The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-25

ton of the United States, they declared
its only effect would be to enfranchlse
about twenty thousand white citizens OF
this State who had been denied the
right to vote by the proscriptive meas
ures of the Radical party. This was
the sole purpose of the Democratic
party in ratiiyiug that amendment,
which would have been Overwhelmingly
defeated had it not been for its Demo
cratic support. The negroes did not
expect, nor the Democrats intend to
confer the right to hold office by that
amendment, hence there can be no
breach OF faith in the matter. -
1t is said that BY rejecting this
amendment we will endanger any pro-
position for amnesty that may be made;
Sir, cannot see what effect this will
have upon the subject Of amnesty.
Certainly the late Confederates OF this
State have behaved themselves as good
citizens ever since the close OF the war;
and l believe no complaint has been
made against them, personally, on &C:
count OF any act of theirs since that
time. The Government Of the Unlted
States has bad full and ample time to
grant amnesty if it desired to do so;
but it has not done it, and cannot see
that any further act upon their part or
upon ours will commend them to the
favor of q vindictive and tyrannicti
power. 1t seems to me that the tend-
ish thirst for vengeance Of the Radicals
can never be saliated. Their ears are
closed to the cry Of mercy, and tear
they never will realize the enormlty OF
their sin of untorgiveuess until they are
brought before the bar of God, where
mercy is only given to the merciful. l
would not place the slightest obst,cIe IN
the way Of amnesty, but l would not
obtain it, did | need it, by a servlIe
fawning at the feet OF usurped power
Mr.. President, | very much dislike,
in any public assembly, to indulge IN
the discussion of matters Of personal
nature, but, sir, | must notice the re-
marks OF the gentleman from Barbour
(Mr. Woods). He said that IN tins
matter of prescription | was not alto
gether blameless; that | helped to bring
about this state OF affairs and must
share a part OF the responsibility: SIR,
had that remark fallen from the lips OF
the gentleman from Kanawhs (Mr'
Fi,zGugh), or the gentleman from Green
brier (Mr. Mathews), or any other gen.
tleman who proved his devotion TO inc
Les, Cause upon the bloody field,
should have felt the keen thrust more
deeply than | do, coming as it does from
a non-combatapt. exonerate these
brave men from all sympathy or partc'
ipation in that unkind remark. But IS
it true that helped to bring about this
state of affairs? Believing in 1851 as
do now, that the liberties of the people
depended upon the preservation OF the
Union, with the rights OF the States
under the Constitution unimpared, i
proved my faith by my works, and
having assisted in accomplishing the
former | have never ceased to battle for
the latter, although cruelty deserted by
many Of those who stood with me. l
planted myself squarely upon the
famous Critteuden Resolution, THAT
the war is not prosecuted on the part
Of the Government for any purpose OF
conquest or subjugation, but to preserve
the Union and maintain the rights OF
the States under the Constitution unlm-
paired, and when that object is accom-
plished the war ought to cease. This,
sir, was my platform, and as soon as
I had sheathed my sword mounted
the rostrum and plead tor the restora,
ton OF harmony and good feeling, and
protested against the enactment OF any
measure Of proscriptlve character i
was among the first, if not the trst, to
publicly raise my voice against radical
ism in the State, and | think have
done the party and the State some SER
vice, which at least should shield me
from the aspersons of the gentleman
from Barbour. That gentleman says
that l Ought not TO expect this Conven-
ton to forsake the great principles
which underlie this great government
and follow my erratlc counseIs. 1t IS
conclusive from his argument that by the
term great principles he means "equali-
ty of the races" Let me ask, when
did the gentleman become convert to
these great princip'esF Has his re-
cord been so consistent that he can
appeal with confidence to this Conven.
ton TO ignore all that have said aud
implicitly follow his counsels? Sir, !
do not boast OF my record, neither do /
claim to he infallibIe, but | challenge
that gentleman to name one instance Of
inconsistency or wavering fidelity in the
course which have pursued. Letthose
who know us both judge between us.
Mr.. President, l hope that members
Of this body will have the moral cour-
age and self.sacrificing elevation to this
great principe Of selfgovernment, to
throw themselves once more into the
breach; once more raise their hands and
voices in defense Of the right OF the States
to regulate the r own domestic affairs
their own way; help to secure our llber-
ties from the encroacbments OF Federal
power; encourage our brethren Of sister
States to maintain the balance OF power
between the State and Federal Gov.
ernment which was so wisely created
by our fathers; then will the greatness
and glory OF this great Republic sh
forth as the MONDAY sun and the nations
ofthe earth be convinced OF the truth Of
the declaration that man is capable of
self-government, and that republic
can stand the shock Of civil war.