The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-07-22
a Nav Theory OF PrOteCIlOn.

One of the resolutions written by Hon.
CuAs J. FAULKNER, and adopted. by the
little meeting held at Martinsburg the
other day under his patronage, reads:
ReOlUed, H. That the experience ofthe
last nine years, during which time this
Constitution has been in operation, has
very satisfactorily shown that it has been
powerless to protect those fundamental
privileges, which Of right belong TO the
citizens OF every Free Government, In
illustration Of the truth Of this proposition,
we refer to the following facts;
LIST. That within that period, more than
ten thousand Of the native born citizens Of
this State, have in period OF profound
peace, without trial or conviction TOR any
offence, by eS post Jdct0 ordinances, been
deprived of tho right oil suffrage, and re-
duCed to the condition Of aliens upon their
native soil, Iii true this obnoxious pro-
vision has been recently abrogated by u
decisive expression Of the Popular voice,
but the relief thus afforded, is attributablG
exclusively to the altered and improVeu
temper OF the Public mind, not to any IN
inherent virtue in the Constitutions and
that such a measure Of vengeance should
for four long years have 0VGrshadOWed
the liberties of this State, shows, that we
are without that Protecting Power, IN
our organic law, which Is the great pur'
pose Of u written Constitution to guaran-
Ice to every citizen Of Free Govern
ment, &c, &c. d..
THIS has at least tho merit of novelty,
but We regret that the distinguished gen
tleman was not more explicit and did not
indicate Just what kind Of provision he
would like to have to meet the case, AS
we understand his object is to guard
against the disability of persons who may
hereafter engage IN rebellion against the
government, for surely he can have no
Tears that those who took hand In the
recent rebellion are in any danger Of hay
ing their disabilities renewed, Nov Is 1t
really wise to call n convention Just
to put provision into the constitution
that in future when high toned southern
gentlemen leave posts Of trust and honor
under the government of the United
States TO raise parriCidal hands against II
when they rob lls treasury and plumber
It's arsenals to organize war Oftreason-
when they levy armies and shoot down
defenders OF that government-they shall
incur no penalties in case their traitorOus
and murderous efforts are unsuccessful
that they shall continue to hold offices
under the government they are installing,
or resume them at pleasure, and exercise
its powers at the polls? How would It
read to have . Constitution with II pro.
vision like this;
mo citizen of this State who may levy
war against the United States or give aid
or comfort 10 the enemies thereof, or who
holding the post Of u minister OF the
United SlAtes. to foreign government
shall leave his post and join the enemies
Of the United States in acts Of war against
the same shall be deemed guilty Of trca'
son, nor be deemed To have committed
any offence or during such war, or at
any time thereafter, be in any wise mo,
Tested or restrained In body or goods, or
have his political privileges us n citizen
OF the United States IN my wise dimIn.
: ished; but heshall have at any and all times
the uninterrupted right to hold any office
in tho gilt Of the United States or Of any
State and vote at all elections within their
Jurisdiction md the having abandoned
such post aforesaid and engaged in such
acts of war shall ever after be deemed
and held most honorable and praisewOr-
thy proofs Of patriotism"
That, we suppose, would about meet
the demand Of this resolution. But did
itnGver occur to the writer Of II that II Is
not the Constitution Oi this State alone
that IL "powetless to protect those finda.
mental privileges" oil which that dlstin.
guished gentleman WINS so unfortunate rs
to DO deprived while serving on STONE.
WALL JACRsUN's staff and Cor some time
thereafter; nor was II ii this State alone
that those fundamental privileges
were denied during the rebellion and
for time thereafter. Tho Constitution
ofthe United States appears to have been
equally "pOwcrless" rs protector, fornot
only did It allow many such eminent pa.
trlots rs SToNEWALLJ ACKsoN to be killed
in the performance Of their patriotic work,
hut IL was "powerless' to restore other
equally eminent and patriotic citizens to
office and popular confidence as soon ms
they were released from their warlike vo.
cation. And even to this day, such Is tho
want Of inherent virtue in the C0nstitu'
ton" OF the United States, that many sur.
vivIng patriots Of the rebellion are mol
protected In their Fundamental privilege
Of holding office. ... .. .....s
Now, we submit iC constitution Is Ia
be upset and remodeled because II fails Ia
be a protecting Power in such heart.
rending cases as those referred 10, Mr..
FAULKNER will have 10 extend the scope
of Ills reform and begin with tue Consti.
tuition of the United States.
And we submit further, whether the
people Of the State want convention
held just to put II provision in the Consti
tuition to protect men who may engage in
future rebellions from any interruption o.
their citizenship while they are Mt 1t, o.
any of the consequences Of their treason