New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-06
PUIING By TESTOATHS,

The full text of Attorney Hoars
oninion in the Virginia case rs even more
satisfactory than the Geographic synopsis given
in our last. He does not simply oyerruie Gen.
Canby's purpose to impose the iron-clad oatn
ON every officer just elected by the people OF
yirginia-he afirms the injustice and uhfeasoh
of doing the like in any case or under any
circumstances. Witness these ringing WORDS:
"WheB Virginia IL restored to its proper reia,4hs 20
the country as State OF the Union ITS officers ana Legs
iature will be such the Constitution, 9 tne oa'e C 6
W Clearly not be- n the power Of Congress to impose
any requirement OF additional upon ~ tha
United states, may bo required in all the States IL
therefore, tests we're to De % Sp9n ~ yr
gna or any restriction imposed upon the people OF tns
State in their choice OF Officers not recognized by ~ SMa
cress to ali the states the Leg,lare and officer. T1Md
not opinion Ss the ae0sdd n ot a ss at cogorss,
can undertake f1rish he STATE ,eith suitable Leosa
M g star" or sos ss''s S any fS"Us s Ssss eS
sttS"qtnt LeOisle!ures am therefore ore tS ol
s SRnSfP of 1884, and by the July 1861
chapter 80 section required be taken by all persons
or 10 S se or authority
is not to be required Of the officers OF the S'ae M ha
SsW It does not seem to that the
visions of this ninth section which are applicable to the
Intended TO apply to the Legislature and Officers under
whom the State be restored to its proper 10
the Union and by whom the Government OF the Stae ID
TO be administered after It's restoration"
We need not say that we have always
held those views, though we maNnot have ex-
pressed them so forcibly. Uttered by the chief
law officer of the Government. they have
very wide application and profound signifi-
canoe. They will nip in the bud sundry
schemes and devices for ruling majorities by
obnYis haA IN
States than Virginia.
Mr. Hoars conclusion that the Legislature OF
Virginia can only act on the XVIII Amendment,
prior to recognition by Congress, results inev-
itably from the latest action on this subject.
Congress expressly reserved the right to judge
whether the reconstruction of any OF the three
States was or was not in accordance with its
requirements. No one can deem this unreasOn-
able who holds that Congress has any rightful
control over the matter. Virginia, Mississippi
and Texas are summoned by Congress to quail
ify themselves by an election for self govern
ment and representation in the Federal
Councils; they elect accordingly, and Con-
eress is now to judge whether they have
or have not fulfilled its requirements
Meantime, the Governor and other State Off
GERS chosen by the People of Virginia will be
Professionally installed; the Legislature will
meet organize, ratify the XVIII Amendment,
and adjourn, to be convened by the Governor
elect so soon as Congress shall have accepted
the action of the State. This, we trust will
not be long after the next meeting of Con-
gress. Virginia, we believe, has been wisely
and kindly ruled by the Military, while very
lightly burdened; yet we shall rejoice to see
her once more restored to that place among
her sister States which she should never have
abandoned