The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-11-07
TERMS OF DAILY PAPER.
SeantOr Van Wrinkles Leave.
taking Speech.

the speech of U. S. Senator, elect, PETER
GiVAN WINKLE, delivered yesterday in the
House of Delegates, of which he is mem
Der, upon the occasion ofhis asking and OBJ
taining leave of absence for the remainder
Of the term. 1t Is too long for our colu-
INNS, but we cannot refrain from making
few comments upon what strikes US as
rather significant at this time-comipg
from such source. We quote from his re-
mark the following pointed sentences.
81 have no hesitation in saying sir, that
shall give such support to the National
as may be demanded by the
in which the country may
be placed"
Explanatory to this somewhat equivo-
cal language Mr.. VAN WINkLE continues;
IT will certainly, believing it my duty to
our common constituents so to do, bellev-
ing that the termination of this war will be
promosive of the happiness andprosperity OF
every citizen of the State-believing that
this end Is to be effected in but one way
that is by vigorous prosecution OF the
war to q successful termination-l can have
no hesitation in saying that not merely my
own inclination, but strong and rigid SEN
SO of duty will compel me to give to the
Administration in all its war measures, the
best support / can. And when say will
give this support, whatever may be my
views. in reference to the men composing
it-whatever may be my private sentl-
ments or prejudices, in reference to poltl-
cal matters-if give any support at all, 1T
will be q coroisl and active one. Will not
give with one hand and take back with the
other"
1t would have been highly gratifying to
have heard the views OF the retiring MEM
Der upon the question-what are political
and what military matters? The manifest
tendency Of this Administration is to
merge everything by some color of necessity
into a military matter, and we now ask Mr.
VAN WINKLE, if he has drawn line of dis
tinction between the "war measures of tho
Administration" and purely political at
fairs. If Sd why will he not give forth to the
country some s'certain sound upon the sub
iect9 E Emancipation, G oniscation, suspension
Of habeas corpus, Indemnity, Negro enlist
ment, Ignoring of State lines, are all claim
ed as "war measures" and not political, and
now we wish to know whether Senator
VAN WINkLE so regards them, or whether
he considers himself free to view them in
.nother aspect2 Perhaps the following ex-
tract may throw some little light npou this
perplexing subject:
al shall only claim, sir, in reference to
measures that are not yet brought before
the public-and we do not know what they
may be-a right to exercise my best judg
ment whether they are calculated to do
good or otherwise.
This, if we may interpret it by any rea
sonable rule, is decidedly refreshing. What
is past, then, is to be considered as beyond
the limits of our able Senator's chest judg-
rnent." This fixes Mr.. VAN WINKLE's
status in reference to one thing-this en-
ables us to know that upon unborn chill
dren he "claims" the ''right to exercise
his best judgment"-when they do see the
light Of day. The brats of the Admins
tration already born are not fit subjects for
our portly Senator's "best judgment"-they
are the ofsprings Of MARS from the ravi>h
ed Goddess of Liberty, and must not be
Judged of To secure then Mr.. VAN WIN
KLE's favor the Administration has only to
proclaim that this or that measure was be-
gotten by the God of War; since be is
estopped by bis own speech from raising any
further question. This certainly will not
elevate the father of the West Virginia Con
stitution in the estimation of his constitu
ents as man of great nerve and decision of
We say the above words fix his status
We mean simply as words they do this, but
not that his speech as whole does so.-
What he sets up in one sentence he knocks
down in another, aud finally leaves the
impression that he don't intend to take
sides at all, unless it be both, in the ap,
political STRENGTHENING 80
sdroitly provided himself "reck of refuge"
IN the "war measures OF the Administration
where he may indulge in merely political
hinkisg. We sincerely hope though, that
" hen our Senator gees to Washington, and
Tets into a political revery he will not let
the pickpockets of the Federal Capitol
teal his principles. And we can bat also
rope, that, notwithstanding the RIP VAN
WrNKLE sleeps he seems determined to
AXE, the demands of the times laundering
N his ears may awaken him to his high dsty
)f thwarting the schemes Of fanatics.
Charles V. abdicated from conscientious
-,.Ioa Wo,s+ ia |