The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1870-02-03
RECONSTRUCTION.

RECONSEkUCT4UNS y.
lie now nearly Eve years since the
rebel army under Lee surrendered at
Appomaucxi and during this long peri.
nd mot an srm has been lifled up 10 0
febsllious spirit against the Government
in any OF the late insurgent STATES. We
know tbetc have been some riots snd
unumber Of murders; end there were
helh.bufn;ng 10 the bOsoths Of some in.
turgenis who did mol take 4iodly to the
luni!iation towbich they Of necessity
were subjected 10 Dftcr their terrible over
sbrOw. But, every student Of history and
of human nslurc must admit. that there
,hsvsibesn fewer oflhese unlOwsrd man,
Nssts,ious than might under tho cireum.
stances. LavO been expected.
Thus far Congress has ruled the teb-
Il States With q strong hand. We be-
9isye. tbat to great extent, their rule
was loo severe-it wOs revepgeful. At
least it bore that mark. This rigidness
m'y have been necessary, aud We know
that some Of our 5Iest men have SO clsi-
saod; but we tbidk the greatbody Of far
sighted men throughout The coSa.ry be.
lievs that the time has'arriyed when the
mailed arm of military power should be
= Ntithdrtwn IRON the South, ond her pso-
.gIs begin TO be trusted as well as gov.
tsasJ.
Seven States hsvO been reconstructed
onder The requirements Of the laws Of
Congress, Tree are yet to be admit.
ted or reconstructed. Virginia, WA
Esw days since. by an set Of uOngrss',
admitied TO full representation. There
vas aa attempt on the part Of some Of
the more extreme members Of that body
70 keep her out while longer BY ex.
cling OF her additional pledges. This
700, after she had fully complied with
all the requirement. imposed upon her
10y The reconstruction acts, aud the proc,
Aamstiou Of President Grant. But
thauks TO the wisdom Of our Legislators,
the bill which was intended 10 rstStd
Der admission into the Unioo, was vo'
ssd down. And we are proud 10 have
tito say. that our worthy, able aud eff.
cienl Representative in Congress. Gen
JcnN s. wil4oHES, voIed ngy on thit
EtBuuer Bill" 10 csstipg bis vote
against this bill which was intended lc
g;eepYirginia GU! Of tie Union for some
Iims TO come, he carried out tho true
sentiment Of the people he represents. =
Virginia is now IalIy OdmittUJ. She
<has done everything asked Of her
We are willing 10 trust her. We do no
believe she will "iake a step backward.
Fhres more States, viz Georgia
Mississippi and Texas, are YET to be ad
mttted, TO complete reconstruction. W.
suppose they will be admitted during
this month. We hope so at least, AMI
that too, without Traditional pledges
Thes'had their elections, aud rattle,
tbsit respective State Constitutions. :
They have complied With lbe existing
reconstruction laws. We urge the Re
'publioaus in Congress to 10. the GU!
standing States into the UuiOn at once
The Republican party cannot afford 4
DO yindictive. but il can afford to b
maguauimous. We want to see thi
mater Of reconstruction completely set
Eed,.ond forever. To be generous iSt
do right. Republicans should soorn to d
wrong. And i. is certainly wrong 10 ex
set any additional pledges Of those State
later they have complied with the recon
vslruclion laws. it iO usclessI9 dslAyiu
tbe'compIsIion of the wo:k.
SThs roN;IoI 0uea,ion and overhaulin