The New York herald., 1870-01-25
The Admlssssn Of virginia-RocOnstruct
Ftxcd--Now for q Universal Amnesty.

IN Congress that the House, after struggling,
though somewhat lively, discussion, receded
from its bill for the unconditional readmission
of Virginia into Congress, and-yeas 1876, nays
57-adopted the amendments OF the Senate
binding the State Legislature to the terms of
the fourteenth amendment and some other con-
ditions. The bill, as it passed the House some
days ago, provided that as the State Of Vir-
ginia had fully complied with the terms Of
reconstruction laid down by Congress she was
entitled to representation therein. On the
test vote this proposition of Mr. Bingham, by
a close fit, was carried, by the democratic bal
ance of power, between the Butler, or radical,
cans-the democrats voting with the latter en-
masse. This point having been gained, good
many radicals, on the question Of the passage
Of the bill, wheeled to the right about, and 80
it passed by an overwhelming majority.
But the orthodox republicans in the Senate
did not like that democratic balance OF power
and Bingham's snap judgment in the absence
Of Butler, and so they restored the bill sub
stantially to the shape in which 1t had been
rejected by the House. In this shape, being
first referred to the Reconstruction Committee,
It was reported back to the House yesterday,
with the recommendation that 1t be adopted.
All this was equivalent to party cancus on
the subject, aud this recommendation thus
became a test Of party fidelity. The mlsior-
tunes Of RAYMOND ard others in the House IN
undertaking an Independent course, and of the
.unlucky seven" in the Senate on Johnson's
impeachment, perhaps, on this application OF
the party whip, were regarded as warnings
against boiling too fearful to be defied; and
80 Bingham and his followers wheeled back
into line. Bingham had hinged his uncondi-
tional bill upon the Presidents suggestion in
his annual message; but he no doubt found
out yesterday that General Grant does not
care to take upon himself the responsibilities of
Congress. His policy is not the policy OF
Johnson. He has no notion of collision with
Congress when he can get all that he wants
without it. He has the inside track for the
succession and is not disposed to quarrel.
But Virginia, though under the conditions
of the Senate bill, is restored to voice in
Congress-. The bill, as we have said, passed
yeas 1856, nays 57--a strictly party division of
the House. Butler and Sumner are thus mas
ters of the field, while Trumbull is still under
the shadow of the ''nnlncky seven," and
Bingham occupies back seat in the councils
of the faithful. Our squabbling politicians,
since the initial twenty thousand dollar procla-
nation of Andy johnson, have led the late
Confederate States" through rough course
of treatment; but now that the case of Vr-
ginia is settled; now with the reconstruction
OF Georgia in the hands Of General Terry,
who is said to be a first rate lawyer; now that
Mississippi has proved her loyalty in the cleo
ton of a republican Of African descent to the
United States Senate now. that General Rey-
nolds has reported the results Of the recon-
ssruction election in Texas as salts
factory, Governor and Legislature; now
that the fifteenth amendment lacks only the
vote Of Georgia or Texas TO be proclaimed
part of the national constitution, may we not
hope that we are near the end of this recon
struction business, and that the day is at hand
when there will be no more intermedding by
military commanders nor by Congress in the
local affairs of Georgia, Virginia or Texas than
in the local concerns of New York, New Jer-
sey or California?
With the proclamation of the fifteenth
amendment, if not before such proclamation,
bill should be passed by Congress removing
all the disabilities on account of the rebellion
imposed by the fourteenth amendment, and in
the manner provided for in this amendment.
Thus the great ultimatum Of reconstruo-
ton, universal suffrage and universal
amnesty" will be an accomplished
fact. With universal suffrage secured
to the negro all parties will cultivate
him, and if not too much elated by his good
fortune, even ''the poor white trash" will cease
to persecute him. With universal amnesty to
all concerned in the late rebellion, the bitter
ness which has SO much prevailed in the South
between the disiranchised native whites on the
one hand and enfranchised blacks and noisy
"carpet-baggers" on the other hand, will speed
lily disappear, and the Southern States, ''like
giants refreshed with new wine," will enter
upon new career of prosperity never dreamed
of by the projectors Of an independent slave
holding confederacy.
We have said universal suffrage, but the
women are still excluded. Woman suffrage,
however, will serve as convenient subject
for agitation by our political reformers until
something else shall turn up. Having disposed
of the almighty nigger," the women of the
United States, regardless Of color, from blondes
to blacks, surely may claim equal rights. But
with the completion OF Southern reconstruc-
tion on the basis Of negro suffrage a universal
amnesty is the next thing in order.
THE CURRENCY QUESTION was the main sub
iect of debate in the United States Senate yes
terday The bill under discussion was one to
provide national currency Of coin and notes
IL. II sst.sl o:.. l..