The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-08-01

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the humblest citizen, who can prove that
he did not give voluntary aid to the re-
bcllion. Why? Simply because he can
not prove a negative. The challenge at
the polls provided for by former laws, not
being effective in driving sufficient num-
ber from the polls to suit the ideas Of these
partisan leaders, the test oath was invent
ed and man was required to swear to his
loyalty before being allowed to vote. Can
he vote il he do this? Look around yonr
own neishborhoods for your answer. You
know many, many friends who were Union
men during the war, come Of them served
in the Federal army, who are not allowed
to vote by the county Boards of Registra-
ton, who have stricken their names from
the registration lists simply and only be-
cause they will not vote with the party in
power.
So determined is the republican party
TO retain place, that its members in the
Legislature have persistently refused to
even listen to the reading ofa bill propos-
ing to mako the members Of the County
Roards of Registration elective by the
people, and to have them no longer the
creatures of the Governor. Still unwill-
ing to trust the people in this important
matter, they have defeated all attempts to
modify the Registration laws. Why?
viii not Boards ofRcgistrat!on elected by
the people as fairly and honestly
carry out the law as those ap-
pointed by the Governor? Ah.
there's the rub! They will act SO
fairly and honestly that the people whom
the radicals fear, will oust them from the
places they hold against the known wish
es of the majority Of the actual citizens Of
this State. Are you willing, fellow-citi-
zcns, that this state Of affairs shall con.
tinue I? If not, vote this fall against the
Radical party, and the time will soon
como when you will be able to assert the
right Of citizens, of which many Of you
have been so illegally, unjustly and ty-
rannically deprived, and bo able again to
perform the duties aud assume the res
possibilities Of frcemen. 1ria
The Registration Law Of 1866 in noto-
riously in violation of the constitution.
To adopt it men were disfranchised with
OFT the least shadow of right. Like all
other measures of tho Republican party
of this State. it was begotten of hate, con-
ccivcd in fraud, and born in iniqui:y. If
any person desires to see continuance Of
these things, let him vote for Governor
Stevenson. l ask your suiErages for my
self in the interests Of the people, and
not for my own aggrandiscment.
The Parkersburg Journal, the organ
of the "Bittcr. Enders" Of this State, says
that only 5000 men are disfrauchised,
and that therefore no wrong is done.
Only 5000! There was time in the
history Of this stato-1 mean when she
was part and parcel Of Virginia-when to
deprive one man of his right to vote was
to do q wrong to tho cniiro people Of thu
whole State. No wrong done! Have
We so far forgotten the teachings of our
fathers that 5000 men can be unjustly
deprived Of the right of suffrage and we
calmly fold our hands and say there is no
wrong done ? But tho Wheeling Mtellt-
gcncer, which was the organ of the "Lct-
Ups" and is tho leading Radical paper
Of the State, more fnirly states the case
in putting the uumbcr of disfranchised at
90, 900. The great mass of the people Of
all parties think there is wrong done, and
will vote his fall with the Democratic
party to remedy this wrong. .3...
TIC Republican party, in defence Of
their course in DISTINGUISHING men be-
cause Of their having aided the rebellion,
say that they fear if the ballot is restored
to the late rebels they will rebel again.
Yet they do not hesitate to take rebel
to their arms provided he will vote with
them. They are very consistent. They
don't care whether man has changed
his views OH the abstract right of scces-
sion or not, if he will only vote with the
Republican party. This consistency was
shown at their lato Convention ut Par
kersburg, where Tom Swami, a COnfede.
ratio officer, and one Of the loudest and
most outspoken for the Confederacy, was
made orator.in chief, and whom they talk
of as a candidate for The United States
Senate. In good truth tho Radical test
Of loyalty is disposition to vote the Re
publican ticket, no matter what scntl.
A