The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-22
ADDRESS 10 THE
PEOPLE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
TO the People Of Vest Virginia:

A number of citizens from almost ev-
cry section of the State met at Wheeling
on the first of this month to consult to-
gether about the best means of preserv-
ing the rights and liberties ofthemselves
and their felloW-citizens; and after
adopting the resolutions which we re-
publish herewith, requested us on their
behalf to address you on the questions
that are now agitating the public mind
in West Virginia.
Freedom of speach and of the press is
guaranteed to US by the constitution of
the United States and of West Virginia.
We have the right to examine and dis
cuss the acts of our rulers, and if we suf-
fer ourselves to be deprived of this right,
the pretence of liberty becomes a mere
mockery. It is true our legislature has
told us that we must not question the
constitutionality of their measures, but
we propose to exercise this privilege
Notwithstanding the prohibition and if,
by doing so we incur the penalties that
have been threatened we must rely up
on the Constitution for our protection
We are aware that to appeal to that in
strument is regarded in certain quarters,
as proof Of disloyalty. We may incur
this reproach, but it cannot come from
our legislators, our executive or the offi
GERS of the State, who have sworn to
support the constitution to which we
would appeal. 1t is said, too, in high
quarters that "rebels and rebel sympa-
thizers" are now the most devoted
friends of the constitution, and the most
boisterous defenders of the integrity of
the new State. BE it so-we congratu-
late them upon their conversion. We
will still, however, venture to support
both the constitution and the integrity
of the State Of West Virginia. These
words, rebelsand rebel sympathizers,"
have been abused by selfish and malig-
nant men until they have lost their
charm. They have been so often used as
the pretext, or cheap defence, for mi
quitous and oppressive measures, that
we can no longer be deceived and in
fiuenced by them. The people, in ev.
cry section of the State, have learned
that it is not every one who cries aloud
against rebels and rebel sympathizers
that is an honest man, or worthy of the
public confidence; and we believe that
they will maintain both the new State
and the constitution, Notwithstanding
any use that may be made of such
phrases. The new State is their work,
and though it may have fallen for Il
time into evil hands, they will not ADAM
don it. In fact it is too firmly establish
ed to he any longer 81 proper subject OF
discussion. Its existence is beyond the
reach of any political party. 1t has
been recognized by every department. of
the General Government, by the State
of Virginia-from whose jurisdiction it
was separated-and by every State in
the Union with which it has had any
official intercourse. AS we'll might we
dispute the legal existence of the States
of Ohio and Kentucky, because their
territory was once included within the
limits Of Virginia. The constitution is
the great act-not Of the Legislature
but OF the people, They passed it in
1863, by vote of 1921 to 572, or about
fifty to one, and it derives its whole force
and effect from that ratification. We
believe they will require their public
servants to obey it. 1t is the only safe
guard of our liberties-the only means
BY which the weak can be protected
against the injustice OF the strong by
which power can be restrained within