The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-02-12

though these men of the rebellion have
been conquered, you as conquerors are
sanctioned by no law human or divine,
in imposing terms upon them harder
| than the can bear, or in visiting the
consequences of your evil passions upon
them.
There is a story in Spanish his
tory which we'll contrasts with the
spirit of that persecution which you are
yet waging on the distrauchised OF this
State. trust it may prove valuable
lesson in your grave deliberations. l
take it from a speech of distinguished
United States Senator, who got it from
an able lecturer. 1t is thus:
"Some centuries ago two kings were
contendiDg for the crown of CASTLE.
forget their names for the present, but
to facilitate the telling of my story, /
shall call one Alfonso and the other
John. Alfonso proclaimed of course
that John was an usurper and a Srebel
and John returned the compliment.
Well, John at last defeated his rival
horse and foot, and carried everything
triumphantly before him, with the ex-
ception of single town which Alfonso
had entrusted to q stout and gallant
old knight called Angular, and which,
after long ssige remained impregna-
bic "You have done enough for honor"
said King John one day to the knight,
surrender, and you shall have the
most liberal terms" "If You bad read
the history of your country" answered
Aguilar, "you would have known that
none of my race ever cspitulated." ~
will starve you, proud and obstinate
fool" said King John. "Starve the
eagle, if you can," said Aguilar. Il
will put you and the whole garrison to
the sword" King John again sung out.
"Try," was the laconic reply, and the
siege went on. One morning as the
rising sun was beginning to gild with
its rays the highest towers of the be-
leagured city, a bugle sounded from the
camp of the enemy. The old knight
appeared on the wall aud looked down
on the king below. Surrender" said
John, again. alfonso, my rival is dead
and the whole of CASTLE recognizes my
power, as that of its legitimate SOW
ereign." "Sire, l believe you, but
must see my dead master" responded
Aguilar. go, then, TO Seville,
where his body lies," said the king.
"YOu shall have my royal word that l
shall attempt nothing against you on
your way nor against the city in your
absence" The knight came out with
banners flying and small escort of
-visaged warriors. Behind him the
gates closed. Before him the dense bat
talious of the enemy opened their ranks
and as he passed along slowly riding
his noble war horse shouts of admira-
tion burst wide and far from the whole
host who had 50 often witnessed his
deeds of valor, and the echoes of the loud
aud enthusiastic greeting accompanied
him until the red plume which waved
over his helmet vas out of sight. He
arrived at Seville and went straight to
the Cathedral, where he found the
coffin of former sovereign. He had it
opened, and after gazing awhile with
moist eyes at the pale face which met
his look, he thus addressed the dead
monarch: "Sire, had sworn never
to deliver to anybody but yourself the
keys of the town, which you have en-.
trusted to my care. Here they are. l
have kept my OATH" And he deposited
them on the breast of King Alfonso.
Then. bestridinG his good stsed, h0 gal.
loped back to his post. As soon as he
appeared again the ranks-of the enemy
opened and King John confronted him.
"Wcl!," said the king, "areyo satisfied
and do you now give up the contesti'
"Yes, SIRE" "Where are the keys Of
the town~ was asked by the king. GOA
King Alfonso's breast. Go and get
them. We meet no more" by Heaven
VIC shall never part" exclaimed the
king. Get tho keys back yourself and
remain in command OF tho town in my
name" The followers Of the king mur.
INJURED and complained of his rewarding
rebel. ale IS no longer one," said
King John, "sUch rebels WbCH icon become
the Jtst Of ciG:cns."
contend, Mr.. Speaker, that mine is
an analogous case TO this. Did not
these men-whom you punish
by frat enactinS proscriptiye laws
against them, and t0.day by opposing
everything like their repeal-during
their whole rebellion give US like in
stances Of bravery and honor to that Of
this incidtnti Their whole history
during the war is pregnant with such
OASt' HANo' Az WV anu VIZ 'hAlohb
Aguilar, yielded TO the force of mum.
Ders. They too have deposited their
old sympathies and their keys in the
grave of the COnfederacy. They have
surrendered everything that bound
them to her. Aye, over the graves of
their dead they hold the olive branch
they have recognized the death of their
cause; they have long since accepted
the decision of battle. They have
staked ali and lost, and seek not to re.
gain it. With hands uplifted To their
God and your God-with before them
the ridged graves of their slain
brethren, and around them the ruins of
their once proud fortunes, they swear
rigid fidelity hencelorward to the Fed.
eral authority. Then let me beseech
you Republicans TO only initiate this
little incident of Spanish history, and
say, as did King John, "No longer
rebels we never part more" Do this,
and from the graves of those who no
longer strive but are at peace with
God-from all over the land you will be
greeted with the kindliest benedictions
Of all good men. Scipio and Pericles
were mercifuI in the days of triumph,
and every historian hangs over their
pages with delight. Tiber;as and
Robespierre, it is true, yet live, but only
in the execratioDs of our whole race.
But, says the extreme loyalist, "these
laws, proscriptive as they may be, must
be continued-not as punishment but
as safeguards to the State. To place
the control of our interests even within
the reach ofGebsls " ould be fatal. These
measures Will alone guarantee 10 Us our
personal liberty and the safety Of our
property" These, sirs, are the reasons
of the demagogue who has an eye only
to his own promotion and those Of the
party whose success will insure his.
Granting as you, Mr.. Speaker, said day
or two ago, IN arguing the Suitor's Oath
question, that these restrictions were
imperative as war measures, aud that
those days Of trouble required
harsh laws 10 sustain the Gov
ernment. You, / know, will now
admit that the lapse OF time and