Year: 1870

Mr. Speaker, I have been moved 10
say this much by Eealous desire for the
welfare OF the State, and by my sympa.
thies for a people who are yet doomed
to suffer the impositions of this in
iquitous registry law.


And l hesitate not to tell you, Repub-
licaps who hold the power Of the State,
that il is not only sin but crime for
you to pursue your vengeance longer
against these rebels as you call them.
Every moral aud humane influence lifts
voice against you in doing so. II is
painfully amusing TO hear Radicals say
that prescription is no punishment
that il is only intended as q safeguard
to the State. Is it not sheer nonsense
TO say that such q safeguard Is needed 7
And is not the exclusion Of the dearest
aud most sacred rights belonging 10 ns
no punishment Such reasoning should
be laughed to ecorn.


| Mr.. Speaker, in conclusion let me
again beseech of the Republicans of
this House 10 unloosen the fetters which
bind down so many of our citizens Of
this State, lest at some future day the
door Of mercy be closed against them,
Let nae again remind them that they
can lose nothing by being magnanimous
at this time. Let me again say 70 them
that the fairest of all names that have
adorned history's pages-names that
shine with all the effulgence of the stars
of Gods blue ornament, are those Of men
who freely forgaye all injury in the days
Of their triumph. But should the Re-
publicans of this State reject all our
supplications; should you treat with
contempt oil overtnres OF peace with
these people, Just Providence will not
let you rule much longer, and when
gone it will be said of you that you
"lourished without fruit and died with.
out regret May God in his mercy
soon release these people from their sor.
rows.


Fellow representatives, but q single
remark further. cannot see why
West Virginia should not reflect a.
bright a lustre rs any star upon our
national banner. Although small in
area, yet she may assume an equality
with any Of the States Of the Union.
Minerals of oil kinds aud Of the rarest
quality sleep undisturbed beneath her
depths. Railroads will soon penetrate
her very centre, furnishing easy outlets
to her rich products. Schools Of tho
finest order have been erected all over
the State. Splendid asylums, peniten.
tiaries aud prisons recognize the pub
lie spirit Of her people. The pauper has
ample provision made for him. The only
thing l can see that yet dsrkons
her escutcheon-that hinders her un-
surpassed development and prosperity
lis the iniquitiousl abridgement Of the
liberties Of thousands Of my fellow cit.
izens But once remove this proscrip-
tion and the wheel of our Advancement
| assure you will spring forward with
tenfold its former velocity. Open TO
those thus prescribed the door to these
highborn privileges of the ballot aud s{-s
foe and you will bury all strife now b. ..
tween parties and unto cvery discordant
element Of our society. Every industrial
pursuit in our midst will advance with
quickened pace and general harmony
will prevail.


Such, Mr.. Speaker, are my views very
imperfeclly expressed uROn the registra-
tion system Of this State, and l insist
that they are consistent with q spirit Of
genuine loyalty to my country.