The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-01-04
Treatment Of Quondam Rebels.

general rer,aiks on Z subject that seems az
this lime 10 attract more or less attention IN
,hi, comuunliy-1i1: the treatment Of a GER
tain class Of men formerly rebels, but who
have since taken the oath Of allegiance 70 inc
United s.ates government. AZ regards the
particular mssits or dement's Of esssAin @so
among u, have nothing to say. But let US
take q gcueral case: -.
John Joussp man of strong intellect anu
Of high social standing, welding more or
less influence among his neighbors, fol- rea-;
SONS unknown to you or became a. tue out
break Of this rebellion on open md avo"ed
traitor--wieldiug his influence for the over
throw Of tue pest government ever instituted
by mortal minds. You and shy, John Jones
deserves the halter. Two years OF bloody'
conflict passes away; our beloved Chiei
Magistrate, i8 the great kindness Of his hear''
says to John Jones, "You have been, for two
years, seeking to destroy our government and
have miserably failed. We can conquer you
.ubjusate you. if it is necessary, but rather
than see any moro blood shed, will freely
paruVu yuur-hnat iu'Yu'.J, anu 'essV'e :" you
your former rights Of citizenship; on condi'
ton of your laying down your ar"s, coming
within. our Jurisdiction, taking the oath Of
allegiance anG being law abiding citizen"
John Jones taxes tho President at his word
comes within the Federal lincs--takes the
oath Of allcgianee--rcsumcs the functions Of
his former citizenship and his business avoca.
tons. Now, u, stauuch Union men, have we
right 10 gs2 behind the oath and say that
Johu Jones Is still d traitor; that ho took the
oath for sinister motives, and i, to all intcnts
and purposes IS arrant . traitor as ever is
il the course VI wisdom? Would i, not be
far better to yake John Jones by the hand
surround him NTH tho most powerful MON
influence, and by this means make him, in
truth and in iced, a co.workcr in the great
cause Of our asuntry's salvation? Is it no:
time enough 40 prosecute and punish him,
after no wantoaly violates his solemn oath Of
allegiance and commits IN overt act Of tren-
son? The President says to John Jones: "lf
you viola,e ,hi, oath, you will be shot,"
\ public journal has vast responsibilities
resting upon il. It's field is y broadan noble
one. The would i, your school--you the
teacher your aim the elevation Of the people
the cultivation Of the memorable, the
beautiful and The good" High toned, digni-
fed, searching, articles attract the attention
Of the in,cllise gent, thinking portion Of the
community, bringing about you the SUSTAIN
ing influence of the intellect Of the country.
Per,oaasitit, create o days idle talk-thc ap.
plausc Of tie ignorant and praise Of bar
rooms and their hsbituc,. The oJfeial acts OF
a public man belong 10 tho people. llcis their
servant. His acts should ever be closely
scru,iuiz.d, rigidly examined, and freely
canvnsscd in tho column< Of n public journal
Beyond this, into his private life, amid the
sacred precincts Of his home circle, no one
should 50.
am glad TO sec you devoted to the warm
and hearty encouragement Of oil public and
private improvements Of architectural
beauty; Of agricultural and mechanical pur.
suits; Of educational privileges; Of all that
is beautiful anu good that elcvn,cs humanity
and renders mnn happy and useful member
Of society. But your correspondents seem 10
have forgotten that oil articles Of personal
character only create social feuds, neighoor.
hood auarrels, result in no good, and should
DO discouraged. If good and loyal citizen
know. that ABB. or C. D. have violated their
oaths, is it necessary 10 rush into print with
o personal aid rinIictire article? BY no
means. II hc,be q citizen seeking the gen.
oral good, he will 80 quietly to The military
or civil authorities; lay the fact, before
them, and If found 10 DO true, a. Is. or Z. D..
will pay the penalty Of crime by death.
have written this 10 seek the favor Of no
sect or clique, while my loyalty is beyond cavii
or doubt. have aimed to lay down n few
general principles from, what consider,
stand poiut Of Truth and Justice. No ono
rcioiced more than OF the establishment Of
your paper; No one wishes you more nbun-
danl prosperity md hope TO sec the JOUR.
NAL take i.s place in the front rank Of papers
in this new aud rapidly growing State:
d: EGO.