The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-25
TUESDAY, JANUARY s5, 1870.
YLRGLNLA REDTKTYUS.

Contrary to general expectation, the House
of Representatives yesterday afternoon con-
Cured in the Senate substitute for the bill
restoring Virginia to representation in Con-
press, by vote Of 1876 yeas to 81 nays,
the party lines being strictly drawn, and
every Democratic member arraying himself
against the measure. Mr.. Bingham, of Ohio,
and Mr.. Farnsworth, of Illinois, the cham
pions of unconditional admission, were in
the most compliant mood, each of them de-
nouncing the Senate proposition in round
terms, but each Of them coming squarely up
to the scratch and voting at the dictation of
General Butler. The latter gentleman ap-
peared TO enjoy their discontinue immensely,
and in his cool and deliberate way embraced
the first opportunity presented to
make an onslaught. (which side of the
house is that ?" inquired Butler of Bingham,
when the latter expressed desire to give
some enlightenment to the gentlemen on
''his own side of the House," and forthwith
the triangular fight commenced, and wos fol-
lowed up with bandying of ''vulgarity, !"
assumption, Stool, murderer" and such
choice parliamentary insinuations, either
direct or by implication. The House was
hugely entertained by the tilt, and gave the
combatants full swing and unlimited indul-
gence. When the Nunseemly exhibition of
bitterness and hate was at an end, the mem
bers proceeded to the work they had in hand,
and every Republican vote was recorded in
favor of readmitting Virginia tied hand and
foot while every Democratic vote was re-
corded in opposition.
There can be no doubt that the President
will give his ready, although not cordial,
assent to the bill as it has passed both houses.
He has within few days past expressed him
self as preferring to see the Old Dominion
restored to her place in the Union without
any proscriptive conditions imposed upon
her; but as being so anxious to see her
restored without further vexation and delay,
that he would not withhold his assent from
the Senate substitute, in case it should pass
the House. Some of the conditions under
which Virginia is restored to representation
in Congress, as we have already contended
are as necessary as they are stringent, to pre-
vent all chance of such an exhibition of bad
faith on the part of her people as has been
given by those of Georgia; but the obnoxious
test-oaths to which all the State officers are
required to subscribe are as useless as they are
humiliating, and can only be productive of
hostility between the two races and perjury
on the part of unscrupulous and ambitious
ex-Rebels.
But, even with this cloud hanging over
her, the future prospect of the Old Domin-
ion is infinitely brighter than her past record
She will lose a measure of her fair prestige as
s'the mother of Presidents" but she has also
been purged of the deep and damning dis
grace of being the breeding pen of the slave
oligarchy. Under the new regime, wiser
system of agriculture, Jealous endeavor to
open up her great natural resources,
and an honest fulflment of her pledges
to her own people and to the
country at large, will ensure to Virginia
a career both noble and prosperous, career
that will not put to shame her sons when
they contrast it with her history in the past.
Justice is a nobler heritage than power, and
the breeding and bartering of human chattels
greater shame than temporary weakness.
In due time the liberal sentiment of the
country will have taken such strides as to
demand the unconditional repeal of all the
obnoxious and useless conditions that have
been imposed upon Virginia and her sister
States of the South, and there will remain in
force only the guarantees which are as honor
able to them as they are essential to the safety
of the nation.