Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-08-30
Nor the IntellIgeneer.l
FACTS FOR THE PEOPLEl

FACTS FOR THE PEOPLE.
Hessrs. Editors.-
Since my last Communication, the people
seem to be waking up to a correct appre-
hension of the yastness of the fearful con-
tiict in which We are engaged in the sup
port of constitutional liberty, and of the
absolute necessity of putting forth efforts
corresponding with the magnitude of the
occasion. To me it has been a matter OF
nstonishmeut that they did not comPre-
head 1t sooner. Whether my article had
any influence on the action of the late
Convention IN regard to the line of policy
necessary TO be pursued towards the aid
ers and Rbettors of the rebellion, l cannot
tell, but they adopted the measures l
pointed out, and which they had voted
down by large majority in previous
Convention. The rebellion in Western
Virginia could not have lasted three
months if 1t had been treated as crime by
the friends of the government in the outset
and prompt and vigorous measures had
been adopted to suppress it at once. All
that We are now suffering, and that we are
yet threatened with, is owing to the mis-
taken policy of the Union men.
1t is most u unreasonable TO blame the Sc
cessionists for plotting and scheming to
overthrow the government after those who
are its protested friends had declared in
the most public and formal manner that
treason was only a mere difference of opin-
ion, and that men had u guaranteed con-
stitutional right to vote for the ordinance
Of secession, which was designed, not on
~ to take Virginia out of the Union, but
to attach it, with all its material and mill
tary Interests, to a government actually at
war with the United States. Treason con-
sists in leyying war against the United
States, or giving aid and comfort
to those at war with the gov
eminent Now it is notorious
fact that the despotism of Jefferson Davis
was at war with the United States, and it
is equally notorious that the Richmond
Convention, with full knowledge of these
facts, did pass an ordinance giving said
Davis full control of all the men and mon
ey in the State of Virginia before the cleo
tion on the Ordinance of Secession was
had. It follows, therefore, as a necessary
consequence, that all who voted for that
ordinance did by their vote say that the
State of Virginia, with all its men and
money, was no longer a member of the
United STATES, but of the rattlesnake con-
federaey of Mr.. Davis; and we are there
fore traitors and rebels according to the
letter and spirit of the law. Taking this
plain common sense view of the subject,
l contended Immediately after the election,
that as all who voluntarily voted for the
ordinance of secession had, as far as their
intention is concerned, land it is the in-
tention alone which gives character to our
acts, voted themselves out of the United
States, and that the peace aud well being
of society demanded that they should be
required to take the oath of allegiance to
support the constitution and laws of the
United States as the supreme law of the
land, or that they should, if they refused
TO do this, be compelled to leave the State,
or be dealt with as traitors. knew that
this was fully warranted by the constitu-
ton and laws of the United States, by the
laws and usages of all civilized nations,
and, above all, by the Divine code which
throws its awful sanctions around the civil
law as laid down by an inspired Apostle,
Romans XIII, Ii. Lest my readers should
not turn to their Bibles and read it, I take
the liberty to quote 1t:
Let every soul be subject to the higher
powers. For there is no power but of
God: the powers that be are ordained of
God. Whosoeye=, therefore, resisteth the
power, resisteth the ordinance of God and
they that resist shall receive to themselves
damuation. For rulers are not a terror to
good works but to the evil. Wilt thou
then not be afraid of the power2 Do that
which is good and thou shalt have praise
of the same: for he is the minister of God
to thee for good. But if thou do that
which is evil, be afraid for he beareth
not the sword in vain; for he is the min
lister of God, a revenger to execute wrath
upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore We
must needs be subject, not only for wrath.
but for conscience sake. For for this
cause pay ye tribute also; for they are
Gods ministers, attending continually upon
this very thing. Render, therefore, to all
their dues tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom fear to whom
fear; honor TO whom honor"
Now here it is asserted by the Apostle
in the clearest manner: First, That civil
government is an ordinance of God. Sec
Ond, That the civil ruler, whether King or
President, is the minister, and consequently
as the administrator of the law the repre-
sentative of the Divine Lawgiver; and,
Third, As the preacher would say, that
they that resist the law resist the ordinance
of God, and shall be punished by the chief
magistrate Eere and by the Almighty here
after, unless the punishment is averted by
timely repentance and reformation. The
revealed will of God is regarded by legis-
lators and Jurists in all Christian countries
as the foundation of all civil Jurisprudence.
The civil law can define what is right or
wrong, but it cannot erect a standard of
morals contrary to the divine code as re-
yealed to us in the Bible. In order that
we may have both the divine and human
law brought together, permit me to quote
in this connection the law of treason pass
ed by Congress. April Both, 1890, and sign
ed by George Washington
SIC. l; That if any person or persons,
owing allegiance to the United States of
America, shall levy war against them, or
shall adhere to their enemies, giving them
aid aud comfort, within the United States
or elsewhere, and shall be thereof con-
yicted, on confession in open court, or on
the testimony of two witnesses to the
same overt act of treason whereof he or
they shall stand indicted, such person or
persons shall be adjudged guilty of treason