The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-11

and placed her in hostility to the whole
reconstruction measures. Congress felt
authorized in that case to place Georgia
back where she was before she expelled the
colored members of tho Legislature, and
committed other acts in hostility to the
whole programme of reconstruction as laid
down by Congress. Virginia did not
vote ut the time fixed in these laws. She
had formed her Constitution, but failed to
submit it to the people. No election was
held under it. During last session on act
was passed allowing that Constitution to be
submitted to the people Of Virginia, and
allowing them to vote on it in part. That
was done. An election was held, and the
President Of the United States tells us-and
he had the matter examined by his off,
cers-that Virginia has complied in all re-
spects with the reconstruction acts.
think if she had failed to comply in any
important material, we should have notice
OF the fact. General Candy has examined
the reports that came to him. There were
complaints made to him in regard to some
elections. He examined them and found
that the elections were substantially regu-
lar. The examination, 80 far as complaints
were made to him, has already been made,
and we have General Canby's report to that
effect. That report is before the Recon
struction Committee of the House in manu-
script. I believe it is not in print. I saw
it in manuscript.
He finds that the elections were fair. The
Constitution of Virginia I have before me.
lis certainly Republican. This Constitu-
ton was adopted by an almost unanimous
vote of that people. 1t requires every per-
son who takes an Office to swear that he
will recognize equality of oil men before
the law. Virginia has decided to carry out
this Constitution by an almost unanimous
vote. I see the amendment of the Senator
from Massachusetts has reference to the test
oath. When the question came up of i'd
ministering that oath to the Virginia Legis-
lators before they should organize, it was
submitted to the President, md he referred
it to the Attorney General, and we have the
opinion of the Attorney-Gcneral, who says
that oath need not be administered to mem
bers Of the Legislature. They were very
careful and particular in following oil the
statutes and all the requirements.
The commanding General says the cleo
ton was fair one. I believe that the
people of Virginia have complied as nearly
as possible with every condition of the laws,
and I cannot see what excuse Congress has
for refusing to receive them now. We
have declared that we would admit them.
1t has been suggested that Virginia may
do as Tennessee has done, or as Georgia
has done, and violate faith. Because VIC
fear that they will break faith, is that any
reason we shall set them the example
Shall NC violate the faith of the Govern
ment when We pledged that on performing
these acts which have been performed they
should be received? Let me say to my
friend from Massachusetts that it is ex-
tremely dangerous for US to break faith
with the people now-cxtremely dangerous
to the cause. We have the pledge of the
statc-we have the pledge of the great
body of the people-to enforce equal rights
and protect all men, and am disposed to
take that pledge. There may be some way
of finding remedy if they should break
it, but if We break our faith now that will
be an excuse for them to break theirs. For
one, when I participated in the passage of
the laws l desired that the people of Virgil
MIA and every other State should comply with
them land if the Democrats, if the rebels, do
comply, it is gratifying to me. 1t reInforces
those who desire exact and equal justice it
strengthens the Government; anil if the
Democrats have agreed to protect all men
in their rights-havc ratified the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments-have gone be-
fore the country with this pledge upon their
banner guaranteeing equal rights and ia
voring the fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments-is it right for us to keep them out
Are We to say that we will not receive them
now' Does anybody doubt that they would
be received if they were Republican Sup
pose Republicans had carried the State and
done the same things, does anybody doubt
that they would have been received at once
We have right to see that every State has
o republican form of government, but We
have no right to legislate to make them be-
long to the Republican party as such.
Hero is State that has done
all that we required. They may
deceive US, but if they do it will be worse
for them. But we cannot afford to deceive
them. We cannot afford to promise to let
them in and then deny OF delay their admis-
sion. This bill ought to pass at once.
Mr.. Conkling: Mr.. President, the sena-
tor from Nevada only anticipated the mo-
ton which I intended. Although agree
entirely that the question of Virginia ought
to be acted upon promptly, and although
may say do not see my way clear to re-
fuse restoration to Virginia as some other
senators seem to do, I should be quite re-
luctant to vote or to see acts to prevent o
deliherate md fair consideration of the
question. Certainly it is very grave
question, and certainly we are admo-
nished of its gravity by events which
have occurred in other States; and if
there be any reason concerning even
the convenience of senators leading to
its postponement for time, T would be