The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-10-11

forth, I'm subjugated,. aud I'm whig."
" Ex-Rebels. .:
The following may 6t in Kanauha as
we'll as in Berkeley county:
We were in the habit Of ruaning, from
rebels during the war, when they came
upon US thick and fast; but now that
tho Union mon Of our county have moth.
ing but tho rebels, or to use the more
4" elegant" phrase. co,ucruatives, to fight.
We arc not disposed to be intinidated BY,
their bold front, or real attacks. The
Nsp Era, however, in its last weeks
issue, presents a new species of rebels
of the conservative type, who come now
to fight " iu tho Union" We have no
doubt this class Of rebels tried the war
out of the Uoion to their satisfaction,
and now determine to take the plan Of
Henry A. Wise, aud fight for their rights
iii the Union" .-.s... -.
Ikappcars to be source Of scstatic
pleasure to them, thai: :Arnolds arc found
in the Union ranks who are willing TO
serve them and their cause. =
Ex rebels now propose to arm them.
selves with the Constitution they regard
it a coat Of mail that will successfully
ward off the blows of loyal men, hence
thcy imagine themselves in an impreg-
nabls fortress, apparently not aware that
in that very, instrument to which they
have fed for protection, there is gal.
lows erected that swings them side by
side with John Brown. the assasains OF
President Lincoln, and the conservative
Wirz, if he survives his trial: Executive
pleuc ncy. may shield them from merited
punishment. but it can never wipe away
the crime; while they live, they will DO
held responsible by their fellox-country.
men for their treason, and when they die
they will fll the traitors grave.
Our social relations, and tho vast
numbers criminatcd, however, demand
e1ecutive> cleusncy in their behalf. Our
President would net unwiscly mot to ex.
tend pardon to the masses upon proper
manifestation Of repentance and return.
ing loyalty, but to extend to them, at
this particular time, oil the rights and
privileges Of loyal men, would bo crimi.
nal in the extreme. - ::
The perpotuity of the American Union
would not be secure beyond the next
Presidential election, if treason be not
punished or checked in some way. :.
Hence, We hold. that If treason be not
punished, checked or, restrained 10. some
way, the precedent thus furnished would
not deter revolt, insurrection or revolu-
ton 10 the future, and since it is left
with tho Suites to regulate the right Of
suffrage, and to declare who shall and
who shall not have the right to vote, all
loyal citizens Of West Virginia should BE-
o unit in disfranchising the aiders and
abettors Of the late rebellion, at least for
a time. For thispurpose let every friend:
Of Yves. Virginia support the proposed
amendment. -.
In thus acting, he would violate Meth.
er the spirit nor letter Of tho Constitu.
ton Of the United States, but would
support the Union and condemn. dis
union would reward virtue and punish
vico 10 fnc, would discourage treason
und encourage patriotic devotion to our
common country. He would be acting
10 perfect harmony with the Admins
tratiou, and do the highest justice to
himself and children, and to the nation
at large. = ,a,.
Give the rebels Of West Virginia a
vote to-day, and the result would be
that every man who supported the Con.
stitution Of West Virginia, OF iu any
way aided or encouraged the erection Of
q new State, would be 10 the power Of !
nerciles.ls, enemy, whose. aim would be.
through yindictive prescription, TO
drive us out of,thc State, and finally de.
stroy our ,enterprising, West Virgins,
and reduce us to vassalage in the Old.
Dominion again. Il : :. ...iy ..s772. ..s72:..
To-day every: rebel would drag Berke:s
ley and Jefferson back into bondage TO-
tho Richmond aristocracy, if; be could
accomplish it. The conservative ,eandi;- 1;
dates nov. in tho field from this, county,
are every one opposed 70 the new State.
2. It,is to the Interest Of the, rebels %:
elect such men, hence they bitterly OPP,
pose the test oath. ;;,apd. cry--.". Help,
|iI,ssius. or II siuktl,, ?$i These Apnibalss
through treachery, carried Virginia into
Secession and Rsbellios:r;1: And fthey
now fad that Rones also: has :Sits
Anuibils," and: Fibius has relieved them
of; their! charge, Why should :rogne :crJi
{ rogue, :: or thief cry;"s stop thief:
this is their policy, y,;.laxe are prepared,
70 reet;it. r. Il Sc: sS$ IS: s. 3,s;st Z;