Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-10-14
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
RIcHMoSD, OcToBEa 5.

OtOA od0 viz tAOuoC thOH VII
til tomorrow. when permanent officers
will be elected
Mr.. Bowden, Wells Republican, pro-
tested against any officer, temporary or
permanent, taking his seat, who had not
taken the "iron clad" oath.
The Senate met. with Lieutenant Gov
ernor Lewis in the chair Organization
was not completed. but it will be that of
the caucus last night.
Davis. old incumbent, Clerk; Writ
Harrison, old incumbent. Sergeant-at-
Arms Minor. of Loudoun, First, and
Abraham Hall, colored, Second Door
keeper.
RICHMOND, OcTocER 7.
In the Senate the protest of the Repub
lican caucus against the legality of the
body, was taken and read at length. 1t
announces that the Republican members
reserve to themselves the right, at any
time, to secede from the present Legisa
ture. and organize by themselves legal
and loyal Legislature. The Senate voted
to lay it on the table.
In the discussion Republican said he
regarded those who joined in making this
protest as representing the Administra-
ton and Congress until the President and
Congress should decide otherwise.
1t was announced that General Candy
had replied to the committee of the Leg
islature which waited on him that he had
no communication to make.
Governor Walker sent in a message
OF the Fifteenth Amendment be says. the
people of this Commonwealth at the late
election by an overwhelming majority &C
cepted and adopted the principle sought
to be incorporated into the Federal Con.
stitution by this amendment, viz. +: The
civil and political equality of all men be-
fore the law.
The well-known honor and integrity Of
the people of Virginia forbid even the sup
position that they would fail to adhere tc
and maintain, while necessary and posi-
Bile. any principle to which they had yield
ed their adherence. Virginia always full.
fills, in the most ample good faith, all
her pledges; but our people, by this
action, have not only placed the politica
rights of all our citizens upon firm ana
enduring basis. They have accomplished
much more-they have increased, pros
pectlvely, the power and Influence of oul
State in tine National councils by broaden
ing the basis Of representation under the
18th article of the Constitution of tht
United States When in any State the
right of suffrage is abridged, except fol
crime, the basis of representation must be
reduced in corresponding proportion
Although we have wisel settled this cues
banlshed forever from the theatre of State
politics this prolific source of irritation and
discard, there is reasonable grounds fol-
apprehension that if the Fifteenth Amend
ment should fail Of adoption as part o
the Federal Constitution, our State may
be flooded with and thereafter pass into
the hands of class of emigrantS from the
great States lying upon or near our Dor
ders, who will seek the enjoyment Of those
civil and political rights accorded to then
here, but denied to them there. Self pro.
lection, therefore, demands that we Dc
our part towards securing the ratification
| of that amendment Our interest requires
it. Our faith is pledged.
He considers the election of Senators
clearly requisite to ad nission, and adds
Complete restoration is accomplished By
admission to representation in Congress
and there can be no question that admis
sion to representation may to some exten
depend upon the representatives elected
| While the election of Senators would full
ly complete every preparation necessary
for the prompt admission of the State tt
representation in both houses of Congress
the election of suitable men for those ex.
allied positions would Enthusiastically dem
onstrate the sincerity of our past action
and afford a sure guarantee of our inten
tions aud purposes for the future.
In conclusion he says: Permit me
to congratulate you on the progress al
ready made towards the restoration of the
State to civil government. Its good eff.
fects are already visible Everywhere
within the State confidence is being res
tored, commerce is reyiying, manutaotur
ing enterprises are being organized, cap
ital is seeking investment in our public
improvements, and in our rich agricultu
tural and mineral lands; and above and
more gratifying than all. JOY and hope are
taking the place of gloom and despon-
dency.
Peace and prosperity are once more
daWning upon our desolated land. Con.
scious of the rectitude of our own acts,
motives and intentions, and relying upon
the continued favor of the Almighty dis
poser of events, let us all manfully crap
pie with the living present, and confident
ly hope FOR glorious future for the com.
monwealth Respectfully.
GILBERT G. WALKER.
The Legislature adjourned after the
reading of the Governors message
The Governor, in his message, express
es his conviction that the Legislature
would ratify the Fifteenth Amendment,
voluntarily, even if it was not requisite
of admission He recommends the ap-
pointment. at this session, of the standing
committees, in view Of the fact that our
educational and judiciary systems must be
remodelled and placed in harmony with
the Constitution, and our internal i'm
provements demand the gravest consider
ton.
RICHMOND, OCTOBER 8.
In the Senate, to-day, before adjourn