Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-12-03

ment Is acknowledged Sucu properly Huu
debts should be conhscated to the State,
subject to the just debts of the offender
And | would also recommend that if any
person has abandoned his home WithiL our
territory TO 20 within the Confederate lines
the Executive should be authorized to is
sue a proclamation requiring him to re-
turn and IL he fails to do so, within the
time specified in the proclamation, that
fact should itself be deemed prima theta ev-
idence that he had been guilty of offences
subjectiug his property to coufscation.
/ recommend the repeal of the Stay Law
passed at your exta session. The neeessi-
ty for it no longer exists. Persons have ia
ken advantage ofIhe Law, though they had
the means OF paying their debts; aud the sus-
pension of power to collect debts seems TO
enconrag the disorders of the times, by
creating an impression that all law was
suspended. The property, however, of
soldiers, while in the service of the United
States, should be protected from execution
or attachment; and persons engaged in
supporting the rebellion, or who, being
inhabitants of the State, shall refuse to
take an oath of fidelity to the same, should
be denied the right to sue in our Courts
The banks in this part of the State have
sustained themselves admirably, consider
la6ored. Though the law authorizing the
suspension of specie payment IS still in
force, they are furnishing exchange and
specie funds for their issues Al moderate
rates, and are gradually approaching the
specie standard for their circulation, Sat-
isfied that they are prudently managed, for
the interests both of the public and OF
their own stockholders,kno additional leg
islation is necessary ut this period respect
ing them.
/ desire however to call your special at
tention to the Branch of the Exchange
Bank of Virginia at Weston. 1t should,
think, be madean independent bank, thus
severing the connection between 1t and the
Parent Bank and other branches. The Pa
rent bank is located at Norfolk. 1t, as
we'll as the other branches east OF the Al
legany mountains, has made large advances
10 the Confederate States and to the seces-
sion State Government at Richmond. They
have exchanged their own issues to a large
amount for the Confederate Treasury notes,
which, as already stated, are now thirty
per cent discount at Richmond, and are iu-
trinsically valueless. The State owns
large amount of the Capital of the Branch
at Weston and the people of Lewis county
tue balance. am informed that the
Branch is itself in very good condition
and there is no reason why the interest of
the State and of the Stockholders in Lewis
county should be sacrificed by continuing
its connection with the institution East of
the mountains.
There has been frequent inquiry made
about the School Fund. That derived
from the literary fund, presume, is gone,
with all the material interests in Eastern
Virginia. From the condition of our OWN
Treasury, do not see that any provision
can be made for educational purposes, un-
Ill the peace of the country is restored.
Situated as we are At present, one OF the
greatest endorsements to the Executive,
is to determine what property belongs to
the military, and what TO the civil, jnrisdic-
ton. A war against a foreign nation
would present the question in different
aspect. In that case, the Jurisdictions are
settled, and the provinces of the civil and
military power defined. But under con-
stitutional government, COntendingn against
a rebellion like the present, the case is diff
fereut. All is at stake-eyen the existence
OF the constitution and government itself
Ordinary maxims must yield to the great
necessity of the case. The civil power of
the State can exist no longer than it is up
held by the strong arm of the Military
Hence, / think, the civil power IN cases
where such vital interests arc nj stake,
ought not TO interfere with arrests made by
proper military authority, and dictated by
great military necessity. If this be not
true, the goyernment-th Constitution it.
self-may be sacrificed to relieve the fan
cied wrongs or hardships of individual
cases. But tue authority thus exercised
must be strictly limited by the necessity
which justiies it.
All persons not in the army Of the Uni
ted States, or in the military service of the
State government are, at all times, amen
able for their conduct to the civil power of
the State Yet in some sections of the
State, men assume TO redress their own
private grievances, and to engage in raPine
and plunder-perbaPs murder itself-as if
all law were suspended. desire to warn
them that all the powers of the govern
ment will be exterted TO the utmost to sup
press such proceedings and punish the
guilty. Peace and good order must be re-
stored and maintained; for private wrongs.
If such there be, redress must be sought
by the law of the land. Private war must
be suppressed. He who engages in it, be-
comes, like the pirate on the broad sea, an
enemy of mankind. There have been, in
several sections of the State, bands OF
guerrillas and plnnderers collected tOgeth-
er, not acting under any regular military
commission or military order. would
most earnestly warn them to disperse, re-
turn to their homes, give up their arms and
submit themselves to the laws of the land.
The Union men throughout the land desire
peace and obedience to the laws, not yen-
geance.
Fortunate have we been in Western yir-
ginia, in the position we assumed, and in
the measures heretofore adopted to main
tain il. We must recognize in the result
the guidance of wise and bsnefcent
Providence directing our counsels- That
Providence, gentlemen, may still protect
and guide us, SO that all our acts shall
people, is my sincere aud earnest wish.
F. Il PEiRPoIST.