The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-01-25

As our readers are aware, we haNo
uuon many occasions, discouraged the
massage of laws that looked to personal
prescription rather than to the punish
m.nt of crime. We have endeavored
TO show that such laws were unjust, un-
wise, and derogatory to the dignity Of
grave Legislators. We have labored to
prove that they could not accomplish
the purpose to which judicious legisla-
tiou should be directed; that they
afforded no protection to society, and
preyepted the commission of no oifenses;
that they were productive only of strife
and bitterness, and that these would be
intensified in proportion as the Laws
breathed the spirit OF vindictive
hess and revenge. Having here
tofore enunciated these sentiments,
we are not prepared to repress
them now. even To favor the enactment
of measures that would embarrass our
competitors in business, or distress our
opponents in politics. Our opposition
to such legislation has been dictated by
principle, and We are not prepared to
abate il in view of any personal advan-
tage or qualification, that might result
from the adoption of 4 certain PROPOSE
tion now pending in the Legislature Of
West Virginia. We allude, of course,
TO the resolution offered in the House
Oh yesterday hy the pictre'qne dele
gate from Grcenbrier county, Mr.. MANN.
Ii is II proposition to exclude from bu-
siuess all editors and publishers of
newspapers in West Virginia who can
not swear that ''they haze never been
arrested or imprisoned for treason or
other misdemeGnors against the United
States Government" &c, &c.
We presume that this proposed meas
ure is aimed at the editor of the Intel
ligencer, who WAS ut one time arrested by
order of General SIGEL, and at JIMMY
WHARTON, of Parkersburg, who was the
recipient Of similar attentions from
General HUNTER, and should it be
adopted, these gentlemen will undoubt-
edly be shut out from their business.
While we have, as is probably surmised,
but little political utilization with these
representatives of the press who are
about to be victimized, we deem it OBJ
ligatory upon lis to denounee their con-
tcmplated persecution as iniquitous and
outrageous. We disapprove of it from
principle, we oppose it from motives of
consistency, and we condemn it in view
of that fraterpal duty which they
would certainly reciprocate, were the
hand of violence to make similar as
sault upon Us and our rights.
Having learned from experience, with
what promptness and force the former
of these gentlemen is accustomed to
defend the freedom of the pres, when
assailed in the person Of its representa-.
tives, We would certainly be insensible
TO every prompting Of gratitude did VIC
not enter solemn protest against the
uaholy violence now about to be done
him.
The mover of tho resolution in ques-
ton, no doubt, imagines that he is do
ing the country and his party . genuine
service in thus directly assailing the
acknowledged Radical leader in West
yirgiuis. Perhaps he regards the bur-
dens imposed upon the rank and file, by
the task-master of the Intelligence, as
too grevious to be borne, and hence this
mutiny. 1t may be that in the distribu
tioR of duties some have been assigned,
whose performance may lead the per.
former into familiar acquaintance with
Grand Juries-an acquaintance which
has already been found to be more
memorable than desirable-and hence
this outbreak. Perhaps the object OF
his fury deemed it prudent when Fed.
eral office-holder, to possess "a picture
of ANDREW JoHNsoN,"-now an object
of Mr.. MANN's special abhorrence-and
is to be disciplined therefor.
But whatever may be this gentle.
mans motive, he evidently desires to
signalize his advent into the Legisla.
ture, by some exploit which will not be
followed by bench.warrant or legal
presentment. In having, for ssos, sue.
eeeded, he should not forget, that pres.
ent prominence is no oblivion Of past
notoriety, and that each succeeding act
OF oihcious folly win only direct at.
tsnton to record whose resurrection