Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-06-20
who Can and who o ught to Register

There is an evident design, on the part
of the would be leaders of the radical fac
ton in this State, to prevent all others than
the small class who term themselves nun-
conditional union mon'' registering under
the late acts of Congress those acts and
Gen. Schofeld's orders to the contrary.
notwithstanding. Some Of the wisest and
most sagacious among them with whom
wisdom will die, one Of these days, and
we shall call be left darkling, y have made
the astounding discovery, that those dis
franchised by the Alexandria constitution.
which includes all who espoused the cause
OF the South in the late struggle, have not
been restored to their rights by the action
the Legislature, for the reason, thew say.
that the Legislature was composed of dis
loyal men, who had no right to act. IF these
statesmen are correct in this opinion, why
did not Gen. Schofeld enumerate this with
the other disabilities named in his order
upon the subject, published last week p
Could not these astute gentlemen enligLt-
en- his benighted understanding? Surely,
if ne had taken that view of the subject.
he would have embodied it in his instruc-
lions to the registrars Gen. Schofelds
silence upon the subject, we take it, is a
tacit admission of the right of the Legis-
lature IN removing the disabilities impos-
ed by the Alexandria constitution. Then
let no one be deceived by any such specious
argument. The validity of the action of
the Legislature, not inconsistent with the
acts of Congress, has been admitted by
all competent authority
With but few exceptions, we believe. it
is conceded that all may register except
those who, before the war, had taken the
oath to support the Constitution of the
United States and afterwards participated
in the rebellion. Any soldier, who never
took. such oath, or held any civil Office
under the Confederate Government, or
the Government of any Southern State.
has right to register as a voter There
can be no reasonable doubt upon this sub
ject.
There are many cogent reasons why ev-
cry mapewho can, under the acts of Con-
gress, register, should Do So First, if
they should fail to register, it will be ac-
cepted by our radical task-masters as evil
dence of 'Fdisloyalty," and furnish pre-
text, IN the language of Mr.. Wade, for
giving s'the screw another turn" upon US
Secondly, it must be remembered that
representation IN the State Conaentioa aciU
be af0o'tioned according to the number of
roters registered al each county, This will
increase the number of representatives in
those counties where the negro population
predominates, and decrease the number in
those counties where the whites are most
numerous; and this may give the former
the control Of the Convention. In the
third place, however repugnant it may be
to our feelings, every man should consider
that he is not acting for himself alone, but
for his posterity; that it, by his criminal
derellctlon Of duty in this respect he per.
mlts the government of the State to pass
into the hands of the miserable demaeo-
CUES who are foremost in the scramble for
Office, he will have incurred a most fearful
responsibility. Give these fanotics the
power, and the present generation will not
live to see the end of the evils resulting
from their madness and folly.
We would advise every man, who has
the right, to register, and, if suitable can
dldatcs are presented, to vote for members
OF the Convention. It is not only right
but it is the duty of every man to act with
reference to the future good of the commu-
nifty.
In addition to the reasons above given,
there is at least one other reason why eve
ny man who can should register and vote.
1t is an undeniable fact, known to sbery
Intelligent man, that nine-tcnths of the ra-
dical party in the South are in favor of con-
fscatiug the property Of the rebels and d.
viding it among the negroes. The princi-
pal speakers at the late convention in
Richmond, boldly advocated confscation.
Permit them to get into power through
the apathy of those who may register, and
they will send men to Congress who will
aid old Thad. Stevens in concentrating
his Infamous confscation scheme. This
is no creature Of imagination, gotten up to
frighten old women and timid men, but
sober reality. Let the incredulous remem-
hnr that o11r opprnScnrc can &c concicfant