Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-01-21
I'ho Position of Brooke and Hancock
Coumties-1Ir. Porter's Speech

We would commend to the attention OF
the Hickman Black Republican Force par
ty. whose favoritc idea is that of oYerun-
ming the South and whipping it into sub
mission, the closing speeches in the late
debate in the House of Delegates on 1.-THE
bill arming the State" Mr.. Porter, OF
Brooke and Hancock, which counties form
the narrow strip OF Virginia real estate
which is sandwiched in between Pennsyl-
yania and the Ohio river, and is commonly
called the Panhandle, having made
speech in which he declared that the peo-
ple of the Virginia border counties would
fight aoainstthe South as soon as the North
if she were wrong, was asked at the close
of his remarks whether the people whom
he represented would adopt the sentiment
stYirginia-may she always be right; but
Virginia, right or wrong" To which mr.
Porter responded: "The people, l repent,
will go with Virginia when she is rights
but when she is wrong, will probably beg
leave to differ from her"
We have heretofore called the attention
of Hickman l. Co. to the speech OF Dir.
Yallandigham, of Ohio, in which he de-
clared that in the event of Disunton, the
West would not be tied to the tail OF the
North or South, but set up for itself. Inc
Pacific States would probably do the same,
thus making four Independent cOntedera-
-
and Hancock following suit, which will
make Eve. It is clear from Mr. Porters
admission that Brooke and Hancock would
not 90 with Virginia, if Brooke and Han
cock should consider Virginia wrong
nay, that she would fight the South as
willingly as the North, if the South
tranpled upon the Constitution. We take
it for granted that of this contingent
CIV there need no longer be any appre-
la md Honrnpl- n nOi0O
to protect the Constitution, the North will
desist from its aggressions and the South
will come down as the coon did when
he saw Capt. Scott. We trust, however.
that these two powerful empires NAV be
prevailed upon to remain neutral, as Rus
STA and England did in the Italian war;
We have reason TO hope as much, from
the reply of Mr Porter to the interroga!-
tory propounded to him ut the close of his
speech. Let Hickman L Co. understand,
therefore, that if they undertake to do the
South an injury they need not expect aid
and comfort from Brooke and Hancock,
and let the South be assured that in that
event the Panhandle will not thrust the
Pan into the fire. IT, however. the South
shall be in the wrong, Brooke and Hancock
will beg leave to differ from her, which
leave the South will he constrained, I'M
doubtedly, to accord. The South can have
what it wrong. it being only necessary to
telegraph to Brooke and Hancock and
ascertain what they think aboutit. Fir-
giuia will expect Brooke and Hancock
which are situated in regard to the State
somewhat as gnat upon bulls horn
to keep o bright lookout and sound their
whistle every now and then, SO as to have
the track clear and let the bullgine pass
If the worst comes to the worst, however,
81: IEo-Jo TOinOI &c hurst ny and
the stars of our Confederacy are scattered
like so many sparks from an exploded
rocket, thank heaven, Brooke, Hancock
and the Constitution, will remain.
The above article comprises all of an
article in the Richmond Despatch, paper
professedly neutral, we believe, SO far as
the two parties of Opposition and Demo-
cratic at Richmond are Immediately con-
cerned, but violent even beyond its cotem-
poraries in far away issues, such, for in
stance, as that which it makes with Brooke
aud Hancock counties, through Mr.. Por-
ter, the representative of those two coun-
ties. In other words, it is very brave
paper where it can ride with the tide, and
very lively and funny and sarcastic where
the exercise of any of these characteristics
is likely to go down, without risk to its
patronage-just, for instance, as the Balti-
more Sun is.
Now it may tickle the Richmonders e1-
ceedingly to see their little organ make
fun of Brooke and Hancock, and ridicule
the position of their representative on the
Ar1nory bill. 1t may be quite matter of
Indifference to the Despatch and the one
sided community for which it caters, as to
the public sentiment of those counties, or
of the Panhandle, or even all this part of
tue State, but, nevertheless, it will come
up as question for the practical judg-
ment of the people, US to whether even SO
meagre minority of the public sentiment
of the State as Mr., Porter represents, is
not entitled to dignifed and honest hear
ing. Mr.. Porter is not fool, that his re-
marks should be treated ms those of fool.
Neither are his constituents of that class
who have no voice or mo rights that white
men are bound to respect" Herepresents
people known, where they are known at
all, for their healthful political sentiments;
for their attachment to patriotic no.
lions of government, both State and Ma
ttonal, and it is useless and foolish for the
Richmond Despatch to presume that it can
satarize their honest protest against
manifest dis-Union project into close
mouthed subserviency. The people of
Brooke and Hancock have been provided
by the organic law of the State with a
constitutional voice upon all questions
submitted to the collective representation