The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1862-05-01
Thr Elociiro Frnnchisd.

Inc wheeling Ially fIes9 eaJ"
1.-THE elective franchise is one Of the
great blessings conferred upona people
bythu power Of a free government. The
result Of the great Revolutionary strug-
gle was the establishment Of such gov
srnment. In forming the present Gov
srnmenl one Of the chief objects to be
attained was ITO secure the blessings Of
liberty 10 ourselves and our posterity."
This was done by the sacred instrument
known as the Constitution. 9hle Con-
stltution makes provision that thsselec-
tive franchise shall DO extended TO nat
uralized citizens on certain conditions,
leaving this privilege, in relernce 10 nat
urnl born citizens, to be regulated by the
several States.
The timOs have now become SO deran.
ged and thrown out of the channel in
which they were wont TO move, that
il seems almost absolutely necessary 10
make change, in some States, as 10 the
mode and manner in which this priv.
lege shall ha exercised by the native
born citizens. We SEQ a larga portion
Of these once happy and united Slatese
in open rebellion TO lhe Government
which was erected in conformity tp The.
reguiremenlS Of that Constitution which
cenientei the States together. Those
in arms thus to overthrow the Govern
mcnt deny their allegiance to ii and de.
clare themselves citizens Of another
Government which assumes the name oil
the Confederate States" As there are
many among US who are not in arms
but who advocate the cause Of the rebel
lion, thereby lacilly admitting that they
do not owe allegiance to the U. S.,
The question arises, are they loyal voters
in accordance with tho letter and spirit
of the Constitutions
This ia an important inquiry. If they
do not consider themselves as owing IN
conditional allegiance to our Goyycrn-
mont, are they not foreigners in tho le'
climate sense of the word And if
they are for cignere, shall they be per-
mitLed 10 exercise tho election franchise
without giving soEo sign of their inten-
tiou to renoInce their assumed allegiance
to the Southern COnfederacy, and re-
ncw, resuRo and even sustain their truO
and loyal allegiance to the United States?
We have important election about to
come of, 1t is absolutely necessary
that We should throw some protecting
egis overlhe ballot box, the palladium
Of republican government. We can
see how these troubles have been precipi-
tated upon us by allowing those to vote
aud which could moi be remedied then,
who had no future interest in tho con-
tinuance of the Government. But now
there is some remedy. They, by their
own acts, and by their own declarations,
place themselves in the position of for
eigncrs. Should they not bo subjected
to the same tests of allegiance as for.
eigners?
Why are foreigners excluded from the
ballot-box until they have secured their
allegiance to the United States? II is
obvious. There is no certainty Of their
devotion to tho institutions Of this coun.
try ill they have proved it by their acts
and dcclayatiOns. So lot US then put
the rebels and their aidcrs and abettors
on the same tests of devotion. No one
can object The loyal hearted man will
object 10 IBIS. He will beproud to take
the oath. These are suggestions.