The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-08
THE OLD DOMINION.

RICHMOND, October Z.
In the Senate the protest of the Republican
caucus against the legality Of the body was
taken up and read at length. 1t announces
that the Republican members reserve to them
selves the right at any time to secede from the
present Legislature and organize themselves as
a legal and loyal Legislature. She Senate
voted to lay it on the table. In the discussion
a Republican said he regarded those who joined
in making this protest as representing the Ad-
m2istration and Congress until the President
and Congress should decide otherwise.
1t wasannounced that General Candy had
replied to the committee of the Legislature,
which waited on him, that he had no commu-
nication to make.
Governor Walker sent in his message in re-
gard to the Fifteenth amendment. He says:
1.-THE people of this Commonwealth at the late
election, by an overwhelming majority, ac-
cepted and adopted the principle sought to be
Incorporated in the Federal Constitution
by this amendment, viz: the civil and
political equality Of all men before the
law. The well known honor and integrity ofthe
people of Virginia forbid even the suppositlon
that they would fall to faithfully adhere to
and maintain, while necessary and possible,
any principle by which they had yielded their
adherence. Virginia always fulfls. in the most
ample good faith, all her pledges; but our peo-
ple. by this action, have not only placed the
political rights of all our citizens upon firm
and enduring basis, but have accomplished
much more They have increased prospective
ly the power and influence of our State In the
national councils, by broadening the basis OF
representation under the l4th Article OF the
Constitution of the United States. When In any
State the right Of suffrage is abridged except
for crime, the basis Of Representation must be
reduced in corresponding proportion. AL
though we have wisely settled this question, 80
far as our State Is concerned, and banished
forever from the theatre of State politics this
prolific source of irritation and discord, there
is reasonable ground for apprehension that II
tie Fifteenth amendment should fall OF adop-
tIon as. a part OF the Federal Constitution,
ourState may be flooded with and the control
thereof pass into the hands of class
of emigrants from the great States lying upon
or near our borders, who will seek the ENJOY
ment Of those civil and political rights accord
ed to them here, but denied 70 them there.
SelEprotection, therefore, demands that we do
our part towards securing the ratification that
amendment. Our interests require it. Our
faith is pledged to it."
He considers the election of senators clearly
a requisite to admission, and adds: Complete
restoration is accomplished by admission to
representation in Congress, and there can be
no question that admission to representation
NAV. to some extent, depend upon the repre-
senta.iyes elected. While the election Of SEN
ators would fully complete every preparation
necessary for the prompt admission OF the
State to representation in both Houses OF Con-
gress the election of suitable men for these
exalted positions, would Immediately demon
strate the sincerity of our past action ana
afford sure guarantee Of our intentions and
purposes for the future
In conclusion, he says: Permit me TO con-
eratulate you upon the progress already maze