The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-01-25
their standing and not fall behind Their

their standing and not fall behind Their
white classmates
We present this vieis advanced by a. dis
tingllished educator, gentleman Of high
christian character, aud exalted worth. We
are not prepared to affirm or deny its cor
rectness, but of one thing we.are certain, we
have NOT, in Virginia, any sufficient data to
guide us in determining the mental capabil-
tiles OF the negro, under systematic training.
We present it, too, because it is german to
the train Of thought elaborated by Gen.
Johnston, and to the careful study and prac-
teal incubation OF which lie so forcibly Iii
rected his audience.
We are inclined to the belief that the SEN
timents uttered by Gen. johnson are in al
vance Of the popular aspiration at this time.
But of che thing we are certain, the South
ern people can never fully discharge their
duty to the colored race, until they adopt and
practically enforce the ideas he declared
We have convictions as deep and settled up
on this subject as we have in the saving mer-
its of the Atonement. We have been class
ed as a Radical in politics, because we
have advanced them. and the sentiments
uttered as ''ncendiary." We are willing
chat time shall test the justice of this judg-
ment. We have no misgvings OF doubts as
to the result. The fact that a distinguished
Southern General, 4 native of the South,
should feel it to be his religious duty to de-
liver Tie lecture that was presented to a
large and Intelligent audience OF Southern
ers, under the auspices. of the Young Mems
Christian Association, composed almost en-
tirely of Southern citizens. is one of the most
cheering evidences that has yet greeted rs
in vindcation of our convictions. It the first
awakening Of public consciousness that we
have seen to the solemn duty we, as citizens,
owe to ourselves; to community and to chris
tianty. in the work of educating and eleva-
the colored people, in encouraging them in
their heretofore almost unai1ed efforts in
dih'using christian morality and truth among
their own people.
work--the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton has discharged merciful duty, and we
trust the fruits will be made manifest in the
interest hereafter taken by this Association
and our citizens generally, IN carrying out
the philanthropic thoughts promulgated on
last Friday night.
The Joint Committees Report.
We publish elsewhere the report of the
joint committee of Congress, on the Prcsi-
dental question in full. We give below a
brief synops is of it for the reading of those
who do not care to wade through the docu-
ment entire. 1t is from the Cincinatti Ga
seete, the leading Republican paper of the
West, which is decidedly against the adopt
ton CT the committees report, regarding it
as a reconstruction of the national constitu-
ton, and revolutionary in its tendency;
The compromise plan for counting the
electoral vote has this process: First. the
President of the Senate is to open all the
certificates-the true and the sham-from
the States in alphabetical order, and the Tel
lers are to count the votes so far as not
o bjected to. Second, when an objection is
made to the cou ntiug of any vote. the two
Houses shall separate and take vote on it.
If they concur, that settles it. If they do
not concur, the whole question of fact and
law is to be referred to IL Commission, to be
constituted as follows:
l. Four associaed Justices of the Supreme
Court, nameiy-Clifford and Strong, chosen
as Democrats, and Miller and Field, chosen
as Republicans-are to choose one other j us
tice, making five Justices, whose preponder-
ance of party color will depend on the choice
which the four shall make of the fifth. 2.
The House of Representatives is to choose
five members, Of whom .llrce shall be DEM
ocrats and two Republicans; and the Senate
like number, of whom three shall be Re-
publicans and two Democrats.
These Populations from each branch OF Con
gress, are, with the aforesaid five Justices,
to constitute the Board of Arbitration, to
| decide all questions. In other words, it is
the grand Returning Board, with power to
60 behind all returns, and to elect either
candidate.
Its decision is not to heed the approval OF
Congress, but is to stand, unless both Houses
concur to reject it.