The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-02-20

and to secure to the STATE Hll InoSs VIM
are justly and legally entitled 70 Eo VOC.
1t Is a measure of protection 70 the
State. When this war commenceds u
Is a lamenGabIe fact, that large portion
NJ the citizens of this State went into
TefleIliou. They were not compelled TO
90. but only followed their own incli-
nations. They went, and in doing SO,
everything-home, friends, kindred,
and all the rights and privileges TO
which thew were entitled. And when
they went away many of the gentlemen
upon this floor viii remember the
threats they then made, that they wonld
come back, drive them of, and again
possess the country. For four long aud
bloody years they have waged areient-
less and sanguinary war against me
Government OF the United States, and
against this State. They said West
Virginia was a bastArd-a bogus con-
Germ and soon would they come back
and destroy the shadow OF state Wnlcn
we had dared to erect out OF the ruins
of the old Commonwealth. They nave
been all this time waging war against
US, and yet, in the face OF all this, men
who before the war were our netRhbors,
and who owed their advancement TO
us, and who have used all the energies
in their power to destroy us, now come
back and ask that they may enjoy all
the privileges and immunities that be-
long 20 loyal citizens. These men have
by their own acts forfeited all their
rights and privileges as citizens and
stand to-day as enemies OF the General
Government and of this State. They
are enemies and have been during the
entire war, and there Is nothing in their
actions since the close of the struggle
that would warrant US in believing that
they have even repented OF their crimes,
and they are now as they ever nave
/
State, and would If they had the power
to-day force us back to the old State and
bring upon US all the woes that that
State is now subjected to.
The gentleman from Tyler said that
the liberties of the country were at
stake. This has been the cry OF GER
rain marty all through the war. 1t has
zone M all over the land, from the rear
Of Lhe boys IN blue, who were fighting to
sustain the government which was en-
dangered by traitors. And now, the
same cry is heard in this hall III the
liberty Of our country depends upon
placing the government in the hands of
such men, God save US from such liber-
ty! envy not the man who stands up
and advocates the cause of men who
have been laboriug for four years TO de-
stroy the government they now ask
shall be placed in their hands. He has
been a soldier, and for aught know,
has served his country faithfully and
well, and yet he now stands in his place
on this fIoor, and says these men-men
from whose hands the stain of blood
shed in futile but desperate attempt
to destroy Che government of our coun-
try. Is not YET washed away, must be
allowed TO vote, or the liberties of the
country are endangered. The people
demand this action ut our hands, to
guard the old flag Of liberty and place
l Innf III 20
privileges. What would have been the
result II the rebels had succeeded? Eve
nv man opposed to them would have
been compelled to fee the State or be
reduced to state of vassalage, and be-
come "hewers OF wood and drawers Of
water"
Again, the gentleman says the pas
\ sage of this bill will be a death blow to
i freedom. ask II the people are not as
free as they were five years ago? Have
i they not the same rights and immunitieE
that they then enjoyed? Certainly they
have. No one has been injured but
| those who have SO determinedly and
wickedly tried to destroy both this state
and the National Government; and this
law is to preserve us, and prevent u re.
currence of the same, or perhaps more
| horrible scenes than those through
which we have passed. They have at.
tempted TO ruin us, and have beggarec
many OF our citizens, and 1t Ill becomes
us to give them the power to do SO AGAR
until they have shown fruits meet fol
repentance. SelE-preservation is thu
first law of nature, and 1t is as applica
BILE to governments as to individuals
It Is duty we owe to ourselves and oul
posterity, to protect ourselves and GU
institutions.
The gentleman went deeply into thl
design OF governments, and we vii
lat.
! question. Are LgoVernmentS INSTITUTED
among men TO protect their enemies ant
expose their friends2 No, sir; it is thu
duty of the government to protect 1T
friends, and this is what this net is for
Not to protect ourselves from the posi-
bility OF occurrences fthe scenes through
which we have lately passed, and not 4
use the power which we have SO as 4
prevent these men from again graspini
the reins of government, would b,
suicidal. and against the best interest
of the State.
Again, the gentleman spoke of tn
/, President's Proclamation of Amnesty
and Executive pardons. we submi
cheerfully to the action of the Presiden
: in reserving his pardons, and the ex
. treme leniency which he has shown to
: wards rebels, butth gentleman shout
/, bear in mind the fact that the Amnest
. Proclamation does not restore mon to a
their rights. II Ou'y gives lneu lIhiuu
l nifty for the crimes they committe
against the United States, and restore
) them TO all their rights as to property
except as to slaves; but SO far as thei
: civil and political rights arc concerned
: It does not affect them in the least. Th
: Government has never said who shout
DO voters in any state. It Is a matte
> that is left exclusively under their cor
{ troll, and they may prescribe any n
RtrictiOnS they see proper.
In regard to this bill being OF an e
most GdctO character, shall say but Iii
; tie. In Webster's Unabridged. Die
tionnry, find the definition there lai
down, to be, "in criminal cases, lay
| making an net punishable which wa
innocent at tho timeit was committed.
Was treason an innocent act swhe
these men went into rebellion? Nc
: sir. 1t was punishable with death, AM
they committed IL knowingly and viii
fully, with their eyes open to the exten
I OF their crime, and boosted OF the facI
and yet they now come back and sa,
the bill we propose to pass, is unconsti
r tutiOnal because 1t changes the punish
} ment of n crime after 1t was committed
They knew they were committing trea
son-Ehey had the Constitution nj thei
tongues end, and there is no excus
for them.
The gentleman says the bill Is no
, chfistianinj spirit. The Bible teache
! us that We shah forgive as we are for
; given. HowTdo we know that the.
have forgiven US? Have they shown
: by their iactions2 Why many of then
refuse to speak to us on the street, ant
! their actions, which speak louder thai
} words, tells us that they carry With
; them the spirit of unforgiyeness. ]
! will be well enough for us to forgiv
them when they forgive us for thwart
: ing their attempt to destroy us. Blu
does this PRAYER, which the gentleman
: Incorporates In his speech, say we mus
n IT, ~.