The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-08

comma aded the 14th w. Va. Infantry.
and received several honorable wounds
all of which has not saved him from the
malice of the Malignants" who call
him rebel. Judge his loyalty from his
speech.
-" Mr.. johnson, of Tyler, said as this
was question not only for the present
but for the future he arose to speak
against the Bill. Was the Bill in ac-
cordance with the spirit of our institu-
tions, the Constitution of the State. the
Constitution of the United States, the
present policy of the Federal Govern
ment or in accordance with the spirit of
Christianity. No. The Bill was an at
tempt to subvert the liberties of the peo-
pie. Free government is instituted up
ON the will of the governed despotisms
are sustained upon the will of the gov
ernor. What is proposed by this bill?
The Legislature does not leave the ques-
ton to the Judiciary; it proposes to
ALLEVIATE a large number of the, people of
this State"
The duty of the Legislature was to
make laws, not to accuse or pass judy
ments. This bill arraigns every citizen
of the State, exceptonly those who have
served in the army; and reversing the
to be innocent until he is proven guilty,
it presumes that he is guilty of treason
and compels him to purge himself of
the charge. We here overstep even the
power of the Judiciary, and in defiance
OF law and the Constitution presume to
declare those men guilty of crime.
We profess to have a republican gov
eminent, we profess to be the guardians
of the liberties of the people. During
the rebellion he had often thought he
would prefer to see a monarchy erected
within our borders, than to see the re-
bellion succeed. The war had ended in
a glorious success for the Union, and he
had no fears of a monarchy unless it
was to be erected in this State. This
tendency was to that end; fanatical
spirit was driving the State to ruin. We
should act with caution and prudence
Freemen would never submit to tyran-
ny. Shall it prove true that a republic
cannot sustain the shock of a civil war.
The Constitution Of the State clearly
defined who were voters, and this law
was in direct conflict with that instru-
ment. One of the leading Judges of the
State in rendering his decision upon a
similar law, had declared it null and
void. Would this Legislature, in the
as the one now under considerations
The Bill was retrospective in its effect,
and clearly an e.c post Tucto law. It de-
MED sacred rights; and presumed to
punish men for offences committed III
years gone by.
The proclamations 0famnesty declared
that all persons assuming, the amnesty
oath should be protected in all their
rights and privileges. Many OF the men
who had taken this oath were now re-
siding within the borders of this State.
Were wess by enaeting such laws as the
law now before the House, in good faith
keeping the pledge given to those mon?
This law does not inlany particular, re-
spect the pledge given the men who had
given up their cause. The constitution
provided that the life of no man should
be- twice placed in jeopardy for the same
onence. The men who would be affected
by this bill had been pardoned by the
Presidents amnesty proclamation, and
that settled the question. The laws OF
the United States were the supreme laws
of the land, and no State could arraign
man for an offence for which he had
been pardoned by the Chief Executive
of the nation.
1t should be the object of the legisla-
|
masses to legislate in a manner calcu-
lated to unite our people in the bond
of friendship and love. 1t WAS claimed
by some that the men affected by this
bill would get possession of the State II
the law was not passed. He believed
that Il majority OF the people within the
limits OF the State would prove loyal 10
its interests. It our legislature was OF
proper and conciliatory nature, we
need have no fears OF our nasters-tfe
people OF the Commonwealth.
Did the Sacred Scriptures incucaie
such spirit as theone prominent in this
billo We were taught to pray, (" for
give us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trepass against u.s. He had
heard ministers of the gospel N thai
hall utter these words inprayer and had
often wondered whether they really de-
sired it's fultilment and what would be
their condition if the only forgiveness
they obtained was such as they accorded
| to their fellow men. l
1t has been said that unless this bill
is passed. the preSen, members Of this
House will not reiurned TO their seats.
dc not think the interests of the State
would suffer ii such men We're not re-
turned ! would warn the members Of