The mountain Democrat., 1863-05-16
Ahallfian TYrannY.

forces, ~ tne point OF the oAyO"e~ OO
enee to its arbitrary acts, and employs
legion Of mercenaTy editors to justify all
il does It sneers at COnstit.ti tons, wipes
out State laws and rObs the people OF Their
liberties. The last Congress, 10 paiPaoIe
violation Of the letter Of the Constitution,
divided the State Of Virginia, and erected
the western half into q new State, called
"West Virginia" Representatives IRON
II were admitted into both houses OF Con-
gress and legislated ~i,NNsk the eS~@S~
Of authority. The people Of that section
attached to the institutions Of their State,
met in Convention At Wheeling And
framed Constitution, in which the ulti'
mate extinction of slavery was provided
for. This was distasteful to the Presi-
dent and the msjori,y in Congress, and
they SO altered the Constitution as to
provide for immediate abolition, in spite
of the remonstrances of the people di'
rect.y interested in the question.
1t is reasonable to infer that the people
preferred their own Constitution. They
ought to have been allowed to frame one
to suit themselves. Prominent and pa
triotic men of the new State, jealous o.!
their rights, denounced the COngreSSional
tinkering. Foremost among them was
Hon. Sherrard Clemens formerly mem
Der of Congress, and one Of the mos; de-
voted Union men in the country. lie
proposed to speak for the Constitution
framed by the representatives Of the peo'
pie Of his own State, and against the
Congressional Interpolation bot the Ad-
minis,ration, through its meutals, stepped
in and denied him that privi!ese--a priv
ilege dear to every American. Support
ers Of the Administration, army thieves
and Abolition traitors, assembled at Par
krrsburg. and adopted the following re>o
luton, Characteristic Of the bigotry Of
AboltioniSm
Resolved, That we do not intend to per-
nit treason in our midst, BY act or speech,
come from what quarter it may; hct We
will resist it With cur lives. at all hazards
and to the last extremity; and when we
saw this we mean what We say and say
shat We mean.
With mingled shame and indignation
the people read the above ard solicited
Mr.. Clemens to speak in behalf Of thrir
own Constitution. He consented ard
proposed to speak a, ParGersburg. but
the Mayor called upon him. and made the
following interesting communication
II am well informed as 10 the state Of
feeling in ParkerSbuvg 81 this :inie. ard |
heli-ve no speaking against the new State
| will be tolerated either to-day or tD-t0nr-
row. have brea informed to-day by =
gentleman in the tuW that the matter i.aS
hevn placed in the hands of the military
authorities, and Jha, You viii M; be per
mitted TO speak at all. have been re
| Que>ted, a. mAvor ot the iowr, 10 issue .
proclamation fnrbIdtirg y'u >peaslnE up
| On the new State question in order 10 pre-
vent a riot; but have dec'i ed 70 DO 50.
B, ing an acquaintance Of ycnrs in years
last, have called upon yo1 II. :r.eac y
way to advise you not 10 speak.
Here's glorious freedom for you! AZ
ter such a significant hint, Of course Nr.
Clemens did rot speak. TIE people,
overawed by the military, did not vote.
and soldiers, not entitled to vote, voted
and carried the new Constitution. The
result was everywhere announced as az
Administration vietory As an evidence
Of change of sentiment on the part o.
the people of Virginia On the question Of
slavery! 1t is not diHicult matter for
military authorities" armed ard encour.
aged by the powers that be. to carry cleo
tions. This has been illustrated in many
States. Are not elections, so conducted
and controlled, the rankest hurbugs:
1