Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-01-20

ONO: SIR:-
Among the Nays, on all the votes taken
upon the bill to admit to Congress the re-
organized rebel State of Virginia, find your
name. 1 recognize, in those votes, the ex-
preston Of your fear that Virginia, admitted
in her present form, will newly prove her
presence IN the National Councils more dan
gerous than her absence.
1t has been nine years since her Secretary
of War abandoned the Department he had
robbed and betrayed and her Senators left
the seats wherein they had resolved upon,
and planned in detail, the destruction
of the Union. She comes, once more to re-
occupy their empty places in the Govern
ment.
Does Virginia send again, her Floyds, and
Hunters, and Masons? Has she introduced
a new Trojan horse within The Republics
citadel? recognize in your negative to her
challenge for admission, the voice of an I'M
satisfied sentinel.
Therefore, say TO you, that as ! know
your convictions in the past that as know
your faithfulness TO the guarantees OF the
Republics first and highest law the State
of Tirginia dare do no scrong to The
liberties of hsr people, in the Union or
out of IL! Whether her Senators and Rep
resentatives sit in the National Congress or
vainly knock at the Capital doors, she has
no law nor warrant by which she can, one
lot or title, foreshorten the rights of Ameri-
can citizenship
There is higher law, not only emilia
zoned upon the scrolls of Justice, but writ
ten on our own supremest statute book,
which protects the right Of freeman TO his
share in his free government, from the sud-
den within or deliberate outrage OF any State
organization. 1t stands in the path of Geor-
gla, when her hollow-hearted designs upon
her black legislators are disclosed. 1t stands
in the path of Tennessee, saying TO the re-
assembling of her rebels, in Constitutional
Convention, that there is one right SO vital
! to freedom, that their puny hands, however
desperate or defiant, dare not touch it. And
it will be in the path of Virginia, as well.
There are many harmful things, many mean
things, many cruel things, which as memory
reproduces the days Of her Slavs Code, she
may weave anew into the fabric of her stat
utes But she cannot, If the Constitution
! of the United States is really the Supreme
law of the land, as George Washington and
James Madison solemnly certified in her be-
e half, it should be, take away the ballot from
$ any complexion OF her sons, nor establish
7 distinctions in their equal enjoyment Of citi
0 zeEship. She dare not set up, under Thu
d Constitution, government that is not Re
II publican, for the Congress Of the United
g States, discharging its sworn duty to tn
y laws, and to Liberty, will fulfil 10 her in
!, jured people, the guarantee OF republic
and tear the rotten structure down.
If i know my words are strong. But n
coherent language can outstep the service o
81 Freedom. No denunciatloa can be too bis
: tering upon the man or government whicl
I. would betray Liberty; no law that huma
"a wisdom ever framed can too severely punis
their treason and no arm can be too swii
a, or terrible in the execution of the law.
AZ The warmed adder of Tennessee has az
,e parently brought not enough experience TO
n class Of Republican Congressman. The
70 have given one of the pillars of the govern
lie ment into Vrginia's guardianship, at the dl'
NO tation of motives honorable to philanthrt
I'd pist, but dangerous to the just and pruder
law-maker. The promise made to them ma
is be honestly kept. / hope it will. There
nd not one of us, who witness the re-admissio
10 doubtingly, but would rather bind up Il
ng wounds OF the past than reopen them. "Tl
ly policy of vengeance is fraudulent tern
SO signifying no feeling that exists in our gre
National party. AT the policy which bull
the National Union upon treacherous groun
"a 1t is not vengeance, but justice and CONNIE
- sense, 10 pause. And for the possibilities
&c the future, it is well TO stand with ready arr
~, and steady heart, guarding the utmost limi
ho of citizenship, not to arenge but TO pr
tect!
- For that duty, claim your future, as
~ sometimes have your past, labors.
~ Respectfully,
HOWARD NJ. JENKINS