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


more than that, / wish every member OF
this House to understand my position.
have spoken much longer than 1
intended, but the Importance OF the
question and the results arising from
il, have grown upon my hands, and
have Ieltit my duty to defend the Dill
to the best of my ability.
Mr.. Riddle also argued in favor ofthe
bill, contending that as to the con stitu-
tional points presented, we We're NOT
to confine our view to few words
taken from that instrument, but must
look at the whole, and he believed the
present law in accordance with the
whole constitution The rebels paid no
attention to constitutions and we must
fight the devil with fire, and he thought
it Wonld be well that those who argued
in favor OF the full and free forgiveness
of rebels should read the 109th Psalm,
beginning at the 9Th verse. Before
sinner obtained pardon of God, he must
repent, and certainly rebel should ask
no privileges until he at least should re-
pent. So far he saw no signs of their
repentance.
Mr. Kellar said he was neither
preacher nor the son of a preacher, and
he thanked God for it, ITO be apreach-
er he must preach the doctrine OF the
reverend gentlemen in this House.
| (AIessrs. Trainer and Riddle.l
He would commend to their attention
some other commands OF Scripture. Ii
your brother have aught against you,
ffay down your sacrifice, go and be
reconciled to him, then offer your sac
rifice and God will accept 1t. The argu-
ment of the gentleman from Rltcnie
/ [Mr. Riddlel amounted TO this: that II
| we can't do it in the Constitution weIl
| do It out of the Constitution. There
seem to be rebels in 1856 as well as in
jls6l, for the men who to-day refuse TO
ISupport the Constitution are as mnch
rebels as those who refused to support
It in 1851. And gentlemen who have
argued in favor OF this measure nave
ms much as possible avoided discussing
its constitutionality. They have touch
ed very lightly on it.
Mr.. Trafner-.sWhat in the Constitu
ton forbids it ~
Mr.. Kellar-"well, you sit down and
be quiet a minute, and I'll tell you:'
Mr.. KaIlar objected TO the bill be-
cause 1t was contrary to those provisions
of the constitution defining the qualiti-
cations OF voters, permitting conviction
OF treason only on trial by jury, and
forbiddiug that men should be held 10
answer for treason except on present.
ment or Indictment by grand jury. Mr..
Kellar thought the preachers had made
u bad use of the offices vacated by rebels,
by getting into them themselves. Re-
| ferrfng to the remarks of Mr., Riddle, he
asked whether the Lord, when pardon
ing sinner, required test oath or
Imposed registry law. Mr.. kellar
| concluded by commencing that provis-
| ion in theconstitution of Virginia which
kept preachers out of the Legislature,
as they are the most bigoted, heartless
and obstinate OF men in the legislation
they propose.
Mr.. Darnel said that he had hitherto
supposed himself in the West Virginia
l Legislature, but now discovered that he
was in theological seminary. BE was
\ making the last speech he expected TO
make as free man, If this bill passed.
/ It would transfer the elective franchise
/ from the people to the Governor. Why
was not the power OF registering voters
| given to the Board of Supervisors, VINO
might be expected to know the best
men in their county? Mr.. Darnel re-
4 ferred to the history of proscriptive leg
islation and test oaths in the United
States Government. The alien and Sc
dition law in the administration OF the
elder Adams, the test oaths imposed by
Kansas border ruffians, the proscrip-
1 tive policy of the Southern States had
all resulted in the political overthrow
i of their authors, and SO it Will be now.
He contended that it was unconstitu-
tionaI and inexpedient. The Metho-
lidists in the next Legislature might as
properly disfranchise the Baptists OF
the State, as that this Legislature
should adopt the measure now propos-
ed.
i Mr.. Carroll recited the cruelties per-
petrated by rebels in tho southern part
II OF the State, and the legislation of the
restored government Virginia expatria-
ting rebels. He combated the notion
that the measure before the House is an
er post Jdcto law.
Mr.. Bee made a long and able argu-
ment in favor Of the bill. He reviewed
the history of the Democratic party,
holding it responsible for the trouble
that has befallen the country. He was
, fearful that the laurels won by the gem
tlemen from Tyler and Mason, Colonel
johnson and Captain Darnel, in bat
, Ting against the rebels, would, If they
persisted In, their present course, wither
: into Southern willows. The argument
was used that this measure would de-
populate the State. 1t would not drive
away loyal citizens, and the more rebels
1t drove away the better. 1t would be
good thingif 1t would drive away the
editors OF the rebel sheet in this city.
} II rebels obtained the power here they
would act just as they have in the gov
. eminent of Virginia. He had, voted
/, against allowing negroes to- testify, he
{ would have voted against allowing
t them to vote, but he must say that he
: considered the negro who had fought
: for. his country more entitled to vote
1 than the traitor who had fought against
v it. Mr.. Bee continued, at length, elicit
1 ing, by the earnestnesS of his speech
: the evident approval and occasional
] applause of his hearers.
8 Mr. Cunningham objected to the re-
;, mark which had likened This hall to q
r theological seminary, coming as it did
!, from the men and the party who had
o introduced the bible and religion into
1 this controversy, and into late con-
r troverSy which has SO lately shaken this
: nation. The bible was brought to prove
= the divinity Of slavery, as we have
read of scripture quoted by the devil.
r He knew it was hard for rebels tostand
: out in the cold and shiYer, but who put
]. them there2
i Mr.. Higgins considered the constitu-
v tional questions involved, and held that
s the law according to the definition CIV
y en- even by its enemies, was not er post
D fdeto. 1t did not impose punishment.
He thought the law necessary for the
/ rebels themselves, who in this matter
: had shown themselves of unsound
{ mind and unable to take charge of the
J, affairs. of State. This law would save
! them from repeating their efforts at self
: destruction.
: Mr.. Maxwell spoke against the bill,
]. directing his argument to the constitu-
tional question. Adopting the language
r of thegentleman from Richie, he would
. call the Constitution covenant. 1t
was n covenant between the people of
the State, aud this conflict was not be-
J tweenUnion menand rebels, radicals and
: conservatives, but between the friends
: OF the Constitution of this State and its
/ enemies. He referred to the following
/ provisions. of the Constitution among
others: sta
"The powers of government reside in