The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1864-12-14

WEcopy the following, which concerns
all Union meu here, from the talrnont
National:
"MR. EDITOR I wish to give an idea
Of some Of the doipgs in the Kanawbn
Wiley, in regard to the treatment, by
the civil and military, OF oeilawed rebels.
The men wish to speak Of are Mr.. l..
n. Smith, who is the son Of Is. II. Smith.
| I. n. Smith held commission in the
rebel service. The other is Dr.. i. +.
Hale, who was captain Of an artillery
com pany in Gen. Wisc's Legion. These
men Gudiug they could make more
money by returning to kanawha and
buying up Southern States bank paper
aud Confederate funds, threw up their
commissions and came sneakiag back
through the influence Of the u. S. Dis
trics Attorney, and in connection with
q few others commenced their hcllish
work Of doubly faced robbery of. both
North and South. They have bought
up this paper at eighty per cent. discount
then forced the old and in6rm president
Of the Bank of Virginia, at Charleston,
to give up those bonds which he had 10
his possession which were on rebel
landholders, and advertised their farms
for sale. These men arc holding high
positions in the midst Of Union men,
and refuse to take the oath to the New
State Government, and neither the civil
or military can compel them to take it,
How long shall such men as these, who
are as deep dyed traitors now as they
were when they held their commissions
under Jeff. Davis, and ready to carry on
the work Of desolation and damnablc
treason in trying to tramplc under foot
the glorious stars and stripcs-the
emblem of our MISUNDERSTANDING
and tearing asundcr the Uuion Of these
| States, formed and joined together BY
the wisest and best men known to the
civilized world, be allowed to 90 at
large? How long, OH how long
will the people Of West Virginia
suffer these brazen faced traitors to work
out their hcllish purposes, sustained by
copperheads, upheld by traitors, aud
working under the mantle OF religion
to prey upon the vitals Of on: country
despised BY Uuion men who kno" them
and doubly damned By southern traitors
whom they arc robbiug? If there is nc
other power that can reach them, where
is the Governor Of West Virginia
Would not trip to Wheeling, with
small escort dressed in Uncle Sam:
uniform, with bayonets, act as genera
purgative, and work out an oath thal
mig ht be soothing to these mems con
sciences, and rid us Of nuisance that
We have unwilliugly borne for two year;
without remedy? If lawless traitors arc
to be turned loose to roam at large, w
have no civil or military power, unc
deserve no country"
We believe the above to be the .trcts
IF not, our columns are open to any ont
who will give them. We want the PEG
pie of Kanawha to know what is being
done and what is going on.
Now, no one who owes allegiance tc
the so.callcd Southern Confederacy has
any rights within our lines, except he be
prisoner of war. These men still hold
to the secession cause-tbey refuse &c
take the Oath Of Allegiance to the
United States Government. They dc
not even acknowledge themselves as cit
liens of the State of West Virginia
Therefore they have no rights here
Why are they allowed to remain
What influence is brought to bear upon
the authorities? Can any good Union
man give any ercusc why they should be
allowed the privileges, &C., of citizens
while they declare themselves public
enemies to the government