The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-01-25
LEwIsBURG, W. Va, January 9 1863.
To the Governor and the Members Of the
Legislature Of West Virginia:

i
Legislature Of West Virginia:
GENTLEMEN: had the honor Of serv'
ing the people of Greenbrier and Mon
roe counties, as a member of the last
Legislature. l suppose there is no one
who will doubt my loyalty, both to the
United States, and the State of West
Virginia. For more than year have
held the position of Township Registrar,
and am q member and President of the
Board of Registration of my county,
| (Greer brier.) So long as any particular
law is upon the statue book, have
honestly endeavsred to carry into effect
its provisions; aud whilst ] may have
doubted the wisdom or policy of some OF
our laws, whilst unrepealed, ara for
their rigid enforcement.
Men, influenced by selfish and corrupt
motives, may disregard the suggestions
contained in this letter, but all honest
men, desiring peace, prosperity, and
happiness, must coucede that the sug-
gestions are worthy of serious consider
alton. Being loyal man, and having
| lived since the war, and for forty years be-
fore, in this country-knowing its peo-
pie well, and having the COED of all in
view, l venture to suggest that the time
has arrived, when some of Cur laws
might be seriously modified.
Some OF the leading traitors in each
community might long since have been
executed, legally and with effect. But
that day has passed. Confiscation is a
remedy which cannot and will not now
be enforced. You have, U mean the
great Republican Union party in the
country,) unloosed the rope from the
traitors neck. Now, l say, let him
make an honest support for himself and
family, or by that trade OF occupation
for which he is best qualified. / greatly
admire a sentiment of Governor Bull
ock, of Massachusetts,, as expressed in
his last inaugural, when he says: "Let
us make amend Of illiberal and unfriendly
legislations and, while compromising no
principle for which we have contended,
let us restore those lately in rebellion,
to equality of rights, rs speedily as is
not inconsistent with the national safe
ty." In this friendly and magnanimous
spirit, believing that neither the State
nor the national safety would be endan-
gered thereby, l would urge upon the
Legislature of our State, soon to con-
vene, the repeal of the Attorneys test
oath, the Suitor's test oath, and the test
oeth as administered to school teachers.
The first is practically dead. Every
rrbel attorney in the State, either by the
cJnnivance of the Judge, or by the
s. retching of his conscience, and taking
the oath, or through loyal partner, is
Eracticing his profession. Besides, this
aw is of doubtful cOnstitutionality.
rhe Supreme Courts of the United
States, and of the State Of Missouri, and
many United States Dist:', Judges, and
not a few State Judges, hrve declared u
similar law unconstitutional; whilst the
Supreme Court of this State, Judges
Brown and Loomis,) haze held other
wise. No public good can &c accomplish
ed by this law.
The Suitor's test oath has altogether
failed in its supposed protection of 10y
al men. 1t has only resulted in the
postponement of the collection of just
debts. Not one single loyal man, with
in my knowledge, has ever derived any
benefit from this act.
The Teachers oath, in this section of
the State, only has the effect of depriv-
ing us of the best teachers in the COM
munity. Young men among us, OF COLI
lege educations, and of experience as
teachers, cannot take the oath, aud
those who ca take it, as general rule
are not we'll qualified. To say the least
of it, it lessons the range OF selection,
and prevents the Boards of Education
from making the very best appoint
ments under all the circumstances.
As to the Voters oath, and the oath
of office, l am not prepared to say that
there ought to be change at this time.
| believe the notifications in the law,
as suggested above, would have hap.
DIV result 1t would indicate on our
part, wise magnanimity, and would
be proof, both of our justice and gener-
osity. 1t would convert these men from
the position of mere drones in the COM
munity, to one Of life, activity, and use
fulness. do, therefore. sincerely hope,
that some such legislations as have in
dicated, may be had this winter.
Most respectfully your obedient SER
want. J.F. CALDWELL.