Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-10-05
Virginia Election.

ThcapproachiDg election on the 18th inst,
is one in which it is hoped our citizens win feel
that interest which It's importauce denands.-
That we should be representcd in the Legisla-
ture which it is now thought viii be called in
extra session, az Richmond, 90 the LIST of No
vember, is, VIZ src sure, apparent to all. That
body will, perhaps, do more to shape the fu-
Uure policy Of The State than all its Legislatures
Tor a score Of years, to come. The all-impor-
tant questions Of labor, taxation, privileges Of
the elective franchise, the future status of the
negro, the relations Of the Commonwealth to
the Federal UniOn-in word, questions Of
the highest Government to every citizen Of the
State, win necessarily present themselves for
the consideration and action Of the next Gener-
al Assembly; and upon the course the new or
der of affairs may take under its direction will
the fortunes Of the Old Dominion in the future
greatly depend.
We trust, therefore, that no one having the
necessary qualifications Of voter viii fail to
perform the duty required of him at the coming
election Those qualifications as defined by
the laws Of Virginia, under which, of course,
the election must be held, are, that he shall be
a free white male citizen above twenty-One
years Of age, one year a resident Of the State,
and six months resident Of the County in
which he offers to vote; and if be has in any
wise been connected with the army or govern
)ment Of the late Confeleracy, that he should
take the amnesty oath prescribed by President
johnson or if be is embraced in any one Of
the excepted cases save the 18th exception,
that he should, in addition to the oath above
mentioned, furnish evidence Of his special par
don by the President of the United States
Should he, however, be excluded by no other
exception than the 18th, or as it is popularity
known, he t'reRg thousand dollar exception,
then without the special pardon of the Presi-
dent, he is entitled, under an act Of the Gener-
al Assembly passed at it session at Richmond
in June last, to vote on his simply taking the
general amnesty oath.
As to the right to hold this election, We think
It's as undoubted as the duty
II will not be held in any spirit Of factious
opposition to any existing government, nor in
obstruction of any jurisdiction claimed to be
exercised over Us by the authorities now in
power.
The election on the 10Th win not. therefore
be in opposition to that which will be held
ndef the auspices of the authorities Of West
Ni-siAia che s0t'I inst. On the contrary,
we trust that every one who will be permitted
to participate in the latter election will do so.
and vote for the candidates he believes will
most fairly and justly represent the interests
Of the county in the Legislature at Wheeling.
But, since we are claimed by the State of
Virginia as a part Of its territory, and that
CLAIMS asserted by its Constitution, is main
tanned by its Acts Of Assembly, and has been
confirmed by the opinion Of the Congress Of the
United States, it is our right, and common pru-
dence requires, with this preponderence Of law
and evidence in favor Of our connection with
that State, that we should send delegates to its
Legislature at Richmond, through whom we
shall have a voice in the enactment Of laws by
which, in all human probability, We shall be
governed in the future. AnOmiSsion to dothis
would be in manifest neglect Of our interests.
And, as this County is made by Acts Of the
Legislature of Virginia part of the eth Con-
gressional District of that State, and in con-
ncctionwith Berkeley County the saith Senatorial
District poll will, at the same time, and by
virtue Of the same authority, be opened for the
election Of suitable candidates to fill the above
responsible offices in the National and State
governments.
Polls will, then, be opened for theabove pur-
poses in the different precincts, at the usual
places, and under the direction Of competent
commissioners and conductors to take the bal
lots Of the voters Of the County; but, should
there by chance be a failure to appoint the
proper officers in the manner prescribed by the
Code Of Virginia, it is the right Of the voter to
use his privilege of voting at any other pre-
cinct within the county.