Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-09-10
What shall be Done with Them'


The communication under the caption OF
"A plain statement and suggestions made, y
which appeared simultaneously in the Press
and Lnteligeneer, yesterday morning, has
been the subject Of much comment among
our citizens, and, it may be, the occasion OF
not little uueAsinesS among the seees-
Sionists about town. That good deal Of
Significance should be attached to it by
them is not unnatural, and perhaps not
improper
We do not propose to go at length into
the consideration of the suggestions
made at this time, bat only to give ex-
preston to what we believe is the deliber-
ate conviction of every loyal citizen :
which Is, that there must be change for
the better in the present condition of this
city, 10 respect to its loyalty to the Gov
eminent of the United Statesmen u
change in the aggregate. for none is need
cd, but the change Of fnIction. Here
we are with population of which four
ffths or seven-eights are loyal, and the re-
naming fraction alien in sentiment, to Hse
the mildest term that can be employed
This miserable minority hold that their in
terests are all adverse to ours, and are so
tenacious of their tenets as to be not only
willing, bnt anxious, that all our people
and their property should be destroyed, in
order that they may place themselves un-
der the domination Of those with whom
they profess to believe their interests are
identilied-those in rebellion against the
Government Thus far n remarkable de-
gree OF forbearancc has been shown this
class Of people amongst US, in spite of
their threats and insOlence.
This condition of things is unnatural,
and therefore unsafe, for besides the in
jury that might be done by this class Of
men, however small, in our midst, it is
constant prOvocation to lawless and riotOus
acts, which, next to treason itself, it should
be the firm resolve of every good citizen
to frown down.
There can be no safety for the city, nor
no firm basis for good order, until this
reasonable element is put under, at
least rendered pOwerless. To expect
n real change is too much; for men
who have been traitors up to this stage of
the rebellion cannot change until tue issue
itself changes. a people or community
always has the right Of Seif-preservation.
Our selt-prrservntion demands the render
ing harmless Of this dangerous alien elc-
ment amongst us. Minorities, even miser-
able ones, have rights it is true, and we
never shall propose to deprive minority
Of its rights. They have just the same in
alienable right that a majority hNve-the
right to the protection of the laws. This
right this minority have enjoyed, still en-
Joy TO its full extent, and will continue to
II they are willing to support the laws
whose protection they receive. But it has
no right to raise hand to strike down the
very laws that thus protect it aud us also
and to prevent this the great law Of self
preservation confers upon the majority a
right to employ force or whatever may be
necessary.
1t strikes us that the proper way to deal
with the rebellion amongst US is to dis
arm it aud render it rs harmless MS posi-
BILE. Then require it to do what a COM
muuity of interestreqnireSO of every one who
enjoys the laws protection, to contribute
its share towards tic maiutainance of good
order and tho support of the government
that protects them. Mems thoughts must
be free, but not their acts. If these
men ARE traitors Mt heart they must re-
main so. The law does not inquire
what man thinks or wishes. 1t simply
deals with his acts. Then il disloyalty
shows itself in acts OftreasOu, let there b,
no parley with duty, but punish it as il
shall merit.
TIE Pittsburgh Di.pateh says, and W,
endorse every word Of it, that "if there b.