Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-10-07
To The
Republicans of Berkeley County.
FELLOW CITIZENS :

leans. We nave been Sucn since tIle iOl in"
ton Of the Republican party in this State, and
we expect TO remain such so long as truth, JUS
tice. and the true interest of the country con-
tinue to be as they have heretofore been, the
cardinal objects Of that organization. We have
been true and loyal to the Union prepared at
all times to make any sacrifice to MAINTAIN the
supremacy of the Constitution and Laws a.
gainst the concerted efforts which Rebellion
and Treason have made to overthrow them
We have acted with the Republican Party
in this county in carrying out all Its Just ana
defensive measures of policy, and we expect to
continue to act with Republicans 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 dlstln-
guished Statesman and Hero, Ulysses >. Grant,
and we stand by, support and MAINTAIN the
principles and measures of the present admin
istration.
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 10 yield to their wishes IN
presenting our names before YOU as candidates
for the Senate and House Of Delegates Of West
Virginia.
We beg to assure You that IL is not any sell
fish or personal interest that we seek 10 g'atliy;
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 10 uS) from the
commission of great error at the approaching
election-to vindicate the true doctrines OF our
Faith, to sustain those principles oiJuStice,
liberation and Freedom, and to support and
uphold President Grant in the liberal and en-
lghtened viewsof Peaceand Cancellation which
he has announced to the country rs the basis
of his Administration.
A meeting has recently been held in this
county, at which the names of j. Nelson Wis
ner and Jacob Ropp have been presented to
the voters as candidates for the House of Dele
gates. Under other circumstances than the
present we should have hailed this nomination
as entitled to our support. They are gentle
men of character and intelligence, and of I'M
exceptionable moral position. They have here
tofore been earnest and Jealous in carrying 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 sup
porters of Policy which is repudiated by
President Grant, and denounced by the Re
publicans everywhere throughout the country,
as harsh, unnecessary TTOSciptire and INFECT
ina. and which cannot be maintained in any
county or city of this country without manifest
destruction to the party itself.
We have therefore consented to be candi-
dates at the approaching election, and we an
nounce 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, toe true
interests and policy Of the Republican Party,
we claim your support
LIST. 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.
2nd We hold, that the Sutor's Oath which
prevents an honest creditor from receiving his
Just debt-the Lawyers Oath, which forbds a
class Of Our citizens from earning an honest
livelihood by the practice of his proression-the
Schoolmasters Oath. which has frustrated the
fair operation of our Free School system by di-
mnisbing the number of teachers and the
Registry Oath. which prevents large number
of worthy citizens and heavy taxpayers from
participating in the privileges Of the elective
franChiSe-BE REPEALED.
=. Will, fTa Ti,,,Tfc Of f1a
United States. one State, where these diSquali-
fying and disabling oaths are retained, save and
except West Virginia. However eXcusable
and even justiGable those measures were, i'm
mcdiateTy succeeding the war, and before the
country had resumed its peaceful pursuits and
feelings. no one out of the State of West Nir
GINA now stands up to Justify them. They
belong to past era. They are rs inappro-
PIRATE to the present day, as the thumb-screw
and pincers, and other instruments Of torture
of the by-gone middle ages. Shall West Nir
ciuia 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 Frecmen? VIII she
continue to attract ridicule to that noble motto
on her coat Of arms: MOntdRi Semper Liberi d?
Can she glory in n coat Of arms in the face Of
the disabilities, disqualifcatons and rcstric-
tons, which crush to the earth So many Of her
citizens, performing as they now are faithfully
all their duties to the Union and to the State
Is berkeley County to he the last County in
West Virginia that will strike the chains from
the limbs of her fellow-citizenS Berkeley,
distinguished for her freedom. intelligence and
proSperity-the home Of the Independent far
mer-thc thriving mechanic-tbe successful
tradesman; county which has ever opened
generous and hearty welcome to talent, enter
prise and c"pital 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 disqualified class Of
your own native felow-citizens
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 this country
to the administration of President Grant-see
a policy engralted into the creed and practice
Of this country which is now disavowed by the
Republicans throughout the land, and which
is calculated to bring odium and discredit upon
that party to which we are so much attached
Fellow-Citizens, the issue is now plainly and
distinctly before You. We are Republicans
and we differ in no respect from orr honorable
competitors, except we are opposed to the fur
tbcr continuance Of this proscriptive and op-
prcssivc policy. upon our fellow-citizeus. We
90 for Impartial Suffrage and Tmrersal Am-
nesty. We stand upon the great principles Of
Popular Liberty and Popular Government -