS stiIl In
fu force and Virginia was named in the preamble
TO the act as one oil the States TO which 1t to be
applied. 1t viii be necessary therefore, for you to
comply with the condition therein named, although
believe that article fourteen has already been rati
fed by the requisite number OF States and has been
officially proclaimed part the constitution OF
the United states copy OF the resolution OF Con-
gress proposing article fourteen to the Legislatures
or the several states, Is herewith submitted.
In March last the Secretary Of State OF the United
States transmitted to the Governor OF this Common
wealth an Official copy Of resolution of Congress
proposing to the Legislatures OF the several States
fifteenth article TO the constitution OF the United
States, a copy OF which IS herewith submitted.
also submit herewith copies OF the two opinions Of
the Attorney General of the United States to the
powers and duties OF the General Assembly OF Viz
Our late election was authorized by an act OF Con
gress approved Apri 10, 1852 the slxtn section OF
which is In these words:--
That before the States Of Virginia. Mississippi
shall representation IA Congress their several
Legsa ,y which may 9s hereafter lawfully organized
Congress to tue several States amendment to tho
sttution OF tho United States
While by this law the ratification by the General
Assembly OF the proposed fifteenth amendment 10
the constitution OF the United states Is made con-
dIton precedent to the admission OF the state to
presentation in the federal Congress, cannot doubt
tnat you wonid cheeriuiiy raiify that amendment
even were no such condition imposed.
The people of TINS Commonwealth at the late cleo
ton, by an overwhelming majority, accepted and
ADOPTED the principle sought TO be Incorporated into
the federal constitution by this anendment--yz.,
the civil and political equality OF ALL before
the law. The well known honor and integrity OF the
people or Virginia forbid even tue Suppositou that
they would fail TO faithfully adhere to aud Maintain
while necessary and possible, any principle which
they had yielded their adherence. Virginia always
fufls in the most ample good faith Sill her
pledges. But our people BY this action have
citizens upon a nrIn and enduring basis; they
have accomplished much more. They nave increased
prospectlyely the power and influence OF our State
In the national councils by broadening the basis OF
representation. Under the fourteenth article OF the
Constitution OF the United Statos when in any State
the right OF suffrage s abridged, except for crime,
the basis OF representation must be reduced In q
corresponding proportion; Although we have
concerned and banished from the theatre OF
state politics this prolific source OF irritation ana
sion that il the fifteen nth ameniment should fail OF
adoption as o part of the federal constitution our
state may be hooded with and the control thereof
pass Into the hands OF q class Of emigrants from
the great States lying upon or near our borders,
who VIII seek the enjoyment OF those civil and
political rights accorded TO them here but denied
TO them there Self-proteeton therefore, demands
that do our part towards securing tue ratification
OF that amendment. Our Interests require IL;
faith Is pledged to 1t. When you snail have ratified
the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments 10 the
stituton OF the United states virginia VIII have COM
piled fully and voluntarily, Ia letter and spirit,
with all the conditions and requirements OF the
laws OF Congress, known as the Reconstruction acts
and will be entitled and undoubtedly Will DC admit
ted to immediate representation in both branches OF
the national legislature on us assembling In Decem-
Der next. The law OF Congress itself provides that
when these conditions SHAH have been compiled
with the estate shall be declared entitled TO rep
resentatlon In Congress, and Senator'S and Repre-
sentatves shall be admitted on their taking the
Goth prescribed by law.n
Representatives have already been elected and It
nfflu nfnafG ,fn
the representation to which the State Is emitted.
have never doubted your competency TO elect nor
the proprety or your eectng, Senators at the pres
ent session. In my opinion It Is clearly one OF the
requisites to reconstruct0n.n Complete restora-
ton Is accomplished by admission TO representation
In Congress, and there can be no question That
admission to representation may to some extent
depend upon the Representatives elected. Whtle
the election OF senators would fuy complete every
preparation necessary for the prompt admission Of
the stale TO representation in both houses OF Con-
gress, election OF suitable men for those exalted
positions would unmistakaby demonstrate the SIN
ceTity Of our past action ana aofd sure guarantee
of our intentions and purposes for the future.
In view OF the fact that the new constitution inau
gurates many radical changes In our state govern
ment and necesstates prompt aud thorough legts
ation upon almost every subject wthn Tue scope or
your powers | respectfully recommend TO both
Houses OF the General Assembly tue appointment OF
Standing Committees at the present session, cspe
ciay Tor the consideration OF nn.snce education
internal improvements aud the judiciary Tue
financial condition OF the State demands serious
and thoughtful attention OF an abe committee. Our
educational and judiciary systems aud code OF laws
must be remodelled aud placed In harmony with the
constitutions; aud our internal improvements de-
mand the gravest consideration OF your honorable
bodies. Committees upon these and other important
SUBJ ects appointed now with authority to SIC during
the recess, Will be able 10 mature bills and have
them ready for Introduction &C the opening OF yoar
next session.
In conclusion, permit me to congratulate yon upon
the progress already made towards the restoration
OF the State to civil government Its good effects
are already visible everywhere within the State.
Confidence Is being restored commerce Is revivlng,
mining and manufacturing enterprises are being
organized capital IL seeking Investment in our pub
lie improvements and In our rich agricultural and
mineral lands; and above and more gratifying than
ALL Joy and hope are taking the pace OF gloom and
despondency. Peace and prosperity are once more
dawning upon our des0lated land. Conscious OF the
rectlude or our own acts motives and Intentions,
and relying upon the continued favor oil the Almighty
Disposer OF human events, let us all manfuiiy Qrappe
with the living present, and confidently hope for
glorious future for the Common eaitn.