The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-09-26
.RADrCAL RsBELLION PROPOS-
KDIN WEST VIRGINIA.

For some time past there nave oeeh
occasional manifestations on the part OF
members Of the Republican party in
this State of a desire to invoke Federal
interference in matters OF purely State
concern. 1t has been again and again
hunted that the United States Congress
was the proper tribunal to which all OF
our domestic controversies should be
referred for decision; and it has been
pretty plainly animated by Radical
uartissns thsta course OF Congressional
reconstruction" of West Virginia,
after the manner OF several OF the
States farther South, would be emf
nently satisfactory 10 the Radical mind
Upon the slightest possible pretext and
upon no pretext at all these meu stand
always ready to appeal to Congress for
what the people OF the State are I'M
willing to give, and ask Congress to
compel the performance of what the
people are unwilling to do. In their
opinion, the Congress OF the United
States is omuipotent, and the State gov
erpments are mere playthings to be used
or thrown aside or broken to fragments
at the pleasure of the dominant party
in the Federal legislature.
The latest effort on the part OF the
Radicals to induce Congressional inter-
terence in West Virginia affairs is Sc,
forth in the Wheeling Iatel6ysncsr Of
yesterday morning. The election o.
State officers and members OF the Leg
isIature as provided for in the Constiiu-
ton and Schedule which were ratified
by the people on the 22d of August Is
denounced as illegal and the people are
exhorted 10 yield it no recognition what
ever. The present officers are advised
20 resist what the editor is pleased to
term "usurpation" and are counselled
10 hold on TO their offices and refuse to
surrender their functions to the officers
chosen at the election on the 22d OF
August. By this means it 10 hoped
that such a conflict may be created as
will afford the Congress of the United
States some pretext for taking charge
of our State affairs, appointing mill
tsry Governor" declaring martial law,
setting aside the State government en-
tirely, and demonstrating the State
generally after the most approved Rad
ical fashion. This is the programme,
and although only the first step has yet
been openly taken by the revolutionists,
there can be no doubt that the result
we have portrayed is precisely what
they have in contemplation and what
they most earnestly desire.
The argument upon which they base
their claim OF the iuvslid'ty Of the late
election is easily refuted Its, as we
gather from a communication published
in Yesterday mornings InteLEgencer and
styled by the delighted editor IAN I'M
suswerable statement Of the law" that
the ratification Of the Constitution is
not complete nor is the Constitution
operative until that fact is officially
proclaimed by the Governor Of the
State, which has not yet been done;
that the Constitution cannot be made to
have any retrospective operation or e.
feet and, cons, quently, that the cleo
ton Of officers ON the 22d OF August
was without legal authority and is ab
solutelv null and void. 1t is further
claimed that the Convention had no
authority to propose an election for
officers at the time of submitting the
Constitution to the people for ratitica-
ton Or rejection, and that in doing so
It exceeded its legitimate duty. This
is, we believe, a fair statement of the
argument put forth to justify the pres
ent officers in resisting the demands OF
the people and to afford ground for such
conflict as may lead to Congressional
interference and ultimate military "re-
construction"
In the first place, the assertion that a
proclamation by the Governor is neces-
-ary to complete the ratification
of the Constitution and give val
idity to that instrument, Is untrue.
Section 6 of The Schedule which, it
must be borne in mind, was voted upon
by the people and ratified just a. the
Constitution itself was ratified, declares
that ut shall be the duty OF the Gov
eruor pom receiving the said certificates,
or sufficient n,smbsr thereof to enable him
to ascertain HE general resal, to declare
by proclamation; the aggregate vote in
the State for and against the ratifca-
ton of the Constitution and Schedule;
and il itps shall appear from the said
proclamation that q majority OF votes
csst are "a favor of their ratification,
this Constellation and Schedule shall be
operatiys9 erad IN fill force from and in
eh.a;ao ia fourth Thursday Of August
1872, New, it is notorious that a ma
jority of the, votes cast are in favor OF
tho rstifcstion of the Constitution and
- noe rf.LSc ttarY ~ current his