The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-09-30
LETTER FROM GEN, wITcHER.
GuYANDorrE. W. VAIL
September 81, 1869. !

september -li Ioo''
Editor R'gister
DEAR SIR: = Having seen many letters
in your valuable paper from different
portions of the State upon the removal
Of the political disabilities from tha, por.
lion of our fellow. citizens who parIicipa-
ted in the late rebellion; and as this is
likely 10 b, the principle issue in this,
and the next general election in our
S ate; and feeling that il is e question
that all are interested in irrespective Of
party, and that the future prosperity and
happiness Of cur young State, depends
in a great measure upon the way it is
decided And believing that an inter-
change of opinions upon this question
from dileren, parts Of the State will en-
able tho parties to better understand
each her in order that they may act in
harmony iu the approaching election.
Having seen nothing from this section of
the State upon the question. must be
my apology for venturing at this time to
inlrude upon your columns, and express
my views upon this question, | am
in favor of meeting it upon its own met
its. Let Us ask, hiss the time arrived
that we can with safety to the loyal peo~
pie, the State and the general Govern
mcnt, repeal wha, is known as our pro.
scripliyC laws? | am free to say. that
IN my opinion, tho time hes arrived
when we can with perfect safety repeal
every proscriptive law upon our statute
hooks. therefore, favor the election Of
such Republicans 10 represent us in the
next Legislature ms will vote for the
immediate repeal of what are known as
the Lawyers, Suitors and Teachers Test
Oalhs. aud to so amend, by joint R'so-
luton, the Srate Constitution, so as 10 re-.
store the elective franchise and the right
to bold Office, 10 those Of our citizens
who participated in the rebellion or gave
Oid and comfort to the same,
These laws were passed as war meas.
ure', or at least until the issues growing
out of the war were settled. In Isct, a
m5j )rity Of those whom the law was in
tended 10 reach for the time being, were
fresh from the battle Geld where they
had taken an oath to supper! the South
ern Confoderacyj many OF whom were
yet poroIloj prisoners Of war. The
State had been organized in their ab
sence, and contrary to their wishes, and
while mauy were saying at the time the
restrictive laws we're passed, that the
Stats wa, "bogus State" and would
again bo reunited 10 the old Common.
wealth Of Virginia. They we're passed
before Congress had agreed upon any
general plan of reconstruction at the
South, and before it was known what
disposition would Dc made of tho late
rebels in our midst. Under all these
circumstances think the laws were
right and just, they were in focl, indis
pensible. II some such laws had not
been enacted for the protection Of the
State and those who SO noblY stood by
the government in her hour Of need, the
rebel element could have combined and
elected 10 office men Of their own views,
aud could have dictated tho terms upon
which they should be admitted to their
former positions in the Uuion, thus set
ting a precedent unknOwn IN the history
OF nstions.
But, these reasons cannot longer be with
proprety urged, For four years the
war has been over, the passions and
predjulces Of the people have had time
to cool. The Confederate and Federal
soldier have returned to their homes each
and all living under the same flag, as
friends and oeighbors,ench and all jointly
interested in the future prosperity aud
happiness Of our State and nation And
so far as | know, the latter has lived up
strictly to his parole He is paying his
portion of the taxes to support the gov
ornmenl chesrfully. To this i, will be
said by some, that tho property of the
rebels that got up the war should be
,ouGscntod and made to pay the entire