The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-08-15
A few Reasons Why the New Consti-
tuition Should be Ratified.


to our many readers. aud ask for it a care
fal perusal. Ynu will 6nd it most ex-
cellcD, letter, ard many reasons are given
why we should all vote, irrespective of
party, for the ratification Of the New Con-
sttution The letter is from the pen Of
one Of West Vrginin's biightes, in,ellec's;
and being SO well and ably written, we
have given it this prominence:
The people Of Yves: Virginia are called
upon to choose between two Constitutions
Of government, Their decision is to have
q most important influence upon the vel
fare Of the State for many years to come
We have just escaped q hraldcm from
which, u few years ago, We thought moth
Ing shrrt Of miracle could release US. =
The people arc now free. and it will be
their own fault in the coming election if
they do not remain free.
Let i, be remembered that rejection Of
the new, is a choice of the old constitution
Before The Democracy does this, let them
look well to the consequences. Can they
have forgotten the laws that we're enacted
under the old constitution, and that those
laws were pronounced by the then domi-
nant party to be in strict conformity with
it? Can they deem themselves secure Of
their liberties while that constitution is 10
force? let them be assured there is no
safety but in its repeal.
Onc year ago the people we're aeitated
BY the question, shall We 90 into Conven-
ton to amend the constitution? The par
ty just disp|nccd from power-powcr
which they had ou'ragconsly abuscl-yo
ted almost to man against the convention
They dreaded reform, and, knowing that
convention would disp'ace all officers aud
reudera new election necessary for all, they
saw little chance Of rc.eleclng their fifteen
judges aud other officers. Hence their
opposition. Then, however, as nov, they
did not give their real rcasous for their
course. They addressed Democrats with
reasons that would influence Democrats, -
They are doing the sane thing now -
Their true reasons for voting against the
constitution are two: First, The constitu-
ton was made by Democrats and the sue.
cess of the Democratic party depends up.
on its ratification. ScconG. Il the corst.
tuition is ratified Radical officers go out of
Office with very little chance election
We all remember how Radicals Piled US
with evil prophecies as to what would be
done if we should 90 into convepton. all
political power was to be seized by rebels
Rebels were to monopolize the Offices
Vinlictivcness and sclGshncss were again
to rule supreme The rebel was to retail
ate all his grievances upon the Radical. =
Strife was to be renewed, but this time the
aggrcssor aud the wrong docr was to be
the Democrat, and not the Radical, &C.
Not one of their prophecies has been full
filed Now they are equally full of$lse
prophecies, and fuller still Of insidious
Misrepresentation Of the new constitution.
People of West Virginia, do no, listen to
them,
The convention has made a just, a fair
constitution which bears upon all alike
making not the slightest distinction between
parties, and accomplishing every reform
demanded by the people. 1t covers all
with its protecting psis 1t viudica'es
and establishes the rights of all upon the
true principles Of representative govern
ment.
We had crying evils in the form Of test
oaths, which prevented men from voting;
which excluded men from the courts Of
justice; which prevented men from pursu.
ins their own proper vocation We bad
registration law which gave power to a
few meu to iislranchise whomsOever they
chose We had constitution which al
lowed the suspension ofthe privilege Of the
writ of hajeasco,pas; which allowed life,
liberty aud property to be takenwithout pro-
cess of law; which allowed a nan to be taken
away from hisowo county to be tried for Of.
fences charged against him; which allowed
the legislature to re.unite the States Of
Virginia and West Virginia; which des.
t;oyed the independence of the judiciary
aud made it the puppet Of the legislature;