Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-10-19

an no opposition to The State Of Vest Kiroin;o
and IN violation Of none cfits ld,cs
The test of the obedience of citizen 10 n.
laws of the State in his conformity to their r.
quiremepts. If he refrain from doing tina,
which the law prohibits and does that whichit
commands he fulfills the perfect measure of his
duty as citizen. In the light of these plain'apd
nuquestioned rules, let us examine what would
have been the full force Of the effect of the eec.
ton on the 18th of October had it taken place,
A Senator and two Delegates to the Legisla.
ture of Virginia would have been elected, and
the vote of the County as a part of the 7th
Congressional District, would have been cast.
The gentlemen chosen as Senator and Delegates
and one of the gentlemen voted for for Con-.
gress would. by the mere act of election have
been invested with no power to disturb or dis
quiet any official-not even constable-per-
forming the functions of his Office under the
government of West Virginia as localized in
jefferson County Indeed after their election
they would have been clothed with no official
character what ever, except as it would have
been impaired to them by the acts Of admission
TO their seats by the Legislative bodies to which
they were chosen The whole import of the
election, then, would have been an appeal, a
petition to the Legislature of Virginia and Con-
gress to admit to the privileges Of membership
certain gentlemen named by us, for the purpose
of representing the merits Jas we understand
theml Of controversy to which we are party,
in which we are deeply interested and which
we desire for mapy considerations to have
speedily and justly terminated. The Legisla-
five bodies referred TO have the absolute right
to Judge the qualifications Of their own men,
bers and they would have had the power either
to have admitted or rejected the persons thus
presenting themselves. Can that right be de-
MED And yet by the exercise of it alone, and
not by our act, could the candidates chosen on
the 18th of October have been indued.with any
official character Our application would have
been in the nature of a petition, the right to
which is not often denied by governments
claiming even the shadow of freedom. If in-
stead of an election memorial signed by the
citizens of jefferson County, had been present
ed to the Legislature of Virginia asking that
these gentleman would be received on the floor
of the General Assembly, would the authorities
of West Virginia have deemed that act viola
ton of their laws and subyersiye of their gov
ernmcnt in Jefferson County? And yet moth
ing more was proposed TO be done by the
movement of the 18th Of October.
Again, the only principle or right with which
there could have been conflict was the prIn-
ciple or right of representation by means Of the
election of delegates 70 Wheeling, which eiec-
ton will take place on the 2Gth of this month
Can it be said with even the least appearances
of truth that the election on the 18th would
have obstructed, in the smallest degree tho
operation Of the law under which that election
will be held? Could the gentleman who would
have been sent to Richmond, by any perform
ancc there. have diminishe or detract from
the power Of those who viii he sent in Ito
same capacity to Wheeling? Would not tho
latter have been as fully the representatives. OF
the people of Jefferson County in the legisla-
ture of West Virginia, as though no election
whatever had occurred ON the 18th? The on
" possible or conceivable case in which there
could have been a collision between the parties,
necessarily, would have been in an election
held at the same time and at which il would have
been proposed to elect dele gltes'to Richmond,
in forciblc opposition to, and exclusion OF, the
privilege or right TO send delegates 10 Wheel
ing. That would have leen a paient, pointed
and direct collision with the authorities and
government Of West Virginia, which Is the
government de .facto of jefferson County. But
instead of opposing, in any manner the clccls
ton ON the 2Cth inst, il was the design, and
still is. of all connected with the proposed
movement Of the 18th Of oct, to take part in
that election, # permitted, and to unite in Sc
lecting the most suitable representatives Of tho
interests of the County in the General Assem-
bly, of West Virginia.
But this exposition has already been extend
ed much beyond the limits to which it was our
purpose in the beginning to confine it. Our
only apology for it is our earnest desire TO con-
vince those whose good opinion. we covet, that
weare not, nor have been wicked, " "sedi;lous,'
"evel-minded," evil-disposcd persona" intent
upon disturbance Of the public peace aud re-
quiring the strong and iron hand Of the mill
tary power of the country to keep US IN sub
lection to the laws; but that we have been
simply engaged in apeaceeble, Legitimate and
lawful attempt to remedy grievances which we
know to be oppressive and wrongs which We
know TO be all but uncomfortable.
By order Of the
COMMITTEE on ELECTIONS.
PARDON INcIDESTs.-Many amusing incl
dents might be recorded Of pardon-seckcrs at