The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1868-12-21
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
GRAFTON.

which had lain dormant during the war,
aroused itself and sought aimi;taacc at
our doors-immigrants sought our fertile
valleys for places TO build up homes for
themselves and theit c!liIdrel-otLcr States
sent us crowds of their citizens 10 seek il
our more sparcely settled country, that
competency and happiness which was ur-
attainable at home. Our hills resounded
10 the echo Of the woodmars axc-busI-
ness Observation-Disclosures were es.
tablised-railroads Chartered orpor1.
tons for the Improvement of our rivers
sprang into existence, and even the bow
els of the earth were searched for their
hidden treasures OF Iron, Coal, Oil and
other minerals. The era of prosperity
wasjGst dawning-OuT peorle-harrassed
BY the war, were beginning 10 take heart
and repair the ravages Of the late strug-
gle-moloy was plen;y~Iands in demand
and plenty was universal throughout our
borders.
Just at this time, the party in power
became aware, for the FIRST time, that in
order 10 maintain in their hands, tao
rcins of government, it vas necessary 10
disfranchise their political oPponents-
Then commenced a series OF proscriptiye
legislation uncqua!ei in the history Of
any country. Test Oaths were enacted
for Lawyers, Teachers. Suitors, Execu-
tors, Administrators, Voters, Officers,
Jurymcn, Guardians, aud in fact, for al
most every individual. Unconstitutional
enuc;men:s were forced Upon the people
BY the aid Of these Test Oaths illegally
required. and when they dared to mug
muir, the strong hand OF tie military vas
called in to put down the Rebellion"
And what is the result after three years
of this rule!
immigration flies from US as the night
before the rising suu~Capital, tue most
sensitive, as well as the most timid of all
things, has drawn bael; and sought in
vestment in other and happier lands where
it can employ itself without fsar-mana-
factories have ceased 10 exist almost cE-
tirc!y-min!ng is susfcodvd--our railroad
schemes have proved internal
improvements languisL-bu.iucss pros.
,rate--palc-iaccd want, g:im, gaunt and
hollow-cyedstarcs our people in the face
and they arc leaving tic hcarthstones Of
their fathers, and seeking in other lands
that liberty of freedom, of speech and OF
property which is here denied them
Poverty instead Of wcath-decrease il
stead ofircrcase of observation-disclosures
and hate instead of peace and plea:ant-
ness-yenialiIy and corruption instead Of
honesty and iruth-moun,ains of taxa
ton, TO support useless horde Of officers,
INSTEAD of legitimate purpOscs-thcsc are
the fruits Of three years of radical rule
The parkersburg Times, which is tie
most extreme organ Of .hc radical party
in this State, recognizes the evil affects
which we have thus attempted to get
forth. in recent number, it says:
SIC observe with regre. that some Of
our best citizens are seriously preparing
10 leave our city and State. What the
cause Of i: is, can DC easily imagined.
Verify, if we do not awake soon and Go
dot exert ourselves TO give healthy basis
to our trade, establish manuEac:orics and
develop our resources, the time is not
distant when a large portion Of our citi.
zens will seek regions for their settlement
where the people a:c nti>Ling things
The present stasnancy 10 all branches of
business auL ouf Indifference does not hold
out inducements to anybody 10 seek u
home among US
Can it be wondered at tina: people wish
to leave State where they have none Of
the privileges to which by the law Ofna-
lure and Of natures God they are cn!i-
tied ? $1,000 men in this State cannot
collect dollar that is owing thcm--they
cannot yotc--they cannot hold Office
they cannot 81: on a jury-thcy cannot
teach schocl-thoy cannot practice their
profession il they are lawyars:ihcy can
no; fulfill the wishes Of u dying relative
By becoming his executor or admiaistra-
tor, or the guardian Of bis children. We
would that the Tires had rolly sorrow
even unto repentance. for having aided 20
! bring about the laIEcntable state Of things
i, now Gcprccatcs, and that it would use
its efforts TO break down the system Of
prescription which is running all alike.
| But the Times is more honest than thc
rest, and it admits, i'apkly that eve are
driving our citacus from the State. 1t
say.:
ut is apparent that the world is mo.
wing in il, usual way :, there are no
changes: crime, scouudrclism, liypocri-
sy end immortality are Folding titci' un-
! hi.nnlch,smnv ms hrrrtnfnrc. We sill