The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-06-26
GOV, PERPOINTs arEsSAGE.

last, We have received an official copy
of it. To us of West Virginia, who are
( familiar with the history of the Restored
Government, which the Governor ex-I
plains for the benefit of his new con-
stituents, the only part of the mes
sage specially interesting is the follow
I ing allusion to the new and altered
condition of things in which the Gov
ernor and the Legislature now find
themselves:
State Sovereignty-thes status of the
African race-the armed resistance to
the Government of the United States
ore disposed of; and we have arrived at
the important point of the restoration
of our State to all its former relations
I in the Union. This is Il delicate task,
and one that demands great wisdom
and prudence. Old politicalis issues have
4 passed away; animOsities, created by
4 the stern conflicts of war, will pass with
the subsistence of angry feeling, and
reason and calm reflection follow the
/ feverish excitement through which we
/ have passed. Beyond the demands of
public justice, any action tending to
produce irritation, or create new causes
l of difference, would be not only incOn-
sistent with humanity, but within sound
and enlightened policy. The most
important question which demands
our Immediate consideration is that
of the restoration of political rights
to those who have heretofore enjoyed
tthem Since the restoration of the Seat
of Government to this city, 1 have con-
versed with intelligent gentlemen, of
I every shade of political opinion, and
from every portion of the Common
wealth. Our intercourse has been of
! the most frank and unreserved charuc-
I ter, and have been most favOrably i'm
s.TvN
certify of their good intentions; and am
convinced that, ifthe test of loyalty pre-
scribed by our Constitution, is enforced
in the election and qualification of Off
GERS, it would render organization i'm
practicable i'll most Ofthe counties of the
State. 1t is folly, to suppose that State
can be governed under IL republican
form of government wherein large
portion of the State, nineteen-t wentiethS
of the people are disfranchised and cam
not hold office. But, fortunately, by the
terms of the Constitution, the General
Assembly has control of this subject.
The restricting clauses of the Constitu-
ton were devised in time of war. But
we have passed through this great and
terrific conflict, waged on both sides
with skill and pertinacity seldom
equalled. When the passions of men
riot, and blood was spilled like water;
when, on this side of the line. all be-
tween the ages of seventeen and fifty
five were made soldiers, and for want
Offaith in deprecated currency, sup
plies to these soldiers failed, it is not
wonderful that men responded to APP
peals for voluntary aid i'll the shape of
of food and clothing to those of their
own family and household. Indeed, it
would be wonderful if they had not.
But now that the conflict is passed, they
accept the facts developed by the logic
ofthe past four years, declare that they
have taken the oath of allegiance to the
! Government of the United States with
out mental reservation, and intend to
be, and remain, loyal to the Govern
ment ofthcir fathers. 1t would not be in
accordance with the spirit of that noble
Anglo-SaNon race from which we boast
our common origin, to strike fallen
brother, or impose upon him humiliat-
ing terms after fur surrender. There
fore, if it were even practicable to or
gunlZe the counties under the disuuali-
flying clauses OF the Constitution, l
should still earnestly recommend their
repeal. WcmuSt not loose sight of the
great fact, that whilst man is a social
and religious being, he is, at the same
time, lighting animal; hence, whilst
we commend and encourage the milder
and better prOpenSitieS OF his nature we
must not deal too harshly with the
other, lest we defeat the objects of wise
legislation, and degrade where we would
All admit that n person disloyal to the
1 Government which gives him protec-
ton should not be allowed to vote or
i hold office under that Government;
hence the suggestion of an oath of 10y
!! atty. IwOuld recommend the amnesty
onth prescribed by the Pre- ident of the
United Suites, or one of aSsinilnr cha
rlcter, as that TO be substituted for the
one required by the Constitution rs it
now stands.
+ 1t is of the utmost importance that
the county officers shall be elected with
out delay; the public welfare demands,
and people desire, that law and order
. shall be restored ms speedily as possible,
ana that they may conform to the new
, state of affairs and address themselves
! to the grateful task of repairing their
: broken fortunes, restoring the waste
places, and developing the great rcsour-
ceS of our Commonwealth: This is to
! be accomplished under new system of
labor created by the war. We have
been taught by hard experience that
our old system contained a fatal ele-
mcnt of weakness; the new system con-
tains the clements of strength which
proved so potential in the late conflict
The result will be homogeneous ma
ton insepnrably bound together by
commercial, social and political ties, all
Hcnerating the name OF Washington,
and maintaining the flag that is known
ana respected III every land and on
every sea. 10 ensure this consumma-
ton, let our ardent and earnest PRAYER
!, be, " Forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespasS against us. !"
If we cannot forgive, how can we hone
to be forgiven? No man ever entered
the kingdom of Heaven with animoSi-
/ ties in his breast; no nation can attain
greatness without faith amongst it's ped-
pie. When, after Israel returned from
Babylon, they so speedily rebuilt Jeru-
snlem, it was because 1.-THE people had
n mind to the work.
The subject of negro suffrage is excl
ting great interest mt present all over
the country; but as neither you or 1
have control over that subject, it will, of
course, not be subject OF your deliber-
atoms. 1 would recommend the pas
Lsngo of an net to leEnlizn tho nnnrrinra