The national Republican., 1862-07-10
For the Na,ioasl Republican,
WEST vIRGlSls.

WEST VIRGiSls.
Objections 60 Its Adm !ssioa Answered.
Some Of our friends say they have scruples,
whether, acting upon the consent OF the Legis.
lsture Of the mother State, given before all the
counties thereof were 10 fact represented,
would be constitutional. We would remind
such that tue existing laws of Virginia make
majority Of members, duly elected dsd qualified,
a constitutional legislative quorum for doing
bu ines,. That oil the counties were invited 10
elect and return members; and oil duly elected
and qualified, whether coming from The East,
the Valley, or the trans-Alleghsny, have been
admitted TO seats. That there exists no power
to compel the election and return Of members.
That the legislative, executive and judicial
branches Of the recognized government rest
upon the same basis. Tho present Congress
have admitted Senators elected by this Lrgis- 1
lature; have paid SAL 900 Of the surplus rsye
nue. 70 this government. That the Federal
g Jvernment has accepted, now commands and
pays fourteen regiments, enlisted, organized
Ind commissioned by Governor Pierpont, and
has for whole year recognized this reorgan.
ICED government as the legitimate authority
Of Virginia for all purposes. Aud still, II after
doubts the power Of this State Legislature to
give consent 10 the proposed division ~.
quired BY the Federal Constitution, We should
iesl constrained, perhapa, to respect him for
the goodness Of bis heart, but not for bis un.
d, rstandlng.
Others object, that they entertain doubts as
to the propriety Of Congress annsxiDg to lis
consent q condition precedent, which must be
compiled with by the party asking the favor,
before that party can take anything by his
petition.
NJ. -, III, ....,a . alua IA l. ....-. -.
Ter Of discretion with Congress 10 grant or
refuse the petition Of West Virginia. The real
merits Of the case, she makes out, constitute
her only ground Of claim, and should be such,
We admit, as will readily evoke the exercise Of
this discretionary power by Congress, while
looking TO the advantages to be derived, as
we'll 10 the new State as the whole country.
Can 1t be contended for moment that Con-
gress, 10 the exercise Of this high discretionary
power, shall be coDdned to the giving Of an
absolutely affirmative or negative answer
May II not, with the strictest propriety, say 10
the applicants, We grant your petition on this
this or that specified amendment" Aud in the
present case, the amendment proposed Ia what
or people have for long time deslred--aud
wished u have incorporated in the Constitu.
tion at The time IL was iramed-and unauimouly
wish II done now in the manner proposed, IA
saving time, expense, and, very likely the new
State itself. Ii seems to Us that such Objectors
are more nice than wise," aud III fltrd to
grapple with facts and the great realities OF the
day.
Others object that we arc too hasiy -unwl.
Ing ts "bide our time" That we ought to wat
till the rebellion shall be crushed out in every
part of the State, aud peace ard harmony re-,
stored. Restored 10 whom, and In what man.
nerf The same old vassalage, only aegravtcd
i've fold, restored to rs! But. say our friends,
"Oh, We will help you then How help? Has
Congrsss or the Federal Government any power
TO make one vote weigh down t,co ut th., ballot
box! The Federal Government will have no
right to interfere there aud then. West Virginia
will lie crushed beneath accumulated burdens.
and thus she must remain III Providence shall
repeat its benign Interpolation, or brave peo
pie shall cut their way out by the sword against
their oppressors, and the Federal arm which Tie
opprsssors can 10 such case consti utioally 10
woke. .,
The past year Of desolating civil war In on
midst and ut our doors, has taught us TO b,
active and vigilent; and we hope all loyal men
have profted from the last years experience
In this respect Whether, then, the speedy
tranaerence Of $4,000 square miles, bordering
from 200 to 800 miles upon the Ohio rver-th,
great highway Of the nation, both civil IN
military-and reaching back 10 the inpsssibl,
sammit tf the Alleghanies, with 8 to 400 OOt
people. white and black, from slavery to free
dom; and . speedy restoration Of this peopi,
to a settled aud uuwavering LOYALTY: To- :
sense OF security beneath the old lag-to al
army Of determined and resolute soldiers, read,
to guard that river and the rights Of a Govern
ment-that they shall feel has done them il,ss
tce, be worthy. In military, political, OF
moral point Of view, a short time of Corgrts
at Its present session. is for that body and th
people to decide-bcariug in mind mat della,
may defeat US all
LOYAL PEOPLE or WEST VIRGINIA.