The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-23
THE NEW EZRA, NOVEMBI %. 1865

take effect until after the proclamation
of the Pres dent, and not until some
modification was made of the eonstitu
tional provision touching the subject of
slavery. That modification was made.
On the Goth of April, 1868, President
Lincoln issued his proclamation, icclar-
ing, in conformity with the law Of c. n
gress, the act of admission, s.to take eff
feet from and after sixty days from the
date hereof" So that West Virginia
became a member OF the Federal Union
on the Goth of June, 1868.
Since that time, the boundaries Of the
State have been further enlarged by the
annexation of Berkeley and Jefferson
| Berkeley on the 9th of August, 1863, and
Jefferson on the cd OF November, 1868
the State now embracing fifty counties,
and including a total area Of about -, 600
square miles. The consent of Congress
has never yet been obtained to the an
neXation of these two last named coun-
ties to West Virginia, and doubts are,
in consequence of this omission, enter
tanned by many persons OF the regular
ity and legality of the act. 1t would be
we'll to have all doubts upon SO inlpor-
tant a subject removed by either Con-
gressional or Judicial action.
BY an act passed on the tth of Febru-
airy, 1868, the consent Of the General
Assembly Of Virginia was given to the
annexation of the counties of Clarke,
Frederick, Warren, Page, Shenandoah,
and Rockingham, &C., to West Virginia,
but no step has yet been taken by Gov.
Pierpont to take the sense of the voters,
or to carry the law into effect. The ad-
dition of these six counties would give
symmetry to the form of the new State,
and add largely to its resources and in
f1uence.
The constitution of West Virginia is
modelled after those adopted by the
States generally, within the last twenty
| five years, and is uneXceptionable in all
its provisions. It embraces all the usual
guarantees against hasty and violent le-
gislation, and the rights of persons and
property are carefully guarded. The
laws passed in 1868 are marked by wis
dom, moderation and sagacity, and re-
spect for the limita ions prescribed by
the constitution. The same cannot be
said of the legislation of 1868. Under
the influence of the rash and violent
counsels which then prevailed, laws in
utter disregard of the plain provisions
of the constitution have been passed,
depriving many citizens of the right of
voting, and of the right of seeking re-
dress in the courts of the State. 1t is to
be hoped that this system Of harsh and
unconstitutional test oaths will now be
abolished, and that all men will be
placed upon an equality, in the enjoy
ment Of their fundamental civil and po-
litical rights.
The constitution having adopted, en-
n1asse, all the laws of the State of Nir-
ginia. which were in force when the con-
stitutiop went into operation, it is a
question Of some interest and import
ance to determine when that instrument
did 90 into operation. The constitution,
rs before stated, had been adopted on
the Sd of May, 1862, the assent of the
Legislature of Virginia given to the for
nation of the new State On the 18th of
May, 1862, and the consent of Congress
given on the 3lst of December, 1862, it
seems there can be little doubt that the
constitution may be regarded as having
gone into operation on the last mention
ed day, as every legal requirement to
the formation Of q separate and indepen-
tlant State had then been complied with.
II is true, West Virginia was not admit
ted as Il member OF the Federal Union
until June, 1898, but that fact in 30 wise
affects the question as to the time when
the State constitution went into opera
ton.
BY this constitution, all ci{j.eas of TIE
GnIed .s}otss residing within It's limits
are declared citizens OF this States. I,y-
cry citizen is declared entitled to equal
representation in the government, and
he plpi}jy4 franchise. ,riIapar+caI Ia all