The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-09
The Disa6Uity Of Re6eis to SIZE.


we witness any indication of a return
upon The part of the Radicals of this
county and state, TO a liberal and Just
policy. we shall be amongst the first to
chronicle the fact, and to award them
due credit for it. 1t was therefore with
pleasure that we read so much of an cd
itorial III the last Berkeley Union as re-
lates to the subject of the disability of
rebels to sue in the Courts of this State.
Its sentiments upon that subject are
manly and just That disabling statute
may as the onion states, have been eX-
cusable under the circumstances under
which 1t was passed; we shall make no
issue With it upon that point,-but all
will concede, that it has been atsedin this
county and elsewhere, for such knavish,
dishonest and fraudulent purposes, as
to shock the moral sense of every up
right man in the community. We are
gratified therefore to have the assurance,
from such unqnestionable authority,
that the representatives of this county
concur heartily in the general sentiment
of its condemnation, and will bring for
ward measures for its instant repeal
By such action, they will make some
atonement for the wrongs by which
their election has been secured.
We regret that the merit of that edi-
torial should have been so seriously
married by its concluding paragraph
The stand which the Conservatives of
this county have taken, is not 50 much
rebels ought, or ought not to be allowed
TO vote, as it is, that being already clear
ly and indisputably entitled to thatpriv-
ilege under our existing system of gov
eminent, whether they shall beillegally
deprived of that right, in defiance of the
Constitution under which they live:-
Had the Constitution of West Virginia,
when il was framed in 1862, declared
that no one, MencetoTth, giving aid or
comfort to the rebellion should be enti-
tied to vote, the question would have
presented itself under a very different
aspect. Such a provision would have
been prospective, and the power ofaState
to prescribe and regulate the elective
franchise within its own limits, when in
doing so, it does not violate any of the
prohibitions upon the power of the States
contained in the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, is unqucstionable. But as
that instrument, although framed and
adopted amidst the eXcitements of civil
conmotion, has imposed no such lnita-
ton up0nU tile electric franchise; and when
the effort is now made in period ofpro-
found peace, by a reckless faction, to ac-
complish by illegal means, what the au-
ihors OF that instrument, when perfectly
in their power, refused to do under the
cEasperations of war:-it is enough to
fill every honest heart with indignation
TO see 50 little respect paid to the orgap-
&c and fundamental law of the State/ 1t
y in truth, a sad and humiliating spec
tacle to Witness in community that
boasts Of It's freedom and law, hundreds
OF our fellow citizens, in broad day light,
by legislative usurpation aided by parti-
Fan violence, forcibly and insultingly
denied their Constitutional rights; and
the very oaths and tribunals provided
for their protection used for the purposes
Of outrage and disfranchisement: and
yet all this has been unblushinply ex-
-hibited before the public eye. Wrono
and injustice naturally excite in every
honest bosom, sentiments Of hatred and
resistance. And it is the outrage upon
the sanctity of Constitutional guarantees
which has given life and vigor to the
CONSERVATIVE PARTY, now for the frs
time rising in this State, and which must
if the Radicals persevere in their pro
scriptive and illiberal policy, soonm arcl
to certain and assured AsCENDANCY.-
Intolerance, prescription, Test Oaths
Alien and Sedition Laws, with all thu