Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-07-16
The attitude of Yirginia.
[From the New Y ork Tribune.l


We notice in certain journals a state.
ment that the Editor of the Tribune
had telegraphed to the Governor-elect
of Virginia, oongratulatipg him on hi.
triumph, and assuring him that Con.
gress would make haste to facilitate the
restoration of Virginia to her ancient
and proper place in the Union, r
There is no shadow of truth in this.
We have neither telegraphed nor writ.
ten to this effect to any person whatev-
er, MOI, to Mr.. Walker at all, I've can
not say what Congress may do in the
premises, and have not assumed to
speak IN its behalf ei-- 4'-
But this We can say right heartily,
that we hope Congress will prom pity
and joyfully encourage Virginia to re-
sumo, under her organization jurt ef
fected, that place in the National coun-
ellis which she should never have relin.
pushed The late vote of her people
was the fullest ever given there was
perfect order and quiet at her polls;
aAd no one was entitled to cast ballot.
Her free republican Constitution, with
all prescriptions aud disfrahchisement
stricken out, has been ratified by tue
largest majority ever given for any Con.
si;.ution of any Statej and we should
esteem il grave public misfortune that
such an overture should be repealed.
Then you would Fave the members
elect to the new Legislature admitted
TO their seats without taking The iron
clad oath 7" I.A.ts- ..lta..
Most certainly. THIS has teen al
lowed in other States; why not in Vir.
ginia /? Every one should take the
oath Of fidelity to the Government and
Constitution, but not be required to
swear that he ReOer gave aid or comfort
to the Rebellion. IL seems to US a
strained constitution Of existing laws
which requires this. ,s-. =
There is nothing TO be gained by
shutting on. of the new Legislature
two-score or SO of the foremost men Of
the State, while we could not fail to
lose by it tho moral effect of their
voting TO ratify the XIV Amendment.
W. need their votes for this, far more
than they need tie seats to which they
have been elected. 'ar
The recen. triumph of the Walker
party was won on. the ground of
in the Reconstruction pol.
Joy Of Congress- with resistance b. sny
further or other penalties or proscrip.
tions than are therein set forth Doubt,
less, a maj ,rity of Walker men would
have preferred somewhat different terms;
but they have asienied to these, and
they should DO held to them, ana dealt
with accordingly.
The Walker movement absorbed TO
itself men of all parties add of no party
at all. IL embodied ut least nine cen,
twentieths of the Whites, aud very
fraction of the Blacks.
While it embraces all who would natur.
ally incline to the Democratic party,
includes at least Twenty Thousand Re.
publicans. Congress aud the Admins
istratiou might drive it into, utilization
with the Sham Democr' . but it is not
the interest on the one ride to drive, on
the other 10 be driven, thithei: SO we
judge that il will not be done. Thu
real danger is that that will be done
reluctantly, haltingly, grudglngly, un.
graciously, which ought 10 30 done
promptly, heartily, gracefully. II is
quite possible to do wise thing un.
wisely, and thus to lose the credit Of
doing what cannot at last be left IN.
iope.
We need the vote of Virginia for the