The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-12-16
WEST SATURDAY MORNING. DFCENBER 6

4 rellaDLea allBnG ana information within
their reach. 2If they avail themselves
of such light and information, and de-
eide honestly, though it turns out AFTER
wards they decided wrong, the EGtD does
protect hem from all penalty and civil
damages, unless q nominal one of one
cent for the purpose merely of vindi-
eating and unfolding the law. An act
OF the Legislature made in cOntrRyen-
4 tton of the Constitution is, of course, o
4 nullity from the beginning and can af-
4 ford no protection for acts done under
4 1t, except to the extent before stated
and If money has been received or 9th
er thtng Of value it would have to be
restored as decided in the case of Osborn
VS.. the Bank of the U. S. 8, Wheaton,
cited by Mr.. IIamb; in. his pamphlet.
All that our supervisors and inspectors
are by law required to do, is to JoLLOw,
\ ~ Endking their decision, their oI61l hon
est co1ttfctioilS, after hdViHg dUGiEed
| Themselves Of the best light and i1lJoT7yla-
tto1t lgfthin their reach. IF they fniL to
do this they fail in their duty aud are
liable In civil damages and to be pro-
ceeded against criminally.
Now what islthe best, light and in fO71nd-l
tIolt Tor our Supervisors and Inspectors
to take in deciding whether the test
oath is constitutional or not? Is it not.
until tqdicialIy settled in a manner be-
fore stated, The decision Of our LegIsEG-
ttTe last 20 vf'Iter, Which passed IL 6y a ma
.JoTlty olJ0ltr or JtVe! to one, IN both bran
cIieS, after a discussion of about tlUO tVeeks
6y those acknowledged TO possess the best
legal minds in the State, and al these, e.r-
eept lir: Lamb, tge think, Uoted .Jor5 tie
tdlQ. They lCere all under oath to SltD-
port aud atl1lsoEd Lac Constitution, and if
any advocated or,voted for 1t, believing
It was unconstitutional, they perjured
themselves. Could any of our Super
ylsors and Inspectors at the last cleo
tion ignore the light of that decision
ana follow the advice of one or more
individuals, and these perhaps Interest
ed PartiSu,tS, without grossly violating
their duty? We think not, and If we
are right, then the Supervisors and In
spectors ought to have observed the law
even If there had existed grounds to
doubt how the Court of Appeals would
have, in the last resort, decided; but no
such grounds existed. Such we regard
to have been the clear duty of our
Supervisors and Inspectors who are
also our servants. as
We have full faith in The wisdom and
patriotism of our forthcoming Legis-
iature, and we shall expect thcm to do
their duty aud their IDhoLe OlGtIy,y and
they VIII have our undivided support;
MS Will nll other public servants so long
as they act faithfully and honestly
We have no fears that our forthcoming
Legislature or any one that shall be
neEethteF e1ecteoS--W VIII De capable of
the monstrositieS Mr.. Lamb supposes.
They would have to be chnnGed to
rmnntRcS. or hends before j. would he
possible for Slr. Lambs suppositi0ns to
be realized. . i
There is a secret history connected
with the formation and erection of the
new State which will throw much light
upon the sincelit: and consistency of
persons who are making so much ado
about the pretended violation of tho
constitution, and will call to mind the
fable of the farmer and judge, whose
bull had, illredLity, gored the farmers
OK, which at once altered the case. So
their personal interests are apt to make
an act of the Legislature constitutional
or otherwise. go. .--.,-.- : =
We had dthought the present law mod
1tted Tin one particular to meet subse-
quent changes, viz: So as to give in err
press terms, to any person desiring, the
privilege of proving to the satisfaction
OF the Supervisors and inspectors that
his right to vote has been restored by
having taken the amnesty oath and re-
sided in, the State the requisite time)
and applied with just discrimination.
would be sufficient without the pro-
posed constitutional amendment. Tile
recent conduct and course of the oppO-
sthon, however, have rendered this
question more doubtful. Those who
have been open rebels and been to the
front, and who VIC believe to be far the
most trustworthy, may well exclaim,
"peliyer us from our Copperheadf friends
who are, to our manifest inquiry, clam
oring for our votes, not so much for our
sakes as to helpthemselveS into office, 81
AS those that have been open rebels
who have so egregiously erred, but fnr
more disastrously to themselves than
us, are destined to remain among us.
and their children and ours to grow up
Nntr
is what should govern, would seem ID,
dictate that they should, as soon MS
htted, be made one of as, iIt hedrt. .as.
they certainly arc to be, in interest and
the glorious future that awaits our
state and country. This can only be
done by admitting the masses, the rank
and .tile at least, who in most cases
erred unwitdnglyy to equal rights and
privileges as soon and as fast rs tho
pubic safety viii allow. It was this
universal Interest and participation in
the government, by civilian and SOL
dler, that nus given to tits unexampled
strength during the recent war, and
crowned it with victory. Each felt, if
he did not express sit is HIy Govern-'
ment that j am fighting for and work.
ing to save" This sentiment of 1lets,t-
$oIdt interest has proved to be an ele--
nenS mel OF strength that has astonished
all ,Europe-where the "nerye and
sinew" are not permitted to participate
in the Government-not admitted TO be
members OF, the governing partnership
Sound policy requires that we EXTEND
the membership of our. firm SO as to
take all in rs fast as they become uuali-
hed, and such as are wise will not ex-
Fpect or ask 1t to-be done faster. 1t re-
qutres time for such.a terrific conflict
of human passions as we have had to
subside and harmonipusly blend again.
He who corrects his ways and sincerely
confesses his error las gone far to en-
title himself to forgiveness by honora-
Bile. and christian people at least. 80
q haye thus. stated'our views and
what we have right to expect and de-
mand of our public servants, whatever
place they may fill. I That tse5 Jatthttsttl
dtSchdTge the duties of their respectiSe
office; and that whoever'is thinIing of
doing otherwise had better be packing
up to leave. -,,..-.
Loyal People OF w. VA.
-iSAMDURG PoRT WISE.-we have been.
shown specimens of the sacramental or