The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-05-28
Radical Intolerance.


The bigotry and intolerance of the
dominant faction in West Virginia were
never better illustrated than in the fol-
lowing document, which with shame be
it said) may be found upon the record
in the circuit court in Upshur county
West Virginia, in this year Of the LORD
eighteen hundred and sixty-six. The
document, like the principles OF the
party from which it emanates, belongs
to a past age. 1t is unworthy OF the
civilization Of these times and disgraces
the State. We would far rather cover
up and conceal these evidences OF Dig
otry that has no parallel save in the re-
puted doings 5f the Spanish inquisitiOn,
but we conceive it to be a duty we owe
to the people of West Virginia, to snow
how far the blindness and intolerance OF
the radical party have led some OF It's
members from all that is honorable, OF
pstriotic, OF consonant with the spirit
Of the times in which we live: Think
of it
State of West Virginia, county Of Upshurr
TO wit: In the Circuit Court thereof
May term, 1865.
The Jurors of the State Of West Viz
einia, in and for the county of Upshur,
now attending the said Court, upon their
oaths present that one Nathan H Taft,
on the 25th day of April, 1866, did un-
lawfully compose, print and publish,
and did cause and procure to be com.
posted, printed and published, certain
hand bill or poster in the words and fig.
ures following, to wit: Grand Union
Mass Meeting in Upshur County Sus
tain President Johnson! Devote one day
to YOUR Country, There will be mass
meeting of the citizens of Upshnr and
adjoining counties who favor the restora.
ion and peace policy of President John
son, and oppose the Registration Law,
and the Constitutional amendment; on
Wednesday, the 2nd day of May, 1866, at
the Court House of Upshur county. Gen.
John j. Jackson, of Parkersburg; Hon.
w. G. Brown, of Preston county; Col.
Dan. D. johnson of Tyler Maj. E. w.
Andrews of Berkeley county; ColJ.G.Lane
of Wetzel county; Henry Walker Esq, of
Clarksburg, will be present and address
the meeting upon the issue involved in
the present canvass. All are earnestly
invited to come out and hear these able
and distinguished men. The people
may rest assured they will hear words
of soberness and truth" (Signed)
Nathan II. Taft Chairman com. of ar
rangement BuckhannonApril2 5th 1856"
In which hand-bill or poster so composed
printed and published, and so caused and
procured to be composed printed and pub
lished as aforesaid by tho said Nathan
II. Taft, the said Nathan H. Taft by 80
composing, printing and publishing, did
attempt to obstruct and oppose, and did
counsel and advise certain persons to
the Jurors aforesaid unknown to OBJ.
struct and oppose the execution of the
act of the Legisla ture of West Virginia,
passed tbs Goth day of February, 1865,
entitled ian Act to regulate the regis
tration of voters and did thereby
threaten, intimidate, disturb and OBJ
struct Of did attempt thereby to threaten,
intimidate, disturb and Obstruct the
officers in the execution Of the said act"
or law, all this in the County of Upshur,
State Of West Virginia, against the peace
and dignity of the State of West Virginia.
MOORE g. PoUNDsTONE,
Acty. Attrs for State,
Mr.. TAFT was one Of the few original
Union men in Upshur county. At great
personal risk and sacrifice, he opposed
secession and was conspicuous for his
devotion to the Interests Of the govern
ment, He was prominent member of
the convention that reorganized the
government Of Virginia, and was one of
tie chief advocates Of the formation of
the new State. But now, because he
loves the prosperity OF the State and
does not want to SEQ her honor furnished
and her wealth destroyed by the adop-
ton Of the constitutional amendment
which has been Submitted to portion
Vt the voters of the State; because he
believes in the wisdom of the policy
pursued by the President of the United
States, and dares 10. be instrumental in
ceiling a meeting OF citizens Of ". Va.
- oppose that amendment and sndorse
that policy, he is indicted as a criminal
aud threatened with fine or imprison-
ment. The indictment is framed nnder
an act passed by the Infamous
legislature of 1866, commonly known as
1.-The gag law" and is, we believe, the
first attempt that has been made to OK.
ecute the provisions of that act, 1t is
perhaps needless for us to add that
DAN FARNswoRTH, of hog notoriety and
predictions for Grape, was the foreman
of the Grand Jury that inflicted this
disgrace upon humanity and civiliza.
+ion
Ohio paY,,oern;Tc s,nte Couvan,Sou