The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-01-29
i. F.sIFs yi,Se1d ESQ

1Edtitore IIttettlg ellcer.,
The Attafnayas Test Oath was pre-
seFtbed by the Legislature for the pat
r1otic purpose of protecting the State
nom the evil influences of a class of
men who did more than any other class
to plant the seedsand foster the growth
OF disloyalty in this State. It was an
act OF self-protection. Public policy de.
manded that those who had been most
actIVe and influential in intoxicating
disloya! sentiments among the people,
should be prevented, as far as possible.
from again exercising their balefnl in
huence against the integrity of the
State. On this ground alone the law "A
1ustthable, and 1t should never he re-!
pealed while there is single lawyer in
the state who denonnces the State as
bogus, or adheres to the tslost cause. % /
But strsI the case of Mr.. A. r.. Hay
mond Is an exceptional one. His whole
course since his return from the rebel
army has been one OF quiet and deferen.
tai submlssion to the laws of the State.
he has not publicly, nor even private
", so far as I know, denounced the
State as illegitimate nor complained
taat the acknowledgements and disqual-
unjust. Indeed, he is understood to
regard all the restrictions our laws
place upon those engaged in rebellion
as exceedingly mild and gentle come
pared with the acknowledgements "a.
Rionage and contributions whichisthe
Union men of this State would have
snhered had the rebellion succeeded.
Unlike most of the rebel lawyers who
have returned to their homes and saeIs
10 practice, Mr.. Raymond does NOT fle.
sire 20 obtain the privilege through
political revolution. He has not add
ed Dy "countehancing or encouragement
the organization of the so called con-
sentative party; but he comes manfullv
before q Radical Legislature and. con.
tesstng his errors in the past. asks tina.
privilege OF supporting himself and
family by being again allowed to orac-
tice his profession. II is this feature in
the cqse which should commend him
most to the favorable consideration ~
the Legislature. II he were def
ant unrepentant, and sought To re-.
store the old order of things by the
overthrow of the Union party, your
correspondent would be the last man
TO recommend the passage of q special
act for his benefit. But such IL moi f5e
cases and 4 feel assured that II Mr.. HRY-
monn be peFnitked 70 practice, he viii
not be SO nnFrltet III Z - to iftffflyIIi,yl-
pol Teal influence he may acquire
aga INST TIE 4tepu biiean party. : = - s
Th9 objection may be urged that the
passage OF special act Tor Mr.. Hay
mond would be q bad precedent; that
others less worthy would soon apply
for the same privilege. Very we'll let
them apply. but Judge their cases as
you do Mr. HaYmond's-b the testi-
mony only of unquestionably loyal
men A little reflection am sure viii
satisfy any one that insteQd OF its being
bad precedent It win be a good one.
II viii appropriately. answer the cop
perhead charge that the Republican
party Is proscrlptIve and intolernnt;
whereas it Is really the party Of hns
u1Rnity, Of Justice, and OF equal
rights TO all loyal citizens and.
even TO those who have BEEN
dlsioYal, but have afforded afns
pie evidence of their Ghvgillinrnesa
10 accept in good faith the situation 81
affairs under the new era. Let eyerv
applicant.s case be Judged upon Its
merits aud the testimony or loVal man
only. and apprehend there win IS No
mistakes made. The persistently SiiE-
loyal viii not apply, because they cam
not obtain recommendations rom
prominent Union men.
soF the reasons above named, and
others which I have not now time -
present, hope the Legislature TTfIi
grant Mr.. Raymond the PRIVILEGE 70
practice in the Circuit Courts 81 the
BarmoAt, Jan. q :. \ BOYD