The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-08-10
MASON
Mr.. Editor.

ncatiou signed as above, few points Of
which we beg leave to answer briefly
Now, who this "Nlason" is, we are not
fully advised, and surmise only as to the
author from the spirit indicated in the pro.
duction. lie says the ordinance Of secess.
ion passed by that conclaVe Of rebels atthe
city Of Richmond, was sustained by nearly
one hundred thousand majority Of the vo-
tiers Of the Commonwealth Of Virginia,
and from the knowledge he eyinces in the
matter, we suppose him to be one Of the se-
cessionists who voted for it; but fails to tell
us that perhaps two.thirds Of the vote
cast for this ordinance Of secession, was
forced from the people by intimidation at
! the point of the bayonet. and threats Of
Punishment from country, home, friends,
DC.
What he says about the meeting of the
Convention at Wheeling on the 18th Of
Of June, 1861, and the reasons given
therefor is all truck--the mere buildings
over Of mind in state ofagitation, hav-
ing nothing else to say, and really does
not deserve noticing. Hecalls these men
usurpcrs, who had congregated there,
without any authority from the people, for
the purpose Of intoxicating State division
and State Secession, under the promise Of
protection from Ohio. How the gentle.
man knew that protection had been prom
Used by Ohio, we know not, unless he lear
ned it while on q visit to Columbus, for it
was certainly not known by this body Of
usurpers as he calls them. This sounds
well for one, who at that time, was con-
cocting for the destruction Of the govern
mcnt.
He asks who sent these men to Wheel
ing? We answer the pcople-lhc loyal
people seut them there, 1t was the last
aud only remedy to save West Virginia
from the whirlpool Of secession, aud bud
her to the parent government.
Mason then proceeds ogive an extract
Of the history that ledto the formation Of
the State constitution that these men arc
now trying to overthrow in their effort to
have what they are pleased 10 call a reform
constitutional convention. These facts
were all known, however, to the people
long before his return from his snuiling Of
the smoke Of the powder in hurting Mimic
balls at the defenders Of the Uuion aud the
liberties Of the people.
Iapprchcud that the main objection ur-
ged by Mason against the constitution and
for convention, is that so few Of the pco-
pie bad the chance to vote upon il; aud
says they were prevented by bayonets in
the hands Of troops of a very imperfect
civilization aud Of a different color from
yourselves" This is not true. Not
single bayouet was in the hands of color
ed man, or any other soldier for the pur-
poses alleged, of preventing full and free
expression Of the will of the people on tho
constitution. More than 500 OF the voters
OF this county s,ubbornly and pcrsis'cntly
refused to vote at all, simply because Of
their hostility to the act Of organizing Il
new State, and their sympathy in behalf Of
the Coufcdcracy. These facts a;e patent
to every man in the State; aud taking this
county as a sample, it will give us in tho
80 counties II, 100 who purpos"ly aud dc.
tcrminedly refused to vote. No intimida.
ton from bayoncts in the hands of soldiers
prevented them from voting They rcfu-
sed only upon the ground that they were
opposed to the measure aud were in favor
Of secession, many Of them. The polls
were open and tho people we're invited to
vote pro or con, as their judgment might
dictate. If Mason had not been off seek
ing bis fortune in the Confedcracy, he al
so would have failed or refused to vote, as
did many Of his brcthcren. And who for.
sooth, these very same men are struggling
for a convention, which they because Of
their regard for one Of a different kind, re-
fused to vote for, thereby involving tho
State in debt Of 100000 or more, and
compelling the people to pay.
This same argument may be urged
against the Federal constitution. How
many of the people Of the United States
now, voted upon that constitution? Not
one. They have all passed away, and we,
their descendants, take itas it is, and like
law abiding citizens obey itas best we can.
1t is true that in 1861 a few malcontents
took up arms for its overthrow, but were
thwarted in their designs because they
had not the power to accomplish their pur-.
poses aud the very same spirit that led in
that movement, is leading in this, and the
doom that fell upon the former will also
be the doom Of the latter. 1t is true tho
Federal constitution has been frequently
amended in the way provided; and SO can
this Wby then have n convention to nut