Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-10-12
TO THE
REPUBLICANS OF BERKELEY co.


State, and we expect to remain such SO long
as truth, justice, and the true interest of the
country continue to be as they have heretofore
been, the cardinal objects Of that organization.
We have been true aud loyal to the Union
prepared at all times to make any sacrifice to
maintain the supremacy of the Constitution
and Laws against the concerted efforts which
Rebellion and Treason have made to over
throw them. We have acted with the Re-
publican Party in this county in carrying out
all its Just and defensive measures of policy,
and we expect to continue to act with Repub-
licans of this State and of the United States,
in carrying out all the great principles of
Political Liberty and Human Freedom, which
have given character and success to that Great
Party. We cast our votes cheerfully and
cordially for that distinguished Statesman and
Hero, Ulysses S. Grant, and we stand by,
support and maintain the principles and
measures of the present administration.
What then has caused US to listen to the
suggestions which have been addressed to US
by large number of earnest and true hearted
Republicans from every portion of the county,
and has caused US to yield to their wishes in
presenting our names before you candidates
for the Senate and House of Delegates of
West Virginia?
We beg to assure you that it is not any
selfish or personal interest that we seek to
crafty it is not the pleasure or profit of a
seat in the Legislature that we aim at, and
you who know us, will acquit us of such
motives of action. 1t is, as far as we can be
useful instruments for that purpose, to rescue
the Republican Party of this county (Which
is dear to us) from the commission of great
error at the approaching election-to vindicate
the true doctrines of our Faith,-to sustain
those principles of Justice, federation and
Freedom, and to support and uphold President
Grant in those liberal and enlightened views
of Peace and Cancellation which he has an
nounced to the country as the basis Of his Adj
ministration.
A meeting has recently been held in this
county, at which the names of j. Nelson
Wisuer and Jacob Ropp have been presented
to the voters as candidates for the House of
Delegates. Under other circumstances than
the present, we should have hailed this nomi-
nation as entitled to our support. They are
gentlemen of character and intelligence, and
of unexceptionable moral position. They have
heretofore been earnest and Jealous in carry
ing out the true interests of the Republican
Party, but they have been brought before the
county at this time upon platform which we
cannot approve; as the avowed advocates and
supporters of Policy which is repudiated by
President Grant, and denounced by tile Re-
publicans everywhere throughout the country,
as harsh unnecessary, proScriptiUe and unfeel-
ing, and which cannot be maintained in any
county or city of this country without man.
ifest destruction to the party itself
We have therefore consented to be candiN
dates at the approaching election, and we an.
nouce to you, Fellow Citizens, the following
as the platform upon which we ask your sup-
port. IF our principles do not suit you, reject
us. IF they embrace, in your opinion, the
true interests and policy of the Republican
Party, We claim your support,
1st We hold, that the war being ended,
the rebellion crushed, the Constitution and
Union triumphant, and the United States now
again one great and happy Republic, that all
within its limits shall enjoy the rights of
American Citizens.
End. We hold, that the Suitor's Oath
which prevents an honest creditor from re-
covering his just dcht-the Lawyers Oath,
which forbids a class of our citizens from
earning an honest livelihood by the practice
of his profession-the Schoolmaster's Oath,
which has frustrated the fair operation of our
Free School system by diminishing the nuns
which prevents large number of worthy cit
liens and heavy Taxpayers from participa-
ting in the privileges of the elective fran
chise-be repeated
There is not now within the limits of the
United States, one State, where these dis
qualifying and disabling oaths are retained,
save and except West Virginia. However
excusable and even justifabIe those measures
were, Immediately succeeding the war, and
before the country had resumed its peaceful
pursuits and feelings, no one out of the State
of West Virginia now stands up to justify
them. They belong to past era. They are
as inappropriate to the present day, rs thumb
screw and pincers, and other instruments of
torture of the by-gone middle ages. Shall
West Virginia continue TO be pointed out as
the only State in the Union, in which a large
body Of her native citizens are deprived of
the ordinary rights and privileges of Frees
men Will she continue to attract ridicule
to that noble motto on her coat of arms =
Wontani IScmper Liberi? Can she glory in
a coat of arms in the face of the disabilities.
disquali6cations and restrictions, which crush
to the earth so many of her citizens, perform
ing as they now are faithfully all their duties
to the Union and to the State
Is Berkeley County to be the last County
in West Virginia that will strike the chains
from the limbs of her fellow. citizens2 Berke-
ley, distinguished for her freedom, intel
ligence and prosperity-the home of the in
dependent farmer-the thriving mechanic
the successful trudesman a county which has
ever opened generous and hearty welcome
to talent, enterprise and capital from every
other State in the Union, and which delights
to honor talent and worth, no matter from
whence it springs. Shall all men be welcome
to your embraces, but this prescribed and dis
qualified class ofyour own native fellow-citi-
zens
1t is upon this policy that we take issue
We could not with our ideas of what is due
to the great Republican party of the country
to the administration of President Grant
see policy engraited into the creed and