The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-10-23
WHEELING REGISTER.
MONDAY MORNING. OCT. %, 1865.
Fer Telegraphic summary and Latest
Market Reports by Telegraph, see
Fourth Page.
SPEECH BY
HON. SHERRARD CLEMENS.
Remarks by Col. Lockwood-Speech
by Rev Trniner-The Preacher ana
she Politician-A spicy Debnte.

nv Rev. Trniuer-The Preacher and
she PoliticiRn-A spicy Debnte.
number of the citizens of Benwood
Marshall county, and vicinity, assembled
in the warehouse of the Baltimore ana
Ohio railroad at Benwood on Saturday
evening Oct: 2lst., for the purpose OF
hearing an address by Hon. SHERRARD
CLEMENS, OH the political issues of the
day. The meeting was organized by the
election of Mr.. r. w MCCLELLAND, Pres
ideut. and JOHN CRoNIN, Secretary, Mr.
CLEMENS was then introduced by the
chairman and proceeded to deliver a
very able aui entertaining speech ire
quently applauded, and occupying abont
an hour and quarter. The following Is
a meagre outline of his remarks:
He expressed his pleasure ut meeting
with the citizens of Marshall county,
among whom he had come to reside
During the past two years he had been
much absent from home attending to his
interests in the South. Through his 10y
alty 10 the government, his southern
property had all been spared; and not
withstanding it had been in the midst OF
desolation it was preserved nnharped
Coming home few days ago, he mad
hoped to enjoy the pleasures Of domes'
tic life and the endearments OF the home
circle but he had been waited upon by
many of his neighbors and urgently Sc
licited to become candidate 10 repre-
sent Marshall county i'll TIE next holse
of Delegates. 1t was represented to MN
that his services in that body might De
useful to his fellow citizens, and MS own
personal interests were largely ldentlIed
with theirs Under these circumstances
he had, somewhat reluctantly j, consented
to be a candidate, but now that lie was
upon the track he wanted to get rs many
votes as he could.
He had had grave doubts as 10 the
eonstitutionality of the division OF the
State of Virginia and the formation OF
the new State. These doubts he shared
With Thaddeus Stevens, President Lin
coin. and other distinguished men. Mt
Lincoln ONLY concurred in the act OF dl-
vision as a war measure, and to provide
for his friends Il opposed the measure
at the time; Iacquiesce In 1T pow, am
in favor of the new State aud have taken
an OATH 20 support it.
Tbe chief issue before the people OF
west Virginia at this time vas The pro-
nosed amendment to the constitution
r. was proposed to enforce test oath as
a qualification of suffrage. This IS no
new thing. 1t has been repeatedly 'rleo
in England and as often found TO pro
ducs disastrous resnlt9 ana Deen apaii-
doned. Both political and religion? iests
have frequently been imposed. an at
tempt of the same kind was made IN TINS
country several years ago by the Know
Sothing party. He had opposed that
policv then and he opposed it now. Du-
En0 The time of the English revc!ntions
a nav test oath was imposed BY every
saotiou which succeeded in obtaining
power, john Wesley. the great founder
of Methodism, was prescribed ana Sii
his followers were denounced, but the
church only grew the stronger for the
aersscution i encountered. History Is
repeating itself it is phiio.opHy teachlns
Inv example Shall we learn wisdom
from the past, or follow the example OF
fhe Pharisee and with bitterness and
uncharitableness in our hearts teWar"
our fellow men, pass by upon tue oIner
side and proclaim. I am hoiler than
thou9" Shall We, because We ase the
cououerors, impose additional pen
aitiss upon the vanquishedl Even the
english prize fighter, when his opponent
snccumbs and cries enough" will relin-
ouish his gripe and bid pls antagonist
rise Shall We be eXoslled in honor and
magnanimity by the bruisers III the ringi
Should we not rather be guided by that
Divine precept which says to every man
Love thy neighbor asthyself."
Mr.. Clemens then alluded 10 the caee
of Alice Lisle who was tried before the
infamous Judge Jetfries and afterwards
mt to death for giving food and shelter
30 a nonconfDrmist preacher named
Hicks. He read from Nacapleys Histo-
~ of England, vol. ], p. l9l. and COM
mented upon the injustics and wrong IN.
evitably wrought by the whole system OF
test oaths He read from Macauley,
yol. ], p. 81, a picture OF English society
which found it's reflection III the condi-
rion of affairs in this country NJ the pres
eut time. These oaths may have been
necessary in time of war, but they should
not form any part of our policy i'll peace.
I'm the case of Alice Lisle to which refer
ence was had, Hicks should first have
been convicted before Alice Lisle was
tried; so at the present day the leaders
in the late rebellion should be punished
before vengeance is visited upon their
followers. Until Lee, Stephens, Davis
and host of men whom the President
has pardoned and restored to their form.
ar rights are convicted and executed, the
honest and simple-minded men who fol-
lowed them SHOULD not be held ameuable
10 punishment. The adoption OF the test
will lead to perjury, general demoraliza
ton and crime. Besides thls, onr popu
lation is nomadic; 1t goes easily from
Que place to another, and it becomes us
to consider whether the adoption OF such
q measure as that proposed will not re
act to the detriment of our State and the
injury Of our own interests. The south
ern people acknowledge their defeat and
are willing to accept the changed order
of things. Shall we not repOse in them
that generous confidence which is nee
essary to secure harmony and peace, and
build up this nation stronger and more
prosperous than ever before
Mr.. Clemens was handed u paper con
+o;n;no several questions in reference IL