The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-06-26
Message or Governor Pierpcint, Of
Virginia.

at Richmond on the 10Th inst. The Gov.
ernor commenced by referring to the des-
olating effects of war upon the old Com
and congratulates the peo-
pie upon the return of peace After
review of the political and military
events of the last four years, and de-
tense, upon constitutional grounds, and
the fact that the loyal people are thrown
,pon their original rights, OF the changes
made in the organic law by the Wheel
ing Convention and of the Legitimacy OF
his position as Governor of Virginia,
Governor Pierpoint goes on to speak of
the rights of citizenship as follows:
The rights of an American citizen in
State are various, among which are those
nnder the Constitution and laws Of the
limited States. Included are his claims
to redress of any wrong done him in any
of the States of the Union or in foreign
nations, as well as the immunities and
privileges of his citizenship, both of the
State and the United States. These are
asserted or redressed through the agen-
cies created by the United States, under
the Constitution and laws, as nation
In the State where he resides, his rights
are asserted and his wrongs redressed
under the municipal laws of his State.
Protection by the Government embraces
in its broadcast sense the free use of all
the agencies created by the State and
Federal governments for the convenience,
the welfare, the protection and the hap
piness of the citizen in all that pertains
to him. For this protection the citizen
is bound to obey the laws, contribute to
support the Government, assert its rights
when in danger, and fight its enemies.
According to the Constitution of our
Government in its broadcast sense, the cit
izens right can only be fully protected
BY the exercise of the agencies created
by the Federal and State governments
for that purpose. Deprive citizen of
his rights to the agencies created by the
State government for his benefit, and be
is only half protected; perhaps all his
power to assert his rights and redress his
wrongs may be lost.
By the term agencies in this cOnnec.
ton, embrace all the officers known to
the laws of the Federal and State Gov
ernments, as agents and servants of the
people. TO perform the public duties as
signed them by the laws The assistance
or service of these agencies is one of the
natural rights of the citizen and ac-
cording to our theory of government,
sovereignty resides in the people, and by
the exercise of that sovereignty they
create the offices and appoint the persons
to fill them, directly or indirectly.
The people Of a State may be divided
into two classes during a rebellion, the
one class loyal, the other disloyal I've
loyal are the true and faithful TO the
Government; the disloyal are the un-
faithful and those in opposition to the
Government. The loyal are entitled to
the protection of the GovrTnment; the
disloyal are not entitled to the protection,
but are subjects of the punishment de-
nouuced by the laws against those who
disobey. The loyal have natural duties
and natural rights. The disloyal have
forfeited their rights by their acts; any
favor extended to them is by the grace OF
a beniticent Government.
After laying down these premises, the
Governor contends that Governor Letch,
er, in waging war upon the loyal people
of Virginia, had virtually abdieatrd his
Office, and the sub 'equent erection OF
another government AID the abolition
of slavery by the war power, were legal
and iusti6able acts He then proceeds
to sum up as follows
Thus, State sOvereignty--the status OF
the African race-the armed resistance 10
the Government of the United States
are disposed of, and we have arrived at
the important point of the restoration OF
on State to al its former relation in the
Union This is a delicate task, and one
that demands great wisdom and pru-
dence. Old political issues have passed
awav; animositieS, created by the stern
conflicts of war, will pass with the sub
sidence OF angry feeling, and reason and
calm reflection follow the teveriSh excite.
ment through which we have passed
| Beyond the demands of public Justice
any action tending to produce irritation,
or create new causes of difference, would
be not only inconsistent with humanity,
but with a sound and enlightened policy.
demands our immediate consideration is
that of the restoration ofpolitiCal rights
to those who have heretofore enjoyed
them. Since the restoration of the seat
of government to this city, | have con-
yersed with intelligent gentlemen, OF
every shade of political opinion, and
from every portion Otthe Commonwealth.
Our intercourse has been OF the most
frank and uureserved character, and |
have been most favOrably impressed
with the earnestnesS and sincerity of
their good intentions; and am cOnvinc-
ed that, if the test of loyalty prescribed
by our Constitution is enforced in the
election and qualification of officers, it
would render organization impractical
BILE in most Of the counties of the State
1t is folly to suppose that a State can be
governed under a republican form of
government wherein large portion Of
the State, nineteen-twentieths of the
people. are dsfranchiSed, and cannot
hold Office But, fortunately, by the
terms of the Constitution, the General
Assembly has control of this subject The
restricting clauses Of the Constitution
were devised in time of war But we
have passed through this great and ter
rible conflict, waged on both sides with
a skill and pertinacity seldom eQualed.
When the passions Of men ran riot, and
blood was spilled like water-.when, on
this side of the line, all between the ages
of seventeen and fifty were made SOL
diers, and for want of faith in a depre-
~; ad ourrapov an,anlias m tbaca cO1liars