The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-01-09

I your Executive OOmullttce DC ul-
rected to put it in operation at
once. 1t is clear that by rigid ad-
herence to the plan herewith pro-
posed, we will be unable to poll
our entire strength, and without some
such, method concerted and effective
action cannot be had. We close with
the declaration that with proper gener-
al effort we see no reason to doubt the
ultimate success of the organization
thus proposed. a. IN ..... .... .......
The. same gentleman, from. the same
committee, reported the following as
the address Of the Convention to the
people of West Virginia
To the People Of Uest Virginia -
We invite your attention to a re-
view of THE GENERAL POLITICAL SIT
UATIoN, ITS EVILS AND THEIR REMEDY.
Since 1861, the harmony of this nation
has been sadly disturbed. For four
years of the intervening time, the inter
ruptions of peaceful relations was due
to a state of war. The practical dis
union existing since 1866 is referable to
a course of Congressional action, wick
ed in motive, illegal in character and
ruinsns in result. r. .
While the war for the Union was in
progress, its successful issue was antic-
ipated as the guarantee of prompt re-
union and permanent peace. Such
consummation was the aim of patriotic
effort in the field, tie object of solemn
pledges in the Halls of Congress, and the
confident expectation of the masses of
the people.
The war has long since ended. The
rebellion has long since been crushed.
Every obstacle placed by the Southern
movement in the way of the nations
unity, has long since been removed.
Nevertheless, disappointment waits
upon the peoples wish. The pledges of
Congress have been repudiated. The
triumphs of our armies have been nu-
tralized, and the purposes of the brave
men who secured them have been shame
fully defeated.
A dissolution more disastrous than
that now existing between the South
ern States and the Federal Government,
could scarcely have been brought about
by the success of the rebellion.
A condition of affairs so much at vari
ance with the wishes and interest of the
people of our entire country, demands
reference of the acts and aims of those
who produced it.
CONGRESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION.
For more than two years the South
ern States have desired to renew their
old relations to the Government.
Congress has constantly prevented
that resumption.
They are entitled to be restored upon
the basis of the Federal Constitution.
Congress has confessedly thrown aside
that instrument and Obstructed restO-
ration with terms and conditions of its
own prescribing.
Affecting to desire the perpetuity Of
the Republic, it has made deadly as
sault upon Republican institutions.
Protesting to aim at the salvation Of
the Union, it has wrought the destruc-
ton of ten Of the States.
The right of each State to regulate
its own internal affairs, enfranchlse its
own voters aud choose its own rulers
and lawmakers, is as sacred as our Con-
stitution and as indestruCtible as our
Government.
Without it, Republican liberty is
worthless, for when the people cease to
be free as citizens Of the States, they
become the subjects of unlimited and
irresponsible Federal power.
When Congress abolished the local
Governments of the South, it violated
a vital principle of onr system.
When 1t Erected military establish
: tments in their stead, it introduced the
most abominable feature of despOtisIn.
In further pursuance of its purposes,
Congress has thrown the political power
of the South into negro hands.
To assure this result, it has disfran-
chised the white population by hum
dreds of thousands.
Enfranchising the blacks, it has made
voters of the ignorant, the vicious, and
the brutal; legislators of those who re.
gard liberty as license, and law as the
instrument Of revenge, and rulers Of a
class whose ideas of government, like
their notions Of religion, tend directly
and inevitably to barbarism.
MILITARY GOVERNMENT AND ITS RE-
SUITS.
Hav ing given the negro the right to
vote and the power to rule, Congress
, cOnfesses his incOmpetency for either
by insisting that the bayOnet of the
soldier, the disfranchIsement of the cit
izen, and the supervision of the Freed
mems Bureau are necessary TO sustain
him in his new relations.
By such declarations, the dominant
party would justify the continuance Of
the Military DRspOtism erected within
: the Southern States.
Before we sanction this iniqnity, let
4 examine its results.
1t found Civil Governments in sue
cessful operation; it abolished those
Governments aud made the will of
Brigadier Generals supreme for all pur-
pose.
Southern elections are ordered, super
vised and approved or set aside, by Dis
trict Commanders,
Southern justice is what the bayonet
may provide.
Southern law is what the sword may
decree.
Southern peace is the patient sub
mission of conquered people, peace
threatened by impending negro insur-
rections which white seditiODists are
melting, and liable at any moment to
disappear before the terrible tumult Of
social anarchy.
The Military Governments found busi-
ness reviYing and enterprise struggling
to repair the rayages of the war.
They abolished labor, and offered
army rations as premium on negro
idleneBs.
The country ceased to produce and
trade and commerce with other sections
perished.
Capital left land which promised
soon to be given over to confseatiOn.
General poverty followed the encour.
aged Incidence of the laboring classes.
I, Actual and almost universal destitu-
tion exists among the people; the I'M
happy victims of Congressional cruelty
must become pensioners upon national
charity OF perish from starvation.
Hordes Of thriftless and discontented
negroes, passionate almost to brutality,
induced to vice by idleness, melted TO
violence by evil ceHnsellOrs, fed and
pampered at the public cost, with
great army for their protection, roam at
will throughout the land upon mission
of evil, carrying dismay to the hearts Of
helplessness and innocence, and shock