The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1862-04-24
THE WEEKLY REGISTER.

| we tHoTeIOTei lH6 uolcSasVs hOlo 10
sembled in Convention 10 devise such
measures and take such action as the
safety and welfare of the loyal citizens
OF Virginia may demand, having mature
| ly considered the premises, and viewing
with great concern the deploruble condi-
ton 10 which this once happy Common
wonlth must be reduced unless some
regular adequate remedy is seePdily adop-
ted, and appealing to the Supreme Ru.
Ter OF the Universe for tie rectitu4c of
our intentions, do hereby, in the name
and on behalf of the good people Of Yir
GINA, and soemuly declare, thst the
= reservations Of their dearest rights and
liberties aud their security in person
and property, imPeratively demand the
reorganization of the government of the
Commonwealth, and all acts Of said
Convention and executive, tending to
seperate this Comm th from the
United States. or to levy and carry on
war against them, are without authority
and void; and that the officers Of all who
adhere to the said Convention and Exc
cutive, whether legislative, executive or
Judicial, are vacated"
And lhcreupon, the Convention pro
ceeded to elect a Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, Auditor, Treasurer and Sec.
Rotary Of Tho Commonwealth in lieu of
the defaulers~ -deposed. Writs Of cleo
ton were issued in due time, unler
which the people have selected theaNati.
Gus officers, to fill the vacancies of those
who neglected tnef duties. abandoned
their offices, and LEFT for the Hand of
Dixie"
Thus has the Govern nent Of Virginia
been yindcatsd and restore TO the peo-
plc-not a nav Government but the old
Government, Constitution and laws
with no'other change than the emergency
and necessity Of the case imposed, at it
is. under this old Government, ConAitu
ton and laws ofIVirgina. in the Union.
where We have always been, that this
Court and Grad jury have tu.dEy as.
ssmbled to execute those laws, and
upon the dlelity with which the Grand
Jury shalt discharge its high duties with
out fear or favor, will greatly depend
the peace, harmony aud welfare Of this
community.
The Judge then briefly but clearly
pointed out to the Jury the various laws
and offences which would be the sub.
ect Of their inquiries, and guarded them
against coufounding together the two
srimes, Of treason against the State and
the United States-the former being a
subject Of their investigation, but rot
the latter, which can only be punished
civilly by the courts ofthe United States.
That treason against tee State was tie
levyiug ofwar against the State Of Nir.
GINA or adhereirg to her enemies giving
them aid or comfort. He also explained
to the jury the ordinance of the ConYen-
ton entitled "otiencos against the com
mon wealth" making tahi I'll misomca'
nor for any one to opp ose by violence or
aid, or incite others, to oppose by vic
lerce, the lawful execution OF any ordi
nance Of the Wheeling Convention or
any act Of the Legislature, or order Of
the Governor, OF any other officer Of the
reorganzod State government or for
any one 10 aid, counsel; or inoite others
to attempt the overthrowo Of sa'd govern
ment, or with. that intent intimidate, or
attempt to intimmidate, any officer or
loyal citizen in the discharge Of his du.
ty, and any SO offending are liable to i'm
prisopment in Jail not less than one nor
mora than twelve months, and to dne
of not less than $50, nor more than 81,
900. But any one guilty oftroason may
be tried, convicted and punished as if
this act had not passed.
He also called the attention of the ju.
ry to the Ordinance of the Convention
for the apprehension of suspicious per
sons, which declares "that any assemb.
lage Of two or more persons for any
payPJSa fT3mieat te.tass Government u
the United States, or of this State as re'
organized by this Convention shall be
deemed an,unlawful assembly and the
PERSONS 50 offending shall be proceeded
against and punished as provided in
chap. 1876, of the Code of Virginia,