Year: 1869

Yesterday another article in relation to
; the proper policy of the Republican


party toward ex-rebels. In this article
the discussion takes new turn, and
considers the propriety of establishing


a Test Oath of repentance to take the


place of the existing Test Oath of "loy-


atty" So far as the argument applies


to the general propriety of filling the
body polite with strange oaths, there


can be recognized some apt and foEcible
: points, which while Ty no means new


to Democrats, will prove fresh


and we hope refreshing to the majority


of Republicans in this State. So far as
the argument relates to future Repub-


lican policy, it does not have any pecu.
liar interest for our Democrat readers.


While the Republicans are gravely de-


batting how to get safely rid of their
rebel elephant, it is not to be supposed


that Democrats will be deeply. con.


cerned for their success in hitting upon


the right expedient.


Being at present powerless in the Gev


ernment, the Democracy can neither
furnish welcome nor efficient aid in
solving the great problem. So long as
Republicans are merely considering


whether to adhere to their old policy or
adopt new one, being determined to act
unitedly in any event, good advice,
which at the present stage is all we
have to offer, would be rejected on ac-
count of its origin. Timeo DaaaOs et
dOna fereRtes, is ancient but not always
bad. Whether good OF bad in this case,
our opponents would be apt to hold
that Democratic offerings and counsels
are something to be feared and avoided.
But this need not prevent us from ex-
pressing our views upon the struggle
now going on in the Republican camp;
as neutrals may discuss the prospects of
belligerents, without knowing or caring
whether what they say shall be needed
by either of the parties to the conflict.


The Republican party in West Virginia,
as in all the Southern States, is divided
into liberals and proscriptionists. How
ever united their action, there is no
doubt that on what are known as the
proscriptive measures these classes are
now fairly divided in opinion. So far
as immediate strength is concerned, the
proscriptionists are much the stronger.
They have hold of the party machinery.
The Office-holders, rs q class, are with
them, for, like all men VINO get their!
fingers into the public crib, our West
Virginia officials have no idea higher
than the continued occupancy of their
places. Until, then, the proscriptionistsI
become the weaker element, the office
holders will be with them. When
we remember the immense multitude of
office-holders in West Virginia, and
also that many of them depend for their
places upon the disfranchisement of
their neighbors, we are enabled to form


some idea of the strength of that class


as well as of the energy with which
they will exert it. Then again, the
registration machinery is all in the


hands of the Test Oath people. We are
ready to hope that Governor STEVEN


SONS registration appointments, COM


priSing as they do the bitterest and


most malignant Radicals of the State,


have been made without that thorough


personal knowledge of the situation


which only experience can give to the


Executive. The fact remains, that the
registrars generally are net of the lib


eral type; the registration machinery


is in the hands of the prcscriptionists.
This machinery combined with the
| office holding influence forms no incon-


siderable element of strength. 1t is
] disciplined power, available for almost
any exigency.


On the other hand, the liber-


ais have the intelligence, the hon
: : esty and the respcctability of the Re.
publican party within their ranks.
( They are actively progressive, hate


temporary expedients, and want to tri-
= umph on principle. They are rapidly
developing the idea that they would
. rather be defeated on square issues and
with a free ballot, than win by the main
/, strength and awkwardness of proscrip-
: tion. In the one case no honor would
= be lost, and the future, with many


splendid opportunities for victory,
q would still be before them. In the other,
5 honor must always be sacrificed to vic
u tory, and one defeat means ami
= hilation. Then they have the press
e of their party to back them. There are
l. now in West Virginia but two OF three
N Republican papers that arc square-toed
\. proscriptionists, and every one of the m


Invariably handles the question in such
>. manner as TO betrsy the weakness of its
q cause and disgust every fair minded
& reader. The remainder of our Republi.
10 10 can papers are either openly and earn.
ams as estly advocating 'let up" or backing
. it by silent acquiescence. Then there
IS is the opinion of the Republican party
y elsewhere, now beginning to exert a


tremendous pressure for general amnesty
{, in all the Southern States. To GER
y tain extent the Republicans of Ohio
D. Pennsylvania and other Northern
4. and Western States are being
u y, held responsible for the proscriptive
r. policy of their party here, and the re
10 spons:bility is source of weakness
le This would not be so bad if their sitH
u alton had not removed them from the


passions of the late strife, and therefore
: rendered it impossible for them as un