The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-10-19

These two perfectly loyal men took
their seats in the Assembly on the 18th
day Of January, 1865, and on the Goth
day of January, 1860, Mr.. Chapline
moved that the Committee on the Jul
dietary be instructed to inquire into the
propricty of reportin@a bill of impeaeh-
ment against John W. Kennedy, Judge
of the 10th Judicial Circuit for disloyalty,
incompetcncy, and also for his being
nonresident of the 10th Judicial Circuit.
This committee was composed of some
Of the ablest men in the State, Lamb,
Ferguson, NanWinkle, and McGrew,
these gentlemen, to their honor be it
said, refused to bring in this bill, and on
The 10Th, the day following, Mr.. Chap
line, WhoWas the tool of George koonce,
moved a joint resolution for my removal
from office. From the day that | opposed
their secretconvention, down tothe pres
ent time, these two perfectly loydlnaen 81
have pursued me with vindictiveness
and savagery as changelcss and untiring
as ever characterized the bloodhounds OF
Florida. They went about the streets of
Shepherdstown and Harper's Ferry Fri-
vately assailing my loyalty there manu-
featuring public opinion against me to
Use as evidence i'll the coming contest for
my removal. One ofthem Mr.. Chapline,
| am tod, and believe, went to Martins
burg, in Berkeley county, and did the
Il ;s}< u: I l.,
nothing of their intentions during all
this time, until | was served with the
charge against me in Baltimore where l
was at that time a refugee.
Those charges were as follows
lst. Disloyalty.
I'd. Riding through the streets Of Har-
per's Ferry, in May, 1861, and exclaim-
ing: Huzzah, old Abe Lincoln has run
away from Washington City,
3D.. Appointing rebel named Daniel
Sheets, Sheriff of Jefferson county,
18th. Appointing a rebel, named Thos.
p. Hollis, Sheriff of Berkeley county.
9Th. Saying that the restored govern
ment Of Virginia was an usurpation, and
West Virginia a bogus concern.
9Th. Non-residence in my Circuit
Thus the charges remained until
the night OF the 9th of February,
1860, after all the evidence was
heard, the argument in my defence was
made. Mr.. Chapline then moved a set
of charges different from those upon
which | had been tried, with Il reso-
luton for my removal. These charges
did not embrace the charge of disloyalty,
and the second charge; they could notbe
maintained and We're withdrawn, the
third and fourth charges We're amended
by the insertion of the words, "and the
said John w. Kennedy, then knowing
him to be SUCH" 1t was manifest that
! was not guilty of any offence in APP
pointing a rebel to office, that did not
know at the time that he was a rebel.
Before the vote was taken, Mr.. Chap
line feeling, doubtless, that the proof
would not sustain the amended charges,
and that could not be convicted upon
them in that shape moved to strike out
the words he had just moment before
inserted. A vote was then taken upon
the charges separately, upon the first
and second charges no vote was taken,
the proof being SO conclusive that even
my enemies had to allow them to be
passed by in silence.
Mr.. Kennedy then read the following
affidavit Of Col. -. II. Strother:
hereby certify that have known j.
W. Kennedy for many years, and that
since the commencement of the Seces-
sion movement in the South have been
on such terms with him, and in such 4
position in the public service, and would
enable me to speak knowingly in regard
to his sentiments and actions, and the
great question before the country. From
thu beginning l have known Mr.. Ken
nedy to be a true and uncompromising
friend Of the National cause. He OPP
posed Secession in public and private,
and on all occasions, by his vote, when
the county Of jefferson was filled with