The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-23
Severe Measures in West Virginia

The Legislature of West Virginia during
the war passed sonic measures against citizens
of that State who had joined the Southern
cause, which We're as proscriptive as any
adopted by Missouri, and even worse, we be-
Neye; than any resorted to in Maryland. The
war being over and there being time for pas
sion to cool and the kindly feelings of humanity
10 be called up, 1t might have been supposed
that these measures of the new State carved
out OF the much honored Virginia-honored
for her magnanimity as well as her courage
would have been SO altered as to assume q
more liberal and just spirit. But Governor
BoRHxAS, in his message, does not encourage
this sentiment. He hardens his face and his
heart, and urges no amendment save what
may facilitate the final departure of those citi-
Gems who had, by their sympathieS with the
South, fallen under the ban Of his Govern
ment They have no right to sue in any Of
the courts of West Virginia; and the Governor
advises that this restriction be so far modi-
fed as to allow them TO appeal to the courts
and to sell their property prior TO going away.
We knew Governor FOREMAN some years ago,
when a delegate TO the Legislature here in
Richmond. He was generally esteemed as a
polite gentleman of quiet and amiable DISPOSE
ton; and no one who knew him then could
have anticipated any thing of the relentless
ness which his policy displays. What con-
trast is held out from the two States Here no
one suffers disability, and all are equal before
the law; even the men who were bitterest
against the great body of the people are in the
receipt Of once and emolument. 1t may be
answered that we could not avoid 1t. Well,
be II so; but Governor BoRgAAS and his
nj
determinations 1t is their glorious privilege to
b able to be magnanimous. How miserably
poor IL the qualification of a revenge, beside
the noble, conscientious joy in the generous
and Mercifui administration Of Power.
As pertinent to this subject, we quote the
following compliment to Kentucky from the
Selma eAla.) Times:
"In Kentucky, where the population was
more equally divided; where the number of
whites In the Confederate army was scarcely
inferior TO that in The Union army, the serious
and rejecting men Of all parties looked TO the
future with apprehension-not only We're all
the evils so severely felt in Tennessee feared
Dnt y was thought pistol and u bOwie-knife
MaIIaIe would almost inevitably last until the
ses a generation passed away. Yet there
ensd and patriotic Governor of that STATE. n
Union man nrst and last and ali the fine
supporter Of the Union cause in the conncii
- 49, 49, 1cS0s Win NE tongue, his Nor,
AZ sword, rose superior to all personni ana
partisan feeling. laid every prejudice and every
antipathy upon the altar Of reunited corsy
try, aud threw the weight OF his priyata .ns
omcial influence In beh1fo q union of hearts
and union Of hands as well IN OF Laws hi
lofty policy has been cheerfuliy and cordially
Imported by the Legislature; the people have
reNAed around both, and the sad traces of war
~ sxsn now almost obliterated there.
IAanks 70 Governor Bramlette and those
~ 1sye 70 ably sustained him, Kentucky has
4slnsd ssn years upon Tennessee and Missouri
in the race OF prosperity, and future genera.
lions win rise up TO cali them blessed