The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-15
THE CIRCULATION OF TIE s'DIspATCII"
is LARGER THAN THE COMBINED CIRCU-
LATIoN OF ALL THE OTHER DAILY NEWS
PAPERS OF THIS CITY, gs
The Attitude Of Virginia.

We notice in certain Journals statement
that the editor Of the Tribune had tele-
graphed to the Governor elect Of Virginia
congratnlating him on his triumph, and as
Suring him that Congress would make haste
to facilitate the restoration of Virginia to
her ancient and proper place in the Union.
There is no shadow Of truth in this. We
have neither tclegraphed nor written to this
effect TO any person whatever, nor to Mr..
Walker at all. We cannot say what Con-
"rcss may do in the premises, and have not
assumed to speak in its behalf.
But this we can say right heartily, that
VIC hope Congress wilt promptly and joy
fully encourage Virginia to resume. under
her organization just effected, that place in
the national councils which she should
never have relinquishcd. The late vote of
her people was the fullest ever given; there
was perfect order and quiet at her polls ;
to cast ballot. Her free republican con-
Stitution, with all prescriptions and dis
franchisements stricken out, has been rati-
fled by the largest majority ever given for
any constitution of any State; and we
should esteem it grave public misfortune
that S,chan overture should be rcpclled.
Then, you would have the members
elect to the new Legislature admitted to
their seats without taking the iron-clad
oath?" ..-..
Most certainly. This has been allowed in
other States; why not in Virginia? Every
one should take the oath of fidelity to the
Government and Constitution, but not be
required to swear that he neoer gave aid or
comfort to the rebellion. 1t seems to us a
strained construction of existing laws which
requires this. '.'.
There is nothing to be gained by shutting
out of the new Legislature two-score or so
E. Ck,A. ,1,sl
could not fail to lose by it the moral effect
of their voting to ratify the fifteenth amend
ment. We need their votes for this far
more than they need the seats to which they
have been elected.
The recent triumph Of the Walker party
was won on the ground of acquiescence in
the reconstruction policy of Congress. with
resistance to any further or other penalties
or prescriptions than are therein set forth
Doubtless majority of the Walker men
would have preferred somewhat different
terms; but they have asSented to these, and
they should be held to them, and dealt with
accordingly.
The Walker movement absorbed to itself
men of all parties and of no party at all. 1t
embodied ut least nineteen-twentiethS OF
the whites and very considerable fraction
of the blacks. While it embraces all who
would naturally incline to the Democratic
party, it includes ut least 10000 Republ-
cans. Congress and the Administration
might drive it into attiliAtion with the sham
Democracy but it is not the interest OH the
one side to drive, on the other to he driven.
,hithcr. So we Judge that it will not he
done. The real danger is that that will be
done reluctantly. haltingly, grudsingly, I'M
gracouSly, which ought to be done
promptly, heartily, gracefully. 1t IS quite
possible to do wise thing unwi>cly, and
thus to lose the credit of doing what cannot
ut last be left undonc.
We need the vote Of Virginia for the XVIII
jamendment-necdt the moral influence of
her ratification on the fall elections i'll the
great central States. We need the effect OF
it, ratification by IN unmutilatcd LeGisla-
turc. Do let Us cvince common sense. and
not initiate the maladroit candor OF those
southern fossils who vote to give the blacks
the right of manhood but tell them at the
same time that they wouldn't do so if they
could well help it.-Nc,c York Tribune.