Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-06-05
rHn Observation-Disclosures PoLICY.

THE NoN-INTERCouRsE POLICY.
Id the ordinary business transactions of
life, it is the adopted policy of human nature
to conduct its private affairs with those whose
actions entitle them to be regarded as friends,
and to withhold all countenance, support or
encouragement from those who conduct them
selves SO as to authorize the assumption that
they are enemies. A mere difference of
opinion, however, eitherif politics or religion,
has no such controlling influence, aud we
daily witness business and social intercourse
between these Of the church and those of the
worldSbetween the religious and irrelgious;
a commingling of common interests between
the constituent elements of all the various DO
litical parties which from time to time find
existence in. and excite and agitate commu-
mites. No prescription for opinions sake is
an essential ingredient in sound political
economy, and is the vital support of civil and
religious liberty. But this policy can only
exist where liberation is mutual, and where
the natural instincts of humanity, as distin-
guished from the lower order of the animal
creation, are unperverted aud cultivated
Where there is an unrestrained and iiceutious
abuse of power-illegally obtained-by the
few to the prejudice of the many where the
finer sensibilities are sunken and the coarser
instincts of mans nature are fully developed,
society loses its equipoise, and men find posi-
ton and place, who are scarcely one remove
In advance of the brute creation
And to this very condition of things are
we tending at present Three men in Jeffer-
son county, sit in judgment upon the politi>
cal rights of nearly t,oo thousand t7eemen-
OF this ttCo thousand, three hundred and Sic
freight are allowed voice in the selection
of their magisterial and executive officers,
whilst more than fifteen hundred are stripped
of the privileges of the elective franchise, and
made hewers of wood and drawers of water
for the support of the irresponsible and in
competent, the coarse and indecent pigmics,
who are raked up from political cess-pools
and elevated to places of emolument and trust
Under the plumage of patriotisne-which Dr.
johnson defines as the last refuge of scoun-
drel,-and the cloak of "loydIty," which
had its motive power in selfinterest entirely
these human hyenas arc licensed to prey
upon the body polite, and to extort revenue
for the support of governmentwhich merged
into existence through heaps of corruption for
the express qualification of political rascality.
This state of things is likely to continue
for while at least, as there are no adequate
means in the reach of the people Its cor.
rection. The question very naturally sug-
gests- itself, whether the people of the COM
munlty thus outlawed, may not resort to some
means looking to a change of this unnatural
and outrageous condition of affairs. BY con-
certed action, it is within the power of the
masses to retaliate-not By force or violence
but by the adoption of strictly non-inter-
course policy. 1t is useless to talk to the
men who have Perpetrated these outrages.-
Noappeal can penetrate their rhinoceros hides,
and it is humiliating to approach them for
tavors. There is way to treat them, how
ever, which will bring into exercise their
meagre reasoning faculties, and cause them
to pause in their career of prescription and in
tolerance. Let them be thrown upon them>
selves for support, and let every man whom
they have robbed of political rights, refuse to
have any business relations with them
Neither buy nor sell to them. If they offer
you money for your products, decline to trade
with them, but sell to those who are willing
to accord you the privileges of freemen.-
Have no business transactions with any one
who does encourage them. Withhold YOUR
support or countenance from any man who
will rent them land or employ them in any
capacity. Eschew all social Intercourse with
them. They are not fit to bs eonsidefed as
good members of society. They have been
guilty of an act which should stamp them as
Infamous in the eyes of all honorable men,
4hey deserve no countenance or encourages
ment at your hands. The vote cast by them
on the 4th Thursday in May, to prevent YOU
from ever exercising your rights as freemen,
proves that they have no feeling of sympathy
Tor you, and is evidence sufficient that thew
would crush you if they could. Let them
feel the smart of the lash which thew have
prepared to scourge you.