The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-05-17
FINAL WORD ON THE AMENDMENT.


Before another number of our
paper shall have reached our readers,
the question will be decided, whether
the proposed amendment to our State
Constitution shall be adopted. Rarely
have people been called upon to decide
a question of graver moment to their
interests, both public and private. If
the amendment shall be adopted, the
State has nothing before it but pros
pect of internal alienation and conten
ton, and the fercest party, and personal
rancor and hate. affecting all the re-
iations and interests Of society. The
majority of its present citizens, deprived
of all the rights and privileges Of State
citizenship, and reduced to level with
the negro as to civil rights under the
Federal laws, will look upon the Govern
ment of West Virginia as their enemy,
standing in injustice. ruling in tyranny,
and the just object Of their opposition
and hate. Instead Of cooperating for
The advancement and honor of the
state, they will combine against its in
teTess ndxejoiee in its defeat and dis
grace. Such will be the condition Of
society. that families from other States,
seeking new homes, and desiring har-
moHy and peace around them, will
direct their steps to other and more in
vitin@ fields Of labor and enterprise.
Capital viii seek investment in safer
and more promising regions. Indeed
there is lot an important interest Of the
State, thaf will not be deeplypreiudiced,
adopted. While ii shall stand as part OF
the organic law, the State, instead of
advancing III population, enterprise, in
telliaenee and wealth, will every year
ratrograde in all these elements OF pros
pefity and strength. Il needs no spirit
OF prophecy to foretell these results.
The are inevitable. 70 place a ma
io9ity Of the inhabitants Of State in
an attitude Of positive antagonism 10
It's great interests, especially where the
people have been educated III freedom,
and that minority representing two
lhirti5 OF the property Of the State, is as
sure 10 arrest It's growth, palsy its
energies. destroy lis peace. and # long
continued bring II to utter ruin, as effect
follows cause. The proposed amend
ment, il adopted, and carried out, viii
place Il majority Of the people Of this
State IN .iHst the attitude we have de-
seYi5ed t viii infiict upon them the
deepest wrong which, as citizens, they
can suffer. II viii deprive them Of the
dearest rights Of American freemeG. It
viii place them in degrading subsection
teaif ignorant, but ambitious and un-
efi4cipled o!igarchE Supporting the
Government BY their taxes, they must,
without voice in its administration
submit 10 the rule of a minority. Wit
Messing their families insulted their
rights trampled upon, their interests
sacrificed, yet they must submit in
silence. These and other wrongs they
must suffer, or leave their longcherish-
sd homes, and the graves of their faith
crs, to seek abodes in q land of strangers.
Are we not correct then, in saying that
they will look upon the government of
West Virginia as their enemy, if it
shall be administered upon the principle
Of ;and will they just
ly regard every man who shall sustain
this administration as also their enemy,
and treat him as such in all the relations
Of life? And what the results will be
upon individual and State prosperity
it needs no special wisdom to foresee.
PADIGALTSM WANING.