Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-01-30

fit to enact. They have hoped and believed
that that oath having been adopted as war
measure, would be repealed Immediately upon
the expiration of the circumstances that gave
it birth, for it is sound maxim of civil law that
"Rattone cessd,,te, cessat Lee. Some of our
people who have in various ways during the
progress of the war rendered aid and comfort to
the Southern cause, have taken the test oath
under what humbly conceive to be misap-
prehension of its meaning. It has been con-
strued to relate only to acts done since the pas
sage of the law, and it has also been held that
it applies only to persons who were in favor of
secession prior to the passage of the ordinance
by the State of Virginia and it is claimed that
from and after that time all citizens within the
Confederate lines were under duress and their
actions were not voluntary. But do not so
understand the terms of the oath and not sin
gle man Ia my knowledge with but one excep-
ton, has taken the oath understanding it in the
correct and manifest meaning Of Its language.
| regard all attempt to explain away it's provis-
ions in the manner [ have spoken of as fraught
with evil consequences. 1t diminishes proper
respect for the highest obligations that can be
assumed and debauches and debases the con-
sciences of those pursuing such course.
It seems to me that a fair consideration of the
condition Of those counties composing the 9th
district, at least of Greenbrier, Monroe and Po-
cahontas, would lead to different policy to-
wards them. Their interests, their associations,
and commercial relations have all been with
| Virginia. During the war they were necessari-
ly attached to that State and all the time within
the Confederate lines. They have been incor-
porated into the State of West Virginia without
ever having been consulted and without even at
the time knowing it. They have never had an
opportunity Of exercising the right accorded to
them by the Ordinance Of the Convention of
1861 of voting for or against the new State, and
in fact, up to the termination of the war they
were in ignorance of its boundaries and did not
know whether or not they constituted part of
it. They have been only nominally represented
IN the government and cannot be otherwise I'M
til the law requiring this oath has been repealed
The people OF these counties are now in a
state of doubt and uncertainty as to what is to
be their fate-whether they are to be citizens of
West Virginia in name only and without the
rights and privileges of citizens, Or whether they
are to be allowed fair participation in the gov
ernment through delegates whom they have
chosen and who are in truth representative men,
They know that in the past in the Legislature
OF Virginia, the representatives from the North
West have always in body voted against their
interests and whether a lingering feeling of
hostility towards them still remains, they do not
know; whether their interests are to be ignored
or kindly cared for as identified with THOSE of
I the State, remains to be seen Candor compels
me to say that, from our experience in the or
ganization Of the civil government, our expecta-
tons are not cheering.
When hostllities terminated very considera-
BILE portion of the people in the Western coun-
ties of Virginia preferred to be embraced within
the New State, and we had begun to congratu-
late ourselves that, being in a State which from
It's organization had been considered perfectly
loyal, our condition was indeed enviable But
a change has taken place in the sentiment of
some Of those people. Those in the Valley of
Virginia no longer desire to be citizens of West
Virginia, and it would not be surprising If the
people Of the Western counties of this State are
still allowed to see their neighbors in Virginia
in the enjoyment Of those privileges of which
they have been deprived, if they should evince
a desire to again be embraced within the juris-
diction of Virginia Thus far the people of
i these counties have made no complaint. They
have thought that as so9n as the Legislature
would meet that these laws would be repealed,
and have believed that they never were inten-
ded to apply to them. Hence, in electing Off
GERS they did not in every instance, seek for men
who could take the oath of Office, but voted for
the men of their choice, and those Ehom they
4 supposed would in fact be representatives hay-
/ ing a common interest and common opinions
with themselves, and who could most satisfac-
torily discharge the duties Of their respective
Offices. seL59
The people Of GGreenbrier, Monroe and Poca-
/ hontas have been represented as dlsloyal. The
only evidence of their disloyalty is found in the
fact that the civil government cannot there be
organized without difficulty under the operation
Of the laws to which [ have referred they are
unwilling to commit the crime Of perjury, and
that which should rebound to their honor and
their credit is used to their reproach and held
UP as an evidence Of their turbulence and dis
loyalty. saa ,a5 f EDS
The people of these counties are homogeneous
with the people of Botetourt, Allegheny and
Bath. Their interests, their pursuits, then
character and habits are similar. They occu
pied the same position during the war, and
4 their sentiments and opinions are now identical
and yet no complaint has been heard in Virgin
ia Of the disloyalty Of tEese. people. Then
courts, their elections are held and conducted
tremendously and quietly and satisfactorily te
? the authorities. The difference may be found
in the different policy pursued by their respec
tive State governments.
The view Of the war and its results, enter
tanned In the eastern portion Of this State by
it's candor, correctness and simplicity, commendt
For long series of years, we of the South diff
fered widely with the people of the North as tc
the vexed questions of slavery and the relation
between the. States and the Federal Govern.
ment. All peaceable means of adjustment were
resorted to and failed Conventions, peace con
ferences and Union meetings were all unavail;
ing Even in these assemblages were found
Hearts of fire that brood not long,,
But flash resentment back for wrong"
At last the controversy was referred to that
tribunal from whose decision there is no appeal
to the tribunal Of war-tlhe arhitrament Of the
sword After four years of war, illustrating the
fu rao and he
patience and endurance of the people on both
sides to degree almost unparalleled in the his
tory of wars and revolutions, the decision was
rendered against u.s. We accept it and intend
in good faith to abide by it. Slavery no longer
exists, and the doctrine of secession has been
finally exploded and we are in duty, in homo,
and in interest bound never again to attempt tc
revive the ONE Or carp ae9ot e the he. other We
into tho DaSf''-sSit Is pona fnravar' - laavip q