Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-04-20
Gen. stoneman's Report.

From the Official report of Major General
Stoneman, recently in command of District
No. l, We make the following extract, which
gives forcble illustration of the state of af-
fairs in our once exalted Virginia =
"0f the thirty.nine Commonwealthis at
torneys recommended, two declined, nine
were previous appointments by district COM
mander, fourteen could not take the oath of
office, and eleven accepted and were appoint,
ed. In regard to the clerks of county and
circuit courts, recommended for the same
purpose, the results were about the same.
ut will be seen from the foregoing what
means have been used to fill the Offices in the
State of Virginia, made vacant by joint reso-
luton OF February 8, 1869, aud the follow
ing are the results as shown by the records
Number of offices in the State, 5 546
number filled by General Schofeld, 532
number filled by General Stoneman, 1872
number able to take the oath. 329; number
of vacancies yet to be filed, 2,6l3.
'How many of those recently appointed
will not accept, cannot qualify or will be un-
able to furnish the requisite bonds, remains
to be seen, and this humber should be added
to the vacancies yet to be filled.
"In accounting for the very small number
oath of office it must be taken into considera-
ton that Virginia was one great battlefield
during the war; that there was u small chance
for escape from the rigors of the conscript
laws; that nearly every man was directly un-
der the eye and control of the Confederate
government, and that some time or other
nearly every one gave laid, countcnance,
counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged
in armed hostility to the government of the
United States and besides, once having
gagged in the war, probably no portion Of the
Southern people, old aud young, male and
female. were more earnest in their prosecu>
tion of the war.
The conclusion will force itself upon every
intelligent mind that if, with all the efforts
that have been made and the latitude that
has been allowed, the offices in the State have
not been filled by competent persons, they
certainly cannot be filled when the restric-
tions of any one party are to be observed and
complied with, as will be the case upon the
adoption of the proposed constitution, under
whict it is desired by some that the people
of Virginia shall be forced to live, and to the
requirements of which they are expected to
consent.
AS to the character and qualifications Of
those appointed, though they are not in all
cases what could be desired, yet they are, III
the main, the best that the material afforded.
The fact should be taken into considera-
tiOn that they in most cases came from that
class of persons who never efcre had been
trusted by, and in many cases are comparative
strangers to the people.
MANY were found who we're willing to
take the test oath, and who, ut some time,
|. upon stigation, were proved to have been
amongst the most active participants in the
rebellion.
These, with zeal ever nnimating new
converts, were willing to take almost any oath
which would secure them recognition and an
office. Discretion very necessary in max
ing selections from this class. Very many
who were known to have been Union tnen
before, during and since the war; have not
found it compatible with the dictates of their
consciences to subscribe to the oath required
bv law, and the services Of such have been
lost to the State"
! General Stoneman has a just remark on
! loyalty, which we will reproduce for the ben
eft of our Northern exchanges which may
not have read his report. He says
'My definition of loyalty to the govern
| ment has been more comprehensive than the
one adopted by some political lexicographers,
who would restrict its application to those,
and to those only, who were willing to pledge
! themselves to vote for this or that candidate
for some high Office, the number of the loyal
thereby being inversely proportionate to the
number of candidates"
The Report calls attention to another mat,
ter which is worthy of the consideration Of
those members of Congress who have listened
to the misrepresentation of the carpet-bag
| faction in this State:
'The general quiet and good order that
has existed throughout the State since my
last report, and even now exists, is, under all
the circumstances, worthy Of special notice
and particular attention"