The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-02-02

cIaim;np that he is with Congress in its
policy but there are many daily indica-
,;onst 70 give the denial to all this. But
Ter, however, does not chime in this eulogy
Of Grant. TINoN.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
Ncus from the O0tpOsts = Radical
West Virginia.
SurPHERpsTowN, JEFFERSON Co., Va,
January 20, 1867.
Since we have been so unceremoniously
transferred to West Virginia but few if
any Virginia papers ever find their way
here. and for fear We may be entirely for
gotten by your readers, we propose to Keep
their memories alive by few items from
this ill-starred land and Independent
Republic" Of WEsT Virginia. The South
has been taught by hard knocks to yield to
the opinion that State sovereignty is among
the shave beens"; but if any one will
read the late decision of the Court of Ap.
peals Of West Virgina-on the "test OATH"
in which it attempts to reUerSe the decision
of a higher CORTLAND practically does so
far as we are concerned-and will peruse
the proceedings Of her Legislature, he will
be thoroughly convinced that West Vir-
gnia sets herself up in opposition to the
Constitution and Supreme Court, and con-
siders herself entirely Independent of the
United States, and can disregard her laws
with mpunity. An ex-Judge said in open
court that Congress and the Supreme
Court had nothing to do with West Eir-
ginia-that she was as free, sovereign, and
Independent as the United States herself.
Had this been said in Virginia it would
have been foul treason here it is regard
cd as the highest style Of loyalty when said
by Radical.
Many have been the changes since we
were torn from the old Commonwealth, to
which we still cling with fond affection.
We no longer have magistrate courts. 1t
is now board of supervisors" We
have no more clerk, but recorder. a
single magistrate has now the power of our
old magistrate courts, and the way they
edo up" law and equity makes us sigh for
the good old times,'' and wonder at the
impudcnce and ignorance of those who ad-
minister State affairs under Radical mis-
rule and oppression.
1t is not enough that State laws Cypress,
rob, and grind us to powder but the OFF,
Gals who carry them out administer them
tiops. For sOuthcrner or southern SYM
pathizer to expect anything like justice at
the hands of the magistracy or judiciary
is hoping against hope. One might as well
expect 10 see the heavens fall. Men have
been chosen TO Office not from any fitness,
but from their hatred of the President,
their opposition to law and order, and dis
like to conservatism.
What is law to-day is not law to-mor-
row il it conflicts with radcalism. They
cCnStrne laws TO suit their own interests.
Ia order that the Legislature might reject
Mr.. Yantis, the conservative member from
this county, they counted the very polls
that had been rejected by the board OF
supervisors in this county in order to
elect the Radical county officers. TO
evade, too, a constitutional enactment In
regard to eligibility OF sheriffs, the judge
in this district decided that the enactment
in the West Virginia Constitution did not
apply to Berkeley and Jefferson counties
at the former election for sheriff Whlch
would disqualify the Radical elect ior the
Office.
Our nudge, E. B. Hall, you remember
was a member of the Secession ConVen-
ton. and remained in Richmond after the
massage of thu ordinance, taking part In
The proceedings; voted for Messrs. RiveS
and Camden for the Confederate Congress
at Montgomery voted to put Virginia on
better war footing; voted for General
Lee as commander OF the Virginia forces,
and voted to turn these over to the Con-
federate Government and yet he swears
he never aided or Allotted, ETC., any Co.
vernment, etc.
The senator from this district was en-
gagged during the war in smuggling
whisky and other goods to the rebels,
and while revenue officer gave permits to
known rebels to buy goods aud carry
them through the lines; yet he took the
iron-clad oath, though it must be said he
always ran away when any Confederate
soldiers visited this region, and on one oc-
casion was seen making for the "other side
Of Jordan with his w.ie's unmentionables
on, which he had seized in his haste.
The delegate, too, from this county, sold,
by contract, corn, hay, and bacon to the
rebel government, and hauled them twenty
two miles TO deliver them, and would have
continued to do so if the money had kept
good yet he has taken the iron-clad oath.
One of our magistrates made boots and
shoes all through the war for rebel
soldiers, and on one occasion shout
dered his musket to prevent the Yam
KEGS from capturing wagon carrying
provisions to rebel soldiers; yet he has
taken the iron clad oath. Yet these are
the men that voted 10 deprive honest
men Of citizenship, of the franchise, of the
right to collect money due them, to serve
as guardians, fiduciaries, and adminstra-
tors. The courts are instruments by which
bad men conliscate and steal the property
OF honest men under the name Of "tres-
pass suits" Already have many of our
best men felt the power Of Radical hatred,
and many more will be made to suffer un-
less We can get back to Virginia. ooh !.
Garry me Back to Old Virginia |" is glad
refrain among us oppressed people. We
have no remedy save in return to the
old Commonwealth. The iuries we have
are Of the Underwood stamp. The whole
Radical camp are down on us like hungry
wolves. They know that they are thriy
ing through injustice, and dread the dav
when reason can again have her SWAY. I'm,
We live ia hope, and look with anxious ewes
to the day when we can again come under
the proud @gis Of Virginia-Sic semner
trannis.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dtspatch.