The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-09-14

To be submitted to the voters Of West Vir-
ea ,,o =; On sse s 5 n ny sg, o. octo0e
Editor Ne.o Era:
In conversation with the voters of |
this county have been not little sur
prised to observe, how few seem to be
aware, that on the 4th Thursday in O.
tober next they will be called uponto
consider the adoption or rejection Of |
the following provision as part of the |
permanent and organic law of West Vir-
GINA:
"No person who, since the LIST day of
June, 1861, has gived voluntary aid and
assistance to the rebellion against the
United States, shall be q citizen Of this
State; or be allowed to vote at any cleo
ton held therein, unless he volunteered
United States, and has been or shall be
honorably discharged therefrom."
Now let me for one moment examine
the proposed Constitutional Amendment,
and those whom it will embrace
All who F" since the LIST Of June, 1861,
have given voluntary aid and assist
asace to the rebellion"
Is this confined to those who took up
arms against the UnitedS States, and who
served in the rebel army? Certainly
not. Thousands have been arrested, and
many have been indicted for treason,
who never shouldered a musket, or wore
a sword during the war. Who then
does it embrace? According to the best
established legal opinions upon that SUBJ
ject, it would comprehend every parent,
who equipped his rebel son with horse
or with clothing, or who furnished him
with food, shelter or lodging; every
man who voluntarily sold grain, hay,
horses, cattle, or any Commissary or
Quartermaster supplies to any agent of
the rebel army; all who carried on any
traffic, trade or commerce either of pro-
visionsor merchandise, beyond the Fede-
raj military lines; all whotook the oath
of allegiance to the Confederate authori-
ties; and all who gave a dinner or
nights lodging to q way-worn, hungry
or starving rebel soldier. And what is
the disQsuzll ecatsop now sought to be inn
posed upon our fellow-citizens for these
offences3 Is it that they shall never
hereafter be capable Of holding Office in
this Commonwealth Is it that in all
future time they shall be deprived of
the right of voting in all elections? Is
it that they shall be incapable of prac-
ticing the profession of the law, or any
of the other liberal professions? These
are only some of the consequences which
follow thissweeping edict ofproscription.
If that amendment isadopted all persons
whom we have above described, and
large classes of others not enumerated
will stand deprived Of all their rights as
citizens Of this State; in other words,
they will constitute a class of foreigners
in your midst, shorn of all the rights
and privileges of American citizens.
Again, see how unjust the operation of
this provision must be. Itstrikes down
all who from the LIST day Of June,
1861, gave aid or assistance to the rebel
lion. It matters not after the first clash
of arms in June, 1861, and when the
true character and vast proportions of
the contest became revealed, that man
may have repented of his course, and
acted with the most perfect loyalty to
the Union; still for a single act, done
in aid of the rebellion in June, 1861, his
repentance during the residue of the
struggle is unavailing; his subsequent
loyalty and fidelity to the Government
are Of no account. He stands deprived
of all his rights as an American citizen,
unless he has actually volunteered in the
Army or Navy of the United States,
and been therefrom honorably dis
charged.
If this amendment is adopted who
can estimate the thousands who will be
driven from the State by it's proscriptive
effects, and the loss of population, wealth
and enterprise which must result from
such disastrous policy? I barely touch