Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-05-12

distinct classes, with mutuallY Dos'he
feelings, and anlagonisiic interests the
one class, usurpers and oppressors. the
other the defrsuded and oppressed-the
one enscling The laws. administering the
( Government. and rioling in the spois-the
other crushed with taxation 10 pay the ex-
pense. Those who shall thus be wrong
ed, will look, and justly too, upon The
dominant party, and al who support it. as
their enemies, who seek their disgrace
and ruin. Social intercourse between
these classes will cease. and business re-
lations, as far as possible, will be dlssolv.
ed and terminated. Nor could any one
Justly find fault at these results. The
man who should aid in perpe,rsIng such
an outrage npon the rights of his fellow
citizens, as the one proposed in the pend
ing amendment 10 The Constitution OF this
State, would justly be regarded by The
subject Of his injustice and wrong, as his
malignant enemy, and if he had The spirit
of a man would treat him as such.
1t is easy to see al g lance that the
adoption of such measure would be ru-
inous 10 the prosperity of the State.
These men will be compelled, in order TO
enjoy the rights which are dear to every
American citizen, 10 remove into other
States where wiser policy is pursued
and where after a short residence, they
may become citizens. But can west
Virginia afford 10 drive out twenty thous-
and men from her already sparse popula.
ZION, and suffer no loss Bear IN mind
that this amendment excludes from clIl-
zenship not only those who have been en-
gagged in actual service 10 the rebel army.
but all who give "aid or assistance OF
any kind TO the rebellion. Whoever vol
UNFAIRLY gave morsel of food or an sr'i-
Gle of cIohing TO soldier in active ser
vice in the Confederate army is held by
The friends OF this amendment 10 have
given aid 10 the rebellion. j. may thus
be seen that the class o! persons whom II
is proposed TO dlsirsnchise and ALLEVIATE
is much larger than The number OF those
WHO served in the rebel army. and IT is
even probable tba, il erceeds twenty
thousand persons. The tendency Of this
amendment will be TO drive all these ciiI'
zens beyond the borders Of the State.
But, suppose they remain in Wes, Vlr'
ginis, will they be prosperous or pr"hl'
able class of residents Whist inleres
will they have in building up the wealth,
and developing the resources, and labor
ling for the welfare of that State from al
of whose privileges they ere debsrred
What will they care for the honor or the
perpe,miry of The new State What mo-
tive will they have for sustaining The ne "
government Does il not look as though
the advocates Of this suicidal policy were
striving to make these men bitter and re-
Ilenless enemies of the State Now.
what is 10 be gained by this course, what Is
the advantage for which We are ssked 10
pay go high a price Absolutely moth
ing-except The continued domination oi
such men as composed The majority in
the Legislature last winter.
The truth is, the very principle of cIs'
franchisemenl for political odenses is fatal
TO republican institutions aud popular
liberty. Il isa dangerous INSTRUMENT 10
use. lis employment once becomes
precedent to justify lis use again. and iis
tendency is inevitably towards monarchy.
The first step in thai direction ~ tie one
mos, 10 he dreaded. Af'er lie f st stride.
the other steps on the road 10 desp0ilsm
will be taken win rapidly increasing
ease and spe, d. We must avoid The be.
ginning Of this downward course, If we
wish 10 retain either the name or puvII.
eees Of freemen. An sbridgement Of the
rights of any portion Of our citizens lie
luIl Of danger TO the liberty OF all.
If we consent to the disfranchlsenent
Of one class of our citizens. other dis
franchisemenrs will speedily follow.
Pretexts jus, as specious as those now
employ ed by the radicals will be found
or made. and no mans liberty will be
safe. The spirit OF radiesIl'm is simply
an insaiiable thirst for power. Every
concession is folInwedby fresh demands.
/ Ii is more exactng in this State to-day
than il was one year ago. and nexl year
| il will ask more tnan II does now. OuI
only safety con-isisin crushing the mon
ster al once and declaring tnsi the repUb'
Iicsn principle shalI remain inrl"lste. The
liberties of The people shall be preserved.
A wife Wanted.
Somebody who wants a wife. publish
es the following advertisement 10 a 81.
Louis paper.
Hanted.-I have lived solllsry long
enough. want some one 10 islk al.
Quarrel with, :hen kiss and make up
again. Therefore. am ready 20 receive