Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-03-02
TRAYNER,s APPOINTMENT.

We did not expect that the publication of
our notice last week, about the appointment
of Trayner to a constableship in this town
ship would pass by without eliciting some
comment, and we are glad We have not been
disappointed. The Berkeley Union, the or
gan of Radicalism in this end of West Fir-
GINA, thus takes us to task for that and other
matters that have found place in Cur columns:
Owe have been surprised at the Spirit Of
Jefferson in this particular; at one time it
was melting people to hang man and In its
issue of this week, virtually says, that GER
tain citizen of the county shall not so in
certain part of the county, and if he does.
the citizens should do him injury. Now we
submit this is wrong. Suppose the New
York Tribune or the Philadelphia Press
should say, Mr.. Beall, you are rebel, you
have been guilty of treason, Gntinitely worse
than horse-stcaling) therefore If you come
to New Y ork or Philadelphia the citizens
will hang you. Now how would you like
that He would say, in Gods name don t
lynch me, but give me trial. And these
papers, if there be any right, have as much
has to sound his notes Of danger To our
very much like melting disturbances, to
which the law afixes penalty; but certainly
any one engaging in IN )b or riot, is liable
to be prosecuted, and the course OF any jour
nal coun tcnancing such things, ought to be
condemned by every respectable, law abiding
| citizen, Republican or Conservative, white or
black"
We have not "virtually" said that the re-
cent appointee for constable should not go to
any part of the county, or whercverbe pleascs,
but we have said, and now repeat, that he is
not wanted in this township by its citizens-
or at least that portion of them who own
horses. His appointment by the Board of
Supervisors was an outrage, and intended to
be so, by that body, without doubt. Trayncr
was no. a resident of the township; not more
than dozen of its citizens had ever seen
him to know who he was their information
in regard TO him was such as to prejudice
them against him, and his presence here
could only excite bitter and unkind feelings,
and in the end, most probably, lead to un~
pleasant results. Under the circumstances,
no other than man with rhinoceros hide
and face of brass, would force himself upon
people in the capacity of an officer, particu
lary under the appointment of Board of
Supervisors constituted as ours is
As to the tar-fetched supposition Of the
Union about what the New York Tribune
and Philadelphia Press might say about our
being hung because we were rebel, we have
only to say that If ever we force ourself upon
the citizens Of either of those cities as con-
stable, we hope they will hang us. And yet,
if there is really any law in the country, we
would have just as good a right to so there
as Trayner has to come to Grant township.
If we have been guilty Of treason-a fact
which has not yet been established in any
court, in any single case-it was not against
our mother State, in whose sovereignty our
political teachings mad lead us to believe
J That that crime even, which super>serviceable
loyalists have painted in the blacklist colors,
is infinitely worse than horse-stealing," is an
opinion in which We do not concur. But
this difference with the editors of the Union
may result alike from the difference in the
political lessons learned in boyhood, and cher
isbed in later years. In other words, if
man is taught to believe in the right of &C.
cession, he is very apt to justify its exercise
If he has been taught to believe that horse
stealing is not crime, he is not likely to
disapprove its preparation.
Whether Or not the publication of articles
such as ours clocks like melting disturbances
to which the law applies penalty" we have
not stopped to enquire, but We hardly think
that a court that would quash an Indictment
for horse, stealing, ought to punish an editor
for Directing that the party indicted should
be domiciled upon an unwilling people, with
whose interests said editor is supposed to be
identified