They forget that our constant duty is to protect our fellow-citizens in Virginia at all hazards.

Behind all these is the great requirement of Loyalty.

Let Senators who insist upon her present swift admission show this loyalty.

There is no plighted faith of Congress which can supersede this duty.

Disloyalty is like fraud; it vitiates the whole proceeding.

But if we look at the spirit of the Acts, the conclusion becomes still more irresistible.

It is contrary to reason and to common sense to suppose that Congress intended to blind its eyes and tie its hands, so that it could see nothing and do nothing, although the State continued disloyal to the core.

There is Virginia with a Constitution dabbled in blood, with a Legislature smoking with Rebellion, and with a Governor commending himself to Rebels throughout a long canvass by promising to strike at common schools; and here is Congress…

But the loyalty of a State should be like the sun in the heavens, so that all can see it.

Looking at the text of the Reconstruction Acts, the conclusion of reason is confirmed by a positive requirement.

Senators find ambiguity in the terms “under any so-called State or municipal authority”; but I submit, Sir, that this is because they do not sufficiently regard the whole series of Reconstruction Acts and construe these words in their…

But the very object of the Reconstruction Act on which this question arises was to keep Rebels from the State government.

But this object is defeated by any interpretation disallowing the test oath.

The time will come when Rebels will be welcome to the full copartnership of government; but this can be only when all are secure in their rights.

I said that the election in the whole State was carried by a conspiracy reaching from one end of the State to the other, of which the candidate for Governor was the head, to obtain the control of the State, and by this means take the…

The proposition is objectionable, first, because it is mischievous,--and, secondly, because it is difficult, if not impracticable, in its operation; and if I can have the attention of the Senate, unless figures deceive me, and unless facts…

Then, Sir, farewell the equal rights of all! farewell an equal judiciary, which is the Palladium of just government! farewell trial by jury! farewell suffrage for all! farewell that system of public schools which is essential to the…

I have no taste for controversy; much rather would I give the little of strength that now remains for me to the direct advocacy of those great principles to which my life in humble measure has been dedicated, not forgetting any of my other…

I have failed often,--oh, how often!--when I wish I had prevailed.

And now, Sir, as I stand before the Senate, trying by a last effort to prevent the sacrifice of Unionists, white and black, in Virginia, I feel that I am discharging only a simple duty.

This cause I have at heart; this people I long to save; this great State of Virginia I long to secure as a true and loyal State in the National Union.

While embodying the original proposition of substituting bank-notes for greenbacks, it provides for the refunding and consolidation of the national debt in such a way as to make it easy to bear, while it brings the existing currency to a…

In making this attempt I am moved by the desire to do something for the business interests of the country, which suffer inconceivably from the derangement of the currency.

Political Reconstruction is not enough; there must be Financial Reconstruction also.

Happily, there is a universal prevailing sentiment for the national credit, showing itself in a fixed determination that it shall be maintained at all hazards.