The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-05-09
Returned Rebels.


The excitement that subsists in many
portions of this State in relation to the
return of citizens who have been engaged
in the rebellion gives to the following
order of General HALLECK, commanding
at Richmond, peculiar significance here
From The Richmond Wing, May4
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION }
OF THE JAMES, RICHMOND, VA;
May 3, 1865. }
Major General Ord, Commanding Depart
ment of VTginia:
GENERAL All persons, without regard
to their rank or employment IN the civil
or military service of the late rebel Gov
eminent, will be permitted to take the
amnesty oath, and will receive the cor,
responding certificate. Those excluded
from the benefit of such oath can make
application for pardon and restoration
70 civil rights, which applications will
be received and forwarded to the proper
channels for the action of the President
of the United States. The fact that such
persons have voluntarily come forward
and taken the oath of allegiance will be
evidence of their intention to resume the
stains of loyal citizens, and constitute a
claim for Executive clemency.
Very respectfully, your obedient ser
want, H. w. HALLEcK, b., q
Major General Commanding.
Official copy: ..'
&c. KEIToN, Asst Adj. Gen.
It will be observed that this order ap-
plies directly to the class OF persons whose
return to this State has created such
commotion. We are not aware that any
of LEES army propose to come here
simply upon their parole. All who are
returning, or who desire to return, either
have taken OF are willing to take the
amnesty oath, and the fact that these
persons have voluntarily come forward
and taken that oath should, in West Vir-
ginia as we'll as in Richmond. restore
them to the status of loyal citizens.
This order of Gen. HALLECK's serves to
show what is the policy of the Admins
tration in regard to these men. OF
course, it has been sanctioned and APP
proved by the President, and HALLEcK
is merely carrying out his Instructions,
in admitting to the benefits of the am
nesty, these persons who have been en-
ploycd in the military or civil service OF
the rebel government. 1t is in striking
contrast with the intolerance and pro-
scription which have been manifested
here with the connivance of officials and
the encouragement of the press.
The whole question of the right OF
these men to return, having renewed
their allegiance to the United States
government, and enjoy all the privileges
fcitizenship, is so plain as to be appar-
ent to every man not blinded by passion
or opposed to the supremacy Of law
The law certainly guarantees to returned
rebels the right to settle where they
choose and enjoy the protection of the
authorities, both civil and military, so
long as they live peaceably in obedience
to the laws of the United States aud OF
the State where they may reside. No
body of citizens OF of soldiers has right
to trample upon the laws and drive such
% man from his home, or prevent him
from making his residence in West Viz
cinia or elsewhere. Such an act is really
open rebellion, and he is no better than
a rebel who advises such course. The
venerable EDWARD BATES, late Attorney
General in President LINCOLN's Cabinet,
writes concerning state of things in
Missouri somewhat similar to that which
prevails here: 1--WE have no sovereign
but the lao, and l affirm that 'choerer Is
unfaithful to that sovereign, whoever
lightly estecms the laws of the land, and
cantonly bamples them dOwnt for the aggran-
di:ement of himself Or his Jactios, cdanet
possibly bea loyal mar 49,, s..
We trust that those who pride them.
selves upon their loyalty will reflect
upon this declaration Of leading men,
Der of their political party, and one of
the ablest LAWYERS in the United States