The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-10-25

THE Register In Ils conduct OF the
canvass In this county has chosen TO
make single issue. 1t has done this
rs IA matter OF choice, because the editor
dictated the resolution Of the Oonven.
ton which 1t parades as lie declaration
OF principles. Thus far II has not de-
parted from the single demand" set
forth In that resolution. It proceeds on
the assumption that there ITO be but
one question before the next Leglsla.
ture In which the people Of this county
have any stake. We desire that the
Issue thus made to overshadow all 9TH
era may be clearly understood,
The Register will not wait for the re.
movAl OF the constitutional restrictions
on suffrage by lawful means. II pro-
poses 10 get rid OF them at once by re.
pealing all the laws by which they
can be enforced. 1t cannot be needful
to argue at any length against such
step. The fact that nothing is pro-
posed TO take tho place OF those laws
shows what Is designed. Our people
understand very we'll that registry Of
voters Is authorized In our OonstIt tuition:
that such registry fairly made Is an
excellent regulation for guarding the
purity OF the ballot.box. They under
stand, too, that while our Constitution
holds provision forbiddlng class OF
citizens to vote there must be suitable
legislation TO mako that provision efIsc.
tive, or the Constitution will simply be
set at defiance. They know, too, that
no more efficient method OF carrying
out that provision has yet been devised
than registry OF the qualified voters;
and therefore 1t becomes them, before
tearing that down, to ask what We are
to have in place Oft. 1--we are 10 have
nothing, no one can consent to the over
throw Of these laws except for the ex.
press purpose Of multiplying the Consti.
tuition until its repeal can be consum-
mated In legitimate way. This isex.
ao!ly The game Of the Register. Yet we
are persuaded but few OF Its own party
are willing, as matter OF deliberate
purpose, to proceed to such q length as
this for the sake Of escaping the opera
ton OF obnoxious laws. There Ia a bet.
ter way. There are legal and peaceful
remedies that have not yet been ex.
hausted; and these ought to be before
mere arbitrary violence Is resorted to.
II laws are really bad, they cannot
stand very long II honestly enforced.
The people mSy safely be trusted to
find out their expressions and apply
the remedy. But II the Legislature
should assume tho power to disregard
plain constitutional law without walt
lug for Its abrogatlon, precisely the
same reasons would authorize every
man 10 disregard and defy any statute
law which he found distasteful or adj
verse to his interests. OF course the
self'preservative sense OF the commu-
nifty would not permit such ideas to
make much Roadway; but the begin
nings OF such lax doctrines respecting
the obligation Of obedience to consti-
tuted authority are demoralizIng and
dangerous. Yet It Is these doctrines
which the Register labors from day TO
day to commend to the people Of this
county. tasks our people to send
delegation to the Legislature pledged
TO disregard the obligation that Is sa>
cred upon every member Of society-to
obey the law while 1t is the lava
pledge which the delegation could
not fulall without o plain Viola
tion OF their oaths to support the Con.
stitution Of the State. Happily the
State Is protected against such revolu,
tlonary counssls, hrst by the good sense
and law-abiding character OF her PEG.
pie, and second by the oath which their
legislators assume, to maintain the
constitution and perform the duties n
Imposes on them.
We do not believe the lRe0istcrJs an
archical programme commends itself
to the cool judgment OF lis own polIti.
cal friends. There may be few reck.
less enough TO endorse 1t: but we
prefer 10 believe that men who are con,
trolled by their Judgments, and who
have due appreciation Of the close
connection between respect for what.
ever Is the lawful authority and the
safety Of person and property, must
shrink from giving Ito advice practical
application.