Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-10-29

50
taking great deal for granted. We have
no time to recolIect peoples hand write.
The; ConhScation BiII Before the
Legislature.
The House of Delegates has now before
them Confscation bill which has passed
the Senate, and which provides for an
absolute forfeiture of "all the estate, real
and personal" of "every person who shall
aid or alb ct the so called Confederate States
of America, or the rebel State government
at Richmond, in any invasion of this State
or any hostile action against the same; or
who shall conspire with others to maintain
within this State, or any part thereof, the
authority of said Confederate States, or of
the rebel State government; or who shall
accept, hold or exercise any Office, COM
mission OF authority under the said Con-
federate States or the rebel State govern
ment."
The nroprietYt of nassinr n hill nf this
character may well be doubted. Popular
opinion ne are aware very decidedly ia
vors such a bill, indeed demands its pas
sage. Nevertheless it is for the Legisla-
ture, free from all outside influences, to
determine their power, as well as their
duty aud proper policy in considering the
operation of this bill should it become a
law Our main objection to its passage
consists in the fact that it comes at once
in competition, if not in collision,
with the United States legislation on the
same subject. We do not propose to ar
que the question of States Rights in cOnnec-
ton with the supposed power of state ts
law of the United States on the SANE
subject Congress is limited in its legis
lation by the Constitution of the Unitet
States, and that same Constitution, and tn
laws made in pursuance thereof, are SUI
preme, "anything in the constitution or Easr
of any state to the contrary notwithstand
ing" Congress on the 10th day of July
1862, passed confiscation law which i
contained in these words.
Sec. 5th Aud be it further enacted
That, to insure the speedy termi nation o
the present rebellion, it shall be the duty
of the President of the United States t.
cause the seizure of all the estate ant
property, money, stocks, credits, aud eff.
fects of persons hereinafter named in this
section, and to apply aud use the same ant
the proceeds thereof for the support OF th,
army of the United States, that is TO say
FTSt.-ofauy person hereafter acting al
an officer of the Army or Navy of tho rebel
in arms against the government of tn,
United States.
Secondty-0f any person hereafter act
ing as President, Vice President, Membe
of Congress, Judge OF any Court, Cabine
officer, Foreign Minister. Commissioners o
consul of the so-called Confederate State
of America
Thirdly. OF any person acting rs Gov
ernor of a State, member OF u Gony cuttol
or Legislature, or Judge of any Court Q
any of the so-called Confederate States o
America.
Foutthty. OF any person who, haviu
held an office of honor, trust or profit, ii
the U. S. shall hereafter hold an office il
the SO called Confederate States of Amer
lea.
Fyt1hly. OF any person hereafter hold
ing any Office or agency under the Gov
ernment OF the SO called Confederat
States of America, under any of the sew
eral States of the said Confedoracy, or thu
laws thereof, whether such Office or agen
cy be national, State or municipal in il
name or character;
Provided, That the persons, thirdly
fourthly and filthy, above described, shall
have accepted their appointment or cleo
ton since the date of the pretended ordi
nance of secession of the State, or shall
have taken an oath of allegiance to, or L
support the constitution of the so.calles
Confederate States
ISIxthEy. OF any person who, ownin,
property in any loyal State or Territory o
the United States, or in the District o
Columbia, shall hereafter assist and Civ,
aid and comfort TO such rebellion, and al
sales, transfers, orconyeyances Of any sucE
property shall be null and void; and II
shall bea sufficient bar 70 any suit brought
oy saea person 1Sr me OF the
lege and prove that he Is one of the persons