Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-01
What should the friends OF a free
state do 1t the coming ELECTION.

What ghouId the friends Of a free
state do at the coming Election
lsditOrs EnteE5geneer.
q The above qnery} proposed by yOurscors
Erespondent OF HaleOek, merits the 6onsi9-
eratiOn not only of the friends of q free
State, but likewise the friends of 2 new
State. seyident that unless something
as done to insure atleast a gradual emRn-
cipatiOu of the slaves, the admission of
West Virginia as State into the Union
will fail to meet the consent of Congress.
Then all our efforts and anxiety about a
new .StateWil prove splendid farce and
We shall still be under the rule Of the rebels
softhe' east, for 10 isse0uclusive that as the
Federal army advances aud opens the way,
they will throug our legislature, and the
iNwmakiug power by an Overriding NUM-
Der will be thrown again into their hands.
We shall be completely in their clutches,
without any possible means If redress. By
an unequal taxation of which they will
have full control we shall be subjected to
rebuild for them, not us, the Railways aud
other public works which they have de-
stroyed 10 their reasonable attempts to
drag Us into ruin. Past experience proves
that they will neither allow an equal rep
resentation in the councils of the State,
nor permit US to depart in peace. The
humbug about the elderly of speech" aud
of the press will be re-instated, and the
putrid slang of ''abolitionist' will be hurl-
ed at every honest patriot and pious chris
tian. 10 word the very men who have
restored the government will be driven
from 1t, or be doomed to every kind of in
suit or outrage from an ignorant populace
urged on BY designing political and religi-
Gus bigots. Then the friends of a free State
should, in the coming election, join the
friends of the new State, and instruct the
Legislature to insert clause in the Con-
stitution providing for the freedom or
emancipation of the slaves, at no great
distance in the future. A clause similar
to the one proposed bp Mr.. Ba,telIe-
though better one might be had-one
that would provide also for the freedom of
the present generation at some future date,
might serve the purpose. Either, think,
would secure the consent of Congress,
which should be tie chief aim of ali
! friends of free State, as we'll Ms the
friends of the new State.
As to the right Of the people TO clothe
their representatives in the Legislature
With authority TO amend their State Con-
stitntion, whether before or after its adop-
ton, needs no comment 1t is the people
first and last that have the sole right TO
make, alter, abridge or extend their Con-
sututlon, and this either in person or by
delegation, and by whatever delegation
they may see fit to invest with such now
er.
In this connection it may not be improp-
er to hint that it be well to append an ad-
ditional Section to the Bill of Rights, to
read as follows:
Neither the Legislative, Executive nor
Judicial power shall confer any peculiar
privilege or advantage upon auy memGer
OF any secret society or organization, nor
shall the membership of such society or
organization be a test OF qualification for
Office, nor of loyalty, but it shall be the
duty of the Legislature to pass such laws
as will prohibit the formation or introduce
uSn OF any secret society or organization
used or designed for political purposes"
Sch measures would not only abolish
the Knights of the Golden Circle, but tend
to prevent the occurrence of those abuses
and perversions of authority that have in
a great degree characterized this sage of
rebellion" and that have been so wofully
INDUCED by some of the Governors of the
StAtes-one in particular, who was sci.
dom, If ever, known to confer any Office of
profit OF trust upon any one who was not a
member of certain order, and that.
too, without requiring any other test OF
loyalty or of qualification for such Office
SO that nearly all, if not the entire Offices
by the appointment of said Governor, are
in the hands of that order It will be
borne in mind, that in some States the
Governor has the sole appointing of all
military officers from Adiutaut General
field officers.
1t is not designed to cast any reflections
upon the order of Free Masonry. IRmin
clined to think it was not originally de-
signed for political purposes, but purely a
social institution, and when confined to its
original meaning is no doubt a good thing !;
but like all other good things, it is misera-
bly, abused by the politicians. Nor do +
attribute an undue motive to the Governor
alluded, for can not think he intended
| the thing to leak ont, and of course mn
harm could be done. But would suggest
the ProPriety Of providing against the oc.
currence OF similar abuses and perversions
of authority in West Virginia. For what
ever tends to install any one class of peo-
people with peculiar privileges or advan-
directly at the foundation of popular gov
erumeut, aud inaugurates a system of oil.
garchy-a system ever destructive to the
ends of civil liberty. =,
therefore insist that the amendments
herein proposed be presented, on the tiay
of the election, for the adoption or reiec.
ton Of the people. This can be done upon
a separate poll prepared for the purpose.
Some person at each precinct will interest
himself in conducting the affair, and thus
secure not only the amendments to me
Constitution, but also the consent of Con-
gress and the State of =
WEsr Virginia.
GuYANporrE. March os,h. 1enn