The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-02-09
col. AgEBSrRRvs THE FLICK AN.
.ts c ENUMENT, ef tH

While we rejoice at The adoption Of tht
Flick Amendment, because It Is a Rcpdb,
lican measure. AID Que that will speedily
re-invest those disfrsachised citizens Of
our Stato. with.the ballot, aud blot from
the statute books, every vestige Of class OF
'gproscriptiye laws, yet We cannot but con.
demn the Inconsistency Of some of the
Democrats who voted for submitting this
Amendment to the people.
81 The Democratic State Convention which
met in Charleston last june, by most
( decisive vote struck this Amendment from
their platform Of principles as reported by
majority Of thcie committee on rcsolu-
Z tions. Walker declared that there was
negro in it," aud that to adopt this in
their platform, would be to justify and
endorse negro suffrage. They went into
the,fghtin opposition to this measure and
proclaimed that it was Radical measure
Ia Radical dodgc"-that il would not il
adopted, enfranchise the late confederates.
They were successful. and suddenly placed
into power. How now? The very FIRST
thing done BY them, Is to carry this Flick
Amendment through the Senate by an
unanimous vote. and through the House
'by vote of SO to II. Its true that ma
ny Democrats were elected to the Legisla.
turo who wore outspoken,iu favor Of this
Amendment, and in voting for it they
were consistent But, in Mason county
the issue was different. Col. Webster was
the rcguhr Democratic candidate for the
House Of Delegates while tho editor Of this
paper was the Republican candidate. Al
the time Of Mr.. sWebstcr's nomination be
was committed against this Flick Amend
'ment We made the canvass in favor Of
its adoption, and was bound BY our county
platform Of principles to vote for its sub
anission to the, people, if We had been elect.
ed. We would no. have deceived the pco.
pie, as has our present Representative
In all his speeches, Mr.. Webster boldly
and deGantly repudiated the Flick Amend
mcnt as an determination. lie made tht
issue square against us on this question
telling the peoplcithat if We wcro elected
we would vote for tue Amendment. H,
would not, but that he was in favor Of the
quickest way to cntranclise those who en-
esgedSin rebellion against tbe government
-that,it was not through tho Flick Am
euaUeut Ho appealed to the people mol
to elect US; for said be, elect my opponent,
and Legislature Of bis political scnti,
-ments, and this Amendment will DO pass.
ed and ratified by them, and then the
people Of West Virginia will have negro
suffrage fastened upon them by their con.
stitution, even if the Fifteenth Amendment
10 tho National Constitution should DO re.
Ipealed. Upon this issue, and BY these sp.
peals. beearried the county. beating US by
three huudred,and one majority.
Now, what has he done. He declares
that there is no niger" in the Flick
Amendment, that it Affects none but the
DISTINGUISHED. Virtually, By this net. he
Acknowledges that he deceived the people
,Df this county. to secure his election. MOI
only docs he vote for the Flick Amend
ment, bst be made speech in It's favor,
in which no says, ..if We pass the Flick
Amendment those who ara now disfrauchi
sed will be relieved" lie then goes fur,
.ther and says this Amendment SIS right
mud that it is 'Jua" Why did he no
tell the people ofthis county SO, last fall
We do not wish TO be understood as ii
any WY opposing the ratification Of thi
Amendment, for we wish from the bottom
Of our heart that it may bc.adopted. Gu
object is simply to show up the inconsist
enoy four Representative. who last fall
OOuld apdnothing in the Flick Amendment
but niger" aud after he is elected, see
NO negro 10 1t. but Gays it is fright" an
thatitis Just"
The Secretary Of the Treasury has a
rectcd the Assistant Treasurer at Ne