The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-11-29
SHOULD REBELS VOTE?

SHOULD REBELS VOTE:
| We take the following important ant
able views from the Berkeley Union, ont
Of the most able and loyal papers in the
Stats. The situation in that and sur
rounding counties is SO like our own
that what is said for Berkeley, will apply
quite as we'll in Kanawha, aud adjoiu
ing counties:
Aside from tho coustitutionslity OIL
the Test Oath, there is a higher and
broader question as to the propviety and
expediency Of permitting those who have
been SO lately in for the overthrow Of the
Government, to exercise tho right Of
suffrage, and We propose now to Inquire
not what the constitution is, but what il
ough: to be.
| 1t is not, and cannot be denied, that
the lives aud property of tho Rebel:
have been justly forfeited to the violated
laws Of their country, and that for the
privileges which they now enjoy, they
are indebted to the maguanimi,y of the
Government, and the loyal people Of the
country. Their rights, therefore, are
not violated BY withholding from them
the right Of suffrage. But they claim
that it would conducc to the restoration
Of peace and harmony Of the country,
that there should be still further OK,
crcise of maguanimity, and that they
should be restored to all the rights aud
privileges which they have forfeited by
their rebellion.
The question is, can this be safely
done? 1t is perfectly apparent from
developments here and elsewhere, that
they contemplate organizing themselves
into party, that shall act in concert with
that party in the FREQ States that op-
posed the war for the suppression Of the
| rebellion from its commencement to its
close. In short, it is proposed to organ.
ize the old Democratic party. North and
South, and in tho South, it is to be com
posed Of the same men who organized
the rebellion and carried it on to its final
subiuga,;ou.
/ 1t is the same party that opposed the
election Of Mr.. Lincoln in 1864, and
supported George 3. Mcclellan on Il
platform which declared the var a fail,
urc. Tho sumc party opposed every
measure Of Mr.. Lincoln's administration
for the prosecution Of the war. The
Government and the people Of the Uni.
ted States must carry out the policy Of
that administration, or the country is
forever ruined and disSrlcel.
The Government has been compelled
to contract a debt Of from three to four
thousand million dollars for the purpose
Of carrying ON the war, whicltthese mon
have brought upon the country. and for
which they are'alouc responsible.
Thousands upon thousands Of MANNED
soldiers and other thousands Of widows
and orphans Of those soldiers, who have
been killed or died 10 tho service Of their
country, havo been placed upon the pen.
sion rolls Of tho Government.
The interest on the public debt will
amount to somo S24O,O00,000, and the
pensions will amount to, at least, $50,
900, 600. a sinking fund Of not less
than $50, 000, 900 per anuum should be
provided for tho gradual extinction Of
the public debt. This will make au cz.
traurdiuary expenditure Of $500, 900, 900
per annum over and above tho ordinary
expenses Of the Government. 4 stand
; ing army Of at least 100000 will IN
doub;clly be necessary for some years
to come, which will cost another $780,
| OO0, 900, and still another 500 900 900
will be required to meet the ordinary
expenses Of the Government. Thi, will
make an annual expenditure Of $780,
600, 900, to be raised BY taxation, unless
the people intend to rcpudiate tho public
debt.
| This debt is substantially due TO the
loyal citizens Of the loyal States Of the
Union. y large portion Of it is in tho
hands Of small farmers aud mechanics,
widows and orphans, in small suns OF
from $40 to $500.
The interest paid by the. South goes
North where tho bond. holders live. The
Interest paid by the Copperhcads who
would DOT loan the Government dollar,
goes to~his loyal ucishbors who did lend
it.
| Practically, therefore, while one party
pays Its share Of the taxes for the inter
est on tho public debt, it receives DO
share ofthe interest, while the other par.
ty probably receives as much in interest
as it pays in taxes. And now it is bro.
posed to give to the party that pays, and
receives no benefit from tho debt, and
whose property might have been con6s.
Gated for the payment, the privilege of
saying whether they will pay it or not.
This debt was contracted for tho pur.
pose of "subjugating". the South and
was successfully used for that purpose
Does anybody believe they will tax
themselves to pay it, if they can avoid
lit? .'..-
They arc taxed to pay pensions to the
crippled soldiers, widows aud orphans
Of their enemies. Will they not think
that their own maiued soldiers, widow: