The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-05-22
The Obstruction Policy.

The Obstruction Policy.
The discussion now going on i'll the
papers of this State, relative 20 the re.
Inoval of political disabilities has excit-
ed no little interest. Much of this is
due to she fact that Republican opinion,
especially in this section, is rapidly be-
coming liberalized, and that the IRteiH-
geaeer, representing by no means an in
significant portion of its party, has
Joined with other Republican papers in
advocating the speedy enfranchisement
of the rebels. Feeling some concern as
to the response which the propositions
from these sources would elicit in Demo.
cratic quarters, and especially as to
their reception by those who are direct
iy effected by the prescription policy,
we have carefully scanned our
exchanges aud our correspond
ence for expressions of sentiment
upon the subject, We are happy to note
that there is general and kindly re-
sponse from all parts of the State. The
feeling seems 10 be that if the Republi-
cans, or any part Of them, are willing
10 aid in tbs enfranchisement of the
rebels of this State, there ought, in view
of the great public end to be served, to
be no such agitation of questions not
pertinent at this time, as would OBJ
struct the movement now taking shape.
The prescribed classes, especially, seem
more than ever determined to assure
the voters of West Virginia that their
restoration TO political privileges would
be a wise and benefcent stroke of pub
lie policy. Both papers and people seem
to be carefully abstainiug from all words
and deeds that eould in any way
rocal. the old issues, ard with them
their bitterness, prejudice and strife.
We regret to observe a single excep.
tiou to this general happy state of facts.
IT. discussing the Htelligencer'' first arti-
Gle upon the enfranchisement policy the
ParkersbuEg Ga:sttc feels impelied to
question the motives of that paper and
those for whom il speaks; to revamp
some of the arguments of the late State
campaign in their tiercest shape, and to
indulge in snch bIliOusness aud savage
ness It haranguc as would, if uttered
by jourual of average influence, go far
10 convince the more liberal Republi- !
cans Of the state that their aid in this
matter was neither wanted nor well
come. and their persistence in extend
ing il would merely secure for them q
reward OF cuffs and curses. Happily,
however, the Gasetts, so far from speak
ing for the Democratic party, can
not, in this case, be deemed to represent
\ sentiment that is either influential, fix
ed or formidable. We allow the GGsette to
speake for itself in the following sample
paragraphs from the article in question::
IL Cthe IutclligcHcsr) admits, however,
that the people are steadily leaving the
Radical ranks on account of the oppres-
sions of the Radical party-that even
the Infamous registry law cannot save
il more than two years longer, and it is
better to die with a show of repentance
than "peg ouU' with its full sins, with.
out hope of resuScitation, leaving its
meuCry to all time n stencil in the
postrils OF tue people. 1t even ex-
F,,,t hnpa that COMA ,ub, I,
been dragged four years and must now
he dragged for at least two more at the
wheels of the oonquering car, may be
so forgiving as to lick the cOuqueror'S
hand, and thank him for his forced
clemency.
Two wears must now elapSe before we
can have freedom, and even to that hope
we cannot look, unless at the next cleo
tiou we plaIe in the Legislature men
who are not only sound on that ques-
tiou, but 90 all others. Let us have no
more Legislatures made up Of men who
promise one way to the people, aad act
another whom they attain their object.
With this amendment of our State con-
stitution, let US remember the past cleo
tiOn aud the fifteenth amendment of our
national constitution. We 60 for the
repeal of the Infamous clause as soon as
possible, but we feel under no obliga-
tions to the radical press for favoring it
ct this late day, when it has wrought so
great wrongs that they see no other
hope for themselves than in submitting
with the scant grace they have TO the
demands of the rational among their
own friends, that have been.
Doubtless the irrepressible individual
who penned the above feels that he has
delivered himself of load of windy
words that have no precedent in the
annals ofbuncOmbe. Possibly he don't
know that the bowling war-dauce style
of argument don't make votes. Let the
possibility be his plea for pity.
Let US examine the case upon its
merits. The rebels of this State, among
,,bouo if ua miStaEa not a..