The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-10-05

not unhesitatingly honor the Consti-
tuition, in such Il case repudiate law SO
clearly in contempt of It's provisions
And net such an Act OF the Legislature
would be 10 more palpabiy violation Of
the Constitution, and lhereforey void. than
the aet requiring Inspectors to enforce
the Test cath. Every white male eiti-
zen oftilis State, unless q minor. q paupei,
of unsound mind, under conviction Of
treason, felony, or bribery in anyelection,
or has not been resident Of the State
for a year, and OF the county for Thirty
days. is entitled to Vote at all elections
held within theelection district in which
he resides. This is the language Of the
Constitution-this is the organic law.
The Legislature Is legally as inpotent to
deprive q citizen of this RIGHT or attach
other conditions 10 its exercise, u it .isto
amend the Constitution of lhe United
States. Thea act passed for this purpose
in February last Is a4 much nuihty, a
would have been an act requiring every
voter to declare his fstitlf III Mahomet,
before lepesiting his ballot. The Legis-
lature knew this, and frightened at their
own temerity and reek1essness, they pro-
ceadedalmost Immediately, after passing
the act, t8 adopt joint Resolution, So
TO amend the Constitution as toauthofize
such q law. Beautiful exhibition Of
legislative honesty, wisdom and honor.
Pass a law IN direct Violation of the
Constitution, and then by the iniauitous
enforcement of that law seek to carry an
northumberland the will Of q majority
of the voters of The state, to patch up
the broken instrument! The leaders in
this legislative outrage knew we'll hat
the proposed amendment would never
be carried, unless BY somemeans, a large
portion OF the voters eli the State should
first be disfranchised. The passage Of
the law furnished, as DIZZY believe, the
means 10 TO this; And now, that there
is danger of 4 defeat OF this scheme OF
political lnaVery, by the honest, indie
pendent action Of inspectors who know
their rights. and knowing, dato maintain
them, the alarm is sounded, and the
Governor, forgetful Of proprietY and
dignity, rushes to the rescue, by issuing
an eXtfa-otiicial opinion Of the duty Of
officers. over whom he has no more
authority than he has oVerthe Judges of
Che Court Of Appeals.
The Attorney General also comes cat
IN q lengthy and characteristic opinion,
the law and logic OF which viii be duly
served up on q future occasion. Suffice
Il 70 say. Of It now, that il suea IS his
estimate of die intelligence Of Che con-
stitaeney Of the 10th judicial District,
as 70 lead him tethinl fhat he reasoning
RI Of that opinion has frightened the
prospects Of his election 10 ,he Judge
ship he has entirely Inexperienced lhe
character Of the people.
IN conclusion, we again say 20 IN
apee,ors OF Elections upon yea rests the
responsibility Of deciding whether this
demonstrations Test Oath shall be
enforced. Enforcing ii, you irample
under Your feet the Constitution OF The
State. Rejecting it, you repadiate an
enactment, dishonest in It's purpose,
tyls9nnieal III is efaia etef, and III direct
defiance Of that organic law upon " hioh
the very existence Of Che State rests.
Iie JegigeaAip.
~ e HeeAe{ey Ja5ofsp ia an editorial