Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-11-07

speech or enator slack, OfKRnRyVhR,
ON the BIll 60 prevent Persons who
Have Voluntarily borne Arms
against the United States, from
Holding Once In the State OF West
Virginia.
Mr.. PRESIDENT -....-...-...- Hi.a i.tf
While l cannot for moment doubt the
purity ofiatention as well as the loyalty Of
gentlemen who differ in opinion with me
on this subject, yet confess that | am
not little surprised at the arguments pre-
Sented. There seems to be a tenderness
towards rebels, manifested in these argu-
meuts that is truly Sunaccountable.
What do they ask2 Not that the mis-
guided ardent youth of our country, inflat-
ed with those amta6Ls instincts Of GState pride,
las represented by the gentlemen from
MOnongalia) who have raised arms against
their country, should be spared the pun
ishment due to their crimes, but that they
should be permitted to hold the offices of
the state, while yet the rebellion is going
ou-while we are in the death struggle as
1t were for national existence. You would
say to the rebel who may be getting tired
of the hardships of war, "come back, you
were a pretty good fellow before the
war, aud our county is at least one half a
little sympathetically inclined towards the
rebellion JUST take the oath to support
the Constitution of the UDied States and of
this State, and you can get an office that
will be much more pleasant aud lucrative
than fighting in an uncertain cause" 1t is
fact, however unwilling we may be to
acknowledge it, that in many places the
men best qualified to ELL the Offices, q
mean so far as requirements and expert
ence are concerned J. have gone with the
rebellion, they are generally the men of the
best opportunities and used to holding
places Of profit and trust. just let such
men know that amid the waning fortunes
of their infamous schemes, that,they are to
be restored at once to their eligibility to
office by merely taking the oaths TO sup
port, &C., mere sentimental UnthS that no
human sagacity can understand or de-
termine whetherin good faith or bad faith,
and how soon would we find such men
honeyinR to the voters of our counties for
their suffrages. Why, Mr.. President, it
was for the Offices of the country and the
prestige thereto attached that the rebellion
was inaugurated. When they sawsthe Off
ces which they had soloug controlled slip
ping from their grasp they attempted to
destroy the government. Ihave no faith
in their oaths. Why should Ilhave q We're
they not under oaths. of the most solemn
sanction to supportthe Constitution of the
United States Il mean the leaders) while
they were for months plotting its distruc-
ton, at the same time filling their pockets
from her Golfers in the way of lage salaries,
until their Infamous schemes were put In
execution Why, sir, these very men
hundreds of them) with the ettrontery OF
demons, would if this bill fail to pass, be-
tore two years be seeking the best offices in
our gift. l regretted the expression ofmy
r.. hal
should fail to pass he would leave his place
in the Senate his explanation was that in
that event he would be convinced that he
had SO far mistaken the purposes of this
legislature that his presence among them
could no longer be desirable or agreeable.
| confess, Mr.. President, (although shall
not 90 so far) that 10 the happening of that
event, my confidence in the utility of this
body as an auxiliary in putting down the
rebellion would be greatly impaired! u
confidently hope and d,beiieye such hnievent
will not happen. intend If it should be
the last act of my life to vote for the bill as
it is. l do not Intend oar asimy action
is concerned to establish point at the
goth of June or the sSd7of FebrnaEy or any
other day beyond which the iufamy Of
treason shallnot reach. Treason is treason,
and none the less so because It may have
been committed six, twelve or eighteen
monts ago. Much has been said this
discussion about ''mercy, forgiveness, Co.,
/ claim as much of those principles IN my
composition as most of men, but hold
tEat that heaveuborn principle would De
amply and abuudautly exercised by per-
mitting the guilty one (call his crime hy
what name you willy to return, make con-
| tession of his guilt, give surety for future
good conduct,aud remain a private citizen'
The prodiRal son in the Bible, though
guilty of crimes Thousand times less ne
nions, only aspiFed to the position OF
l"hired servant ButiI ask, Mr.. President
can you we'll imagine anything m9en more ore
cruel than TO give fhe ofhees whiehiare the
liegitimate and constitutional right Of the
/ loVal citi1er, who has from principle sup
4 ported aud defended the Constitution OF
the United States, perhaps not only IN
/ sentiment, but with his blood and treasure,
/ to a man who has voluntarily borne arms
for the purpose of breaking it down.
hone. Mr.. President my sentiments Of
mercy aud forgiveness will never lead me
90 far. Think it is very small Pnnish-
ment for an infamous. crime 70 be merely
depriyed of holding office. Many worthy
men have been SO deprived for long life
time for no crime at all. / only wonder q
snch a disposition among Senators TO maxi
the prohibition only temporary. think
should attach for life. The maiden VIII
bas been known to depart fromithe path
lof chastity aud yirtueS WhatsysFWay b.
, mead on account of the arder ofyolths III
lfrailties OF faIlsn human nature whatevs
imay have been the Influences brought :
bear TO lead her astTBy, is doomed BY th
common consent Of mankind, Uhethe
right or wrong, 70 q, degree Of intapy sa
disgrace which il is seldom her foEtpns
| ontiiye. and is seldom admitted afteFHard
. 70 what Is termed "best society" Yet