The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-08-29

cordance with the expectations Of the
Marshal and the Radical politicians
who arranged the plan.
Two cases Of violation of the "Act to
enforce the right of citizens to vote"
were brought to the attention Of the
Grand Jury. One was against Nc
ELwEE, Of Mineral county, for refusing
to register young man named ALKiRE'
who, when thirteen years OF age gave
evidence of 'disloyalty" in that he met
one of the rebel General JONES men on
the road, spoke to him, passed on, and
failed to report the fact Immediately to
the Union men" This was the head
and front Of his offending and for thus
rendering aid and comfort to the enemy
the registrar refused to record his name
as a voter, now that he has arrived al
the age of twenty-one, in the year Of
grace 1870. The other case was against
ONDERDoNK, registrar of Jefferson
county, for refusing TO register the
name Of a negro whose only offense, SO
far as we have learned, is that he had
declared his intention TO vote the Demo,
cratic ticket
Now if the act Of Congress TO enforce
the right of citizens to vote has any
application whatever TO any possible
case that can arise, it applies TO these
two cases. The two registrars, Noel
WEE and ONDERDoNK, violated the pro
visions of this act as palpably as any
conduct on their part could; and yet the
conveniently arranged Grand Jury
stood between them and the penalty
due to their misdeeds and refused Il
make any indictment or presentmen
against them refused TO permit then
cases to come before the Court, anC
virtually approved the course OF th'
registrars in striking down the deares
right an American citizen can possess
There are in the Radical party som'
candid and honest men; men who hav,
some regard for right and justice; mel
who are willing to conccde to others tn,
rights they themselves enjoy; men wh'
believe in the principles Of republican
ism and who love the system Of fire.
government instituted 10y the heroes O
the Revolution. How will they regar,
the conduct Of the Radical partisan
who arranged and composed the Unite
States Grand Jury at Clarksburg
Such is orr political system that al
ohense against the right Of one citizeI
is a menace to all How can we know
who is to be the next victim Of tn
political animosity or even the privat
spleen Of the registrars whom Governo
STEVENSON has placed in control of on
right to vote and for whose protection
when they violate the law a Gran,
jury will he summoned to acquit?
We are no friends to the registration
act in its present shape. 1t is an inia
, nous outrage upon the right and con
venicnce OF the citizen in nearly all o
its provisions; but even that law is nc
fairly administered ANY enactment
malevolent and proScriptivc part
can devise is better than the arbitrar
power exercised Ivy the registrars il
this State. The only legal test OF tn
qualifications Of voters is found in tn
Constitution, but the registrars max
voters of whom they please and dis
: franchise whom they will, and 20 SEQ
free. 1t is monstrous. II is a libc
upon republican government, a disgrac
to the civilization Of the age. Will no
every citizen who loves freedom AM
values his own right to vote join will
us in condemning these shameful viola
tons Of every principle Of justice, anc
Join with us in the endeavor to max
such law as shall place the sutl'rag
of the people above the control of IRE
sponsible registrars and unprincIpl",
politicians