New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-16
PROsCRIPTIoN OF RKBELs.

The proposition to exclude for four years from
voice in the Federal Government those who were
guilty Of attempting to overthrow that Government
and disrupt the Union, is received with shrieks of
horror by the Copperheads generally. We do not
favor the policy of Acknowledgement, simply because
we deem general reimbursement every way prefer
able but it is fact abundantly established that the
Rebels had they succeeded, would have dsfranchised
the Southern Unionists, not temporarily, but for all
time. This truth does not rest on such testimony as
Gov. Wises alone There il ample confederation
from various quarters.
In February, 1865, the leading Confederates Of
West Virginia issued from Richmond an address ITO
the People Of North Western Virginia. urging them
to take ground for the Southern Confederacy. In
this manifesto, they say:
"TAe North conquer che South. heih0 rW he
South 10 rssoroiion of The Union An inhuman
attempt to ubugate brave free enlightened aud Christian
people BE- forgiven Jorgon,a The atrocities OF
the North in prosecuting this and attempt
between the two countries The separation which was forced
by natcism has been confirmed by crocicus folly Ii not
the South which will have regret the consequences.
'As certainly tho atrocious scheme OF subjugaon is
destined TO fail just 80 certainly VIII every inch Of the sol,
will be conquered all Virginia will be free. by solemn re-
solves the Confederate and State Governments stand pledged
to surrender any part OF the State They viii be
the pledge at oil hazards.
I'VE do address ourselves to those who have eagerly
gagged with the subugate dsnember our
Commonwealth. Thy hare chosen 10 abide TIE ue ~ rdr a.
rAick y hare taken hs traitors Gndhsy rEsf abide oT
you al acted with equal fFnness are graft
fed to believe have tor bteyingl That
large majority Of the citizens II Virginia have
cherished 0va attachment TO the State and nd; sg obhor
aud traitors. We know how to make due allow ance
the orno necessities o. your situation. While some OF us
were allie to retire TO pieces where could serve
Of South several thousand have oined armies IL
IL In - remember that whole community SO great as ours
could not VII draw ino the interior; could they alone
resist 500. their borders Many were ham
peed ~ poverty charged with he care q families or de-
tanec home 10y other obstacles which ecud not be over
Beng PEELED 10 remain. their snbsslOh couiu De
reed by Mere submission to Irresistible cree wiz
Ileiy rh NEVER D. sress,d any e,TosfaHc,
This manifesto is signed by Chas. W. Russell
Robert Johnston, Thomas S. Raymond, Gideon D..
Camden, Joseph Johnson. William l.. Jackson, and
ten other Of the leading Conicdesotes whose homes
were in West Virginia Il proves that, before
Virginia would join the Confedcracy. her rulers
exacted secret but solemn treaty stipulation that
no peace should err be made with tho Union that
did not put loyal West Virginia under tie feet and
subject it TO the vengeance OF the prosavery traitors
east of the mountains. 1t proves moreover, that it
the settled Rebel policy to dsiraDohise and punish
all "youpatry" Uuionists. The tables being turned,
you see, they sing very different tune in 1906 rom
that TO which their pipes pitched in 1868.