Year: 1870

From the Parkersburg Times, CRep pN Jan 81


Registr alton.


The pressure brought by public opin-
ion against our present registration
laws and the partisan manner of their
execution, had the effect upon the Judi.
ciary committee of the House of Dele
gates of almost compelling them to pre-.
pare new bill, devoid of the objection
able features. We publish that bill; it
was introduced by Mr.. J. Il. Bowyer, of
Putnam, who is, if we are not mistaken,
q liberal Republican.


We have carefully perused the bill;
have no objections TO offer against the


largest part of it; but must disagree
with part 10th, as it imposes the taking
of test oath. 1t is our opinion that
the requiring of such oaths will again
lead to serious objections, unpleasant,
heated discussions, and keep the bitter
feeling, so long unnecessarily fomented,
alive. The necessity of taking such an
oath, before admitted to registration,
would again exclude a good many of
our best citizens, against whom there is
no other charge than that they aided
their sons or relatives in the rebel army
with some money, clothing, victuals,
ETC., though they resided amongst US
during the war and performed all the
duties of loyal citizens. Such men may
have conscientious scruples of taking
such an oath, while others, less scrupu-
lous, even if they were guilty of dis.
loyalty, might take several such oaths
with the least compunctien of con-
science.


1t is high time that we do away with
similar oaths; they will and cannot do
any good. The Fifteenth Amendment
is pretty near an accomplished fact, and
rs even the proscriptionists expressed q
willingness to have, in the event of the
ratification of it, the disfranchisiDg
amendment repealed, why not hasten
toward accomplishing that end and re-
store by an act of magnanimity bar
mony among the citizens of our State


We are particularly anxious that our
liberal Republican friends take the lead
on this question and strive to eliminate
from our statute book all laws breath
ing partisan spirit, always remember
ing that the present registration law is
a two edged sword, if left under the
autocratic will of the Executive.
Times are rapidly changing, the popular
waves may turn against our party, and
then we shall be left to the mercy of our
opponents. We beseech our Republi-
can friends to weigh this subject care
fully, before they irretrievably ruin our
party by stubbornly clinging to exclu-
sive legislation, or rash and harsh de.
nial of the dearest right of an American
citizen.


The eyes Of the people of our State
arc closely watching the actions of our
Legislature; the sentiment is universal
that all test oaths should be repealed.
Do not let us behold the spectacle of a
long file of colored citizens voting,
while a large class of white citizens.
some of them the former masters of the
voting colored persons, are scornfully
deprived of the same right.


As the discussion of this bill will take
place on Wednesday next, we take the
liberty of exhorting all Republicans to
rise above partisanship and establish
record, for which they never will have
occasion to blush. The time, gentle
men, has come for the repeal of ali vim
dictive measures. Read over again, be-
fore you cast your vote, these signifi-
cant passages in the Governors mes
sage.


The experience of other States seem
to establish the fact that the most GER
tain method of doing this, is a thorough
aud impartial registration of the legal
voters, Immediately preceding the time
Of holding elections.


This much is certain: that the high
est interests of the State are best pro-
NOTED, q more ready obedience to the
laws secured, and better spirit inspired
among the people, when all the citizens,
without distinction Of party, are pro-
tected in the peaceful and lawful exer-
else of their right to vote, and when
the purity Of the ballot-box is most
vigilantly guarded.


Now 10 the time to strengthen our
party; it 10 golden opportunity; do
not allow yourself to be driven By the
whip of partisansh'p into the illusion
that only Convention has q right to
determine upon this important subject;
liberal Repablinans particularly should
keep in mind that they were elected as
the representatives of liberal views,
who in fact are. pledged to the repeal OF
AL odious laws. We hope they win keep
their pledges.