Year: 1864

As this subject has been exciting consi-
derable interest both inside and outside of
the Legislature, as we'll as having furnished
another pretext for the radical press to dis
pense venom and vitrol upon the traitorous
heads" Of those who dared to oppose it, we
are glad to be able to lay before our readers
the opinion of the Oldest and one of the
most able members of the Senate, on this
subject. 20


This Oath bill is but another fragrant
example of the disposition of the radical
party to break down the constitutional bar
rier in the way of the complete establish
ment of their party principles throughout
the land. The Bill in question is manifest
ly in direct violation of both the constitu-
ton Of the State, and of the United States,
and it is fact not to be overlooked that
every lawyer in the Legislature has taken
decided stand against it. Our own Sena-
tors, Messrs. Bunker and Brown, both able
lawyers, have nobly denounced the usurpa
,ion from first to last. How it has been
with ou representatives in the House we
know nothing, but could probably make a
good guess in regard to one, as net much
is expected from one to whom there has not
much been given.


Senator Raymond, the author of the let
ter we append is, as we have said above,
the oldest member of the Senate; and is not
less respected for his talents, and discretion
upon matters of State, than for his age
1t is natural that he should feel more than
ordinary attachment to that constitution
whose virtue be has tried for almost "three
score years and ten," and for such an at
tachment he is respected by all who know
him.


During the excitement occasioned by the
Morgan raid into Ohio, he was among the
number who shou ldered their muskets and
followed in pursuit, with zeal that would
have done honor to one in the vigor Of
youth. And yet turbulent fanaticism
which has its seat in the brains Of two or
three journalists in this State, would fair
impeach the loyalty of the source, as we'll
as the business Of such an opinion as this
We invite the careful attention of our rea-
ders in its perusal


From the Plsindealer.


Mr.. EDIToR:- Since my return from
Wheeling, have learned that some few of
my constituents land probably Others that
I have not heard off, have complained OF
me because of my vote in the Senate
against the Official Oath bill, as it is called.
ask space in your columns for a brief
statement Of the reasons which governed
me in casting that vote, as do not feel
satisfied that any person or persons who
have reposed confidence in me should think
that had wilfully or heedlessly misrepre-
ssnted them.


After the bill was reported to the Senate,
and finding that should have to act upon
it, ! carefully examined the Constitution
of the United States and the Constitution
of West Virginia, and arrived at the con
clusion that it was contrary to the letter
and spirit of both of them. think so yet;
and having taken solemn cath to support
both of these constitutions, could not do
otherwise than vote against it.


The Constitution of WestlVirginia pro-
vides that the white male citizens of the
State shall be entitled to vote at all cleo
tons held within election districts in which
they respectively reside; but no person
who is minor, or of unsound mind, or .
pauper, or who is under CONVICTION of trea-
SOD, felony, or bribery in an election, or
who hassnot been q citizen Of the State for
enc year, shall be permitted to vote while
such disability continues. By the same
article, persons entitled to vote are eligible
to be elected or appointed TO any State,
county or municipal Office; from which II
is easily seen that the Legislature hss no
constitutional right to require any other
oath than that of supporting the Feder.
and State constitutions, and an Official oath
- necessary to carry out their provisions
--7.y. .a- ss-s ~ sTs q :.