New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-08
VIRGINIA..
THE TEMPER OF THE PEOPLE.

| STRUCT RECONSTRUCTlON.
| To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The politics of Virginia have been made to as
sumo new phase since the decision of Attorney.
General Hoar has been promulgated, to the effect
that there exists authority in the Reconstruction
laws for the imposition of the tes-oath upon the
Gently elected members Of the Legislature The Dis
| trict Commander. Gen. Candy, is thus relieved, by
authority of the highest law officer of the Govern
ment, of the necessity under which he assumed him.
self to be placed, of virtually nullifying the late
election by preventing the assembling of the egs-
ators elected thus also delaying the Inauguration Of
| the new State Government, and the return of the
State to her normal relations with the Federal Gov
eminent. The practical consequences of the AttOr-
ney Generals opinion are, the election returns will
now at be formally and officially announced from
headquarters the Legislature, onhe first Tuesday fol
lowing such proclamation, will assemble and organize,
and the State olcers-Governor, LieutenanGoyernor,
and Attorney simultaneously with the
adoption OF the State Constitution, Will be installed ana
invested with functions that pertain TO their several
positions. Under the decision Of Mr. Hoar, 1t would ap
pear that the Legislature is estopped from any action
except such legislation Congress has made necessary
preliminary the application OF the State for the ac
ceptance by Congress Of It's Constitution and It's own re-
admission within the Union. According TO that ohcers
theory the status OF the Legisature-whch is generally
accepted sound and arhe Legislature to all nens
and purposes provisional rather conditional body
except that Congress, in the exercise Of authority
which asserts and for satisfactory to ITSELF has
vested it with the power Of permanent legislative
ganizatlOn, for the sole purpose of rayng the XVIII
Amendment Of the United States Constitution. In ex-
ceeding that function and assuming TO act under Con-
sttuon not yet approved by Congress- the LegisakTe
would become provisional body. and subject itself 70
the requirement of the testoatb is believed there
FORE that the officers elected to complete the organization
OF the two Houses Of the General Assembly, to enable
them to discharge business formally and properly will
be only temporary appointments and that the Houses
will adjourn Immediately on ratfyins the XVIII Amend
ment.
1t may be said here that The LyJehb,vg Republican,
Walker paper suggests that the Legislature prepare
| memorial to Congress
setting forth the honest submission of the people OF
be pnrnoe 70 eaTV ont the poeV of ConSresS and to
support the Administration to execute fully and faith:
| States"
| The Republican adds:
1.-THE Legislature the signatures OF its members.
might pledge itself to regard the interests OF all classes
and races With equal s2eitude ana to secure lne Just
ident that Congress would accept such assurances,
coming from the first Legislature OF the New Virginia. and
that all the clamOr and falsehoods of the baled and
reckless prOscripve conspirators would spend them
selves in vain and useless sound"
It would seem that henceorth the State OF Virginia,
taxed trial has been for many years. and beset
with trouble without and within. would now have no
further difficulties TO encounter in its progress back into
the Union Every condition imposed by the law Of Con-
gross has been faithfully complied with; every pledge
given TO the Administration has been fulfilled. The old.
impractcable politicians have been ignored and their
counsels rejected; new men; inspired Win the moYes
Pnsiican Executive has been chosen; Republican Con.
aud political privileges and franchises and cmbOdyine
liberal provisions for popular education, has
this movement OF Reconstruction and reconciliation the
best and rgest native sons Of Virginia have hands
her recenyadopted citizens from Northern states op.
Southern school, and the other by implacable and
proscrptiye Radcalsmany Of them turn-coat Confed'
ssts Ha G%SPS these had they Needed
the Union League of NewYork, when sought to expel
you from its % % 20 10 IEnhu b
Civil War was like trying to plant colony on an iceberg,
| The party of liberal Republican principles rode
roug.shod over the feeble BourIons, and defeated,
scrptiye aud faction, which had united In
port Of its candidates the great bulk OF the
chsed colored voters by arfny WORKING upon their as
OF the former slayeholdng and Conservative ele
Suffrage 1t overcame both these parties of opposion
only 5000 votes, representing the Bourbon OPPOSE
PrOscrptye candidate, was beaten by majority OF more
than 1900 votes and the disabling clauses Of the Cons
tuition were rejected by 10000 votes.
may not be just to charge that Is the sole motive
Of nnger which induces the friends Of inc s de
by every possible objection and obstruction ~ is nor
vdious and stringent prescription should expect thls
their opponents that they have the power shoud
practice against them unfriendy and Injurious legls
laOn BE this as i may the organs Which sa ported
the Legislature and to delay indefinitely The installation
OF the new State Government and now, when the effort
has miscarred to induce Congress TO reject The Cons
tlon submitted by Virginia, to impose new and more
rigid conditions and TO deny the State readisson aud
representation. The endeavor is being made
TO represent Legislature secretly nimca to
the policy Of Congress and the acts Of and
the newlyadopted state Constitution. The leading
Wells journal OF the State, indeed has the erontery 10
haf ln
itinends TO avoid and destroy the Constitution
ratified by popular majority OF more than .ooooY1as
the who are intrusted with The duty OF putting
petty aud dishonest arguments that the enemies OF re
constructions OF the Union aud OF liberal kepu1ueah s,
consent descend in their passionate struggle 10 On
troll the patronage aud retain the ascendency OF VIZ
But all these personal and partisan cam5rs to the con-
trary Notwithstanding, Virginia stands to-day on q oyai
Republican basis OF Reconstruction NiCoI, h "
the champions OF old exploded doctrines Weh Ioeuea
her development and prosperity and oyer the adyosates
Of cruel prescription WHICH Tins U s,%dinr c,,ct and
hopeful her bright face turned upward TO me SHINING
VI non fresh career OF industry, progress, and
schey ement; with disabled ana naeontent class 70
nae Sscord within her borders with no repr0ach OF In:
i"iice on her code Of laws with popular sense of
wrong or resentment against the Federal Government
Va 70 her assumptions of duty and allegiance I'm the
mast she is no less true TO the new obligations now de-
volved her. and freely accepted ny her Inc Same
tery Heights at Getysburg Is now eulstcd III the Union
cause bears alof the od hag and keeps step to loyal
Snch is believe true statement of the prevailing
temper OF the Virginia people They only ask that all
hands be left free to labor material dcveopmcnt
and restoration of the state IL will be- their aniDea
under the brighter and happier auspices which nov
attend them, study processes OF development; 70
master arts Of culture 10 open the varied iDnera
treasures which the earth locks Ia her bosom 10 eAtenu
their system Of interior communications; TO compiete
projected works OF internal improvement 10 ereh 'neI
lands and stimulate their producton to establish ana
encourage manufactures; to naugurae commercial in-
with other countries beyond tue ss
which sparkle with stones OF hre sue y i.s nv