Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-26
Some suggestions for Members OF the
Legislature.


MoHoSaAL1A Co, W. VA, jan 40 90
Editors LnteILigsaesr:
wish to say through your paper 10 Gut
Legislature, now in session. 'nas 80 ss
+bs convention which formed our eonstItu-
ton made a great error in not ENGRAVING
nroyision which would have DISTINGUISHES
Ali traitors, There is nothing IN our cou-
stitution and laws to prevent traitoE
who has been robbing and numbering our
people, in the service of JET. DAVIS uVn
coming back and having all the rign's o'
citizenship that the most loyal nsVe-Pro
yided he foxes the amnesty OATH; a9u ~
the by what does 8 traitor care lor niS
oath2-A man that is mean enough "
TRAITOR is mean enough to violate MS oatu'
and is not fit TO live in the Unlteu 0tStee'
But if the loyal people IN mercy 40 a. NV
these Wretches to stay in the county, ny
should be put in the same sltustlon EueS
free negroes are, and allowed 10 t EICto
privileges than the darkles nave NV
gentlemen of our Legislature let me say W
Vouzthat it is considered great outrage
upon the rights of all loyal people OF our
Slate. that we have no law to prevent
trsitors from voting at our elections. This
Tronu Won can remedy. Look at the 18th
article ofour State Constitution. You will
ace there that you have the power to com.
mence that which will remedy this evil
and wrong. There ia no doubt, il you
mass an amendment to our constitution
which will forever disfranchise all traitors,
il will pass, the next Legislature, and will
| be approved and adopted by vote OF the
loyal people of this commonwealth.
| Maryland has a provision in her Con-
s,itntiSn dapriyiur all who aided and
allotted in the present rebellion from Vo"
ting or holding any Office in her Common
wealth, and there is no doubt but Missouri
and Tennessee has or will do the same
Then why should West Virginia, whose
loyal people we're among the first to resist
rebel traitors, degrade itself 80 much as
to allow traitors the right to vote and hold
Office!
Now, gentlemen of the Legislature,
hope and trust that you will soon begin
the good work of amending our Constitu'
ton in such way as will forever distran'
chise all traitors, Sc that the loyal people
of the State can finish it and blot out the
foul stigma that now rests upon them o.
having traitors allowed the privilege o.
citizens. And, gentlemen, l hope when
you commence amending our Constitution
you will fLit so as to disfranchise all who
voted tor SECESSION, ana all VINO nave Rlu
ed or abettd the rebellion in any shape OIL
form either by joining their army OF giving
it aid and comfort IN any way. And i
seems to me all deserters from our army
should be included, and such militiamer
as run off when called by the proper au-
thorities to repel rebel invasion. l hops
the Legislature will remember that it va!
by voting for Secession that all the vas
expenditure of money and horrors of thiI
rebellion were brought upon US, aud those
who voted for it voted themselves out O
the United States, and consequently have
no just right to vote in it again. And fur.
tber, / hope our Legislature will remember
that the people of the State have SOW
ereign RICH! to say who shall vote anC
hold Office, and who not. And there il
no earthly doubt but what large msjor
ity of the loyal people wish all traitors
and deserterS disfranchised.
Now, MeeEs Editors, will conclude BY
requesting you to take this subject up ant
urge the Legislature to pass the desired
amendment to our Constitution. You il
your paper tan show how unjust it is t.
our soldiers that rebel traitors should have
as much political privilege as they have
Yours, n.