Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-01-23
tROr the IateilIseacor.l


ssSTAAS AND bVHlRhSsU
Htssrs EdjtOrs:-An inquiry was made
in your paper of the 21st inst, over the
above signature, in reference to "my sen-
timents concerning the present political
state of the country, and il l am in favor
of sustaining our hitherto free and happy
institutions" had hoped that my po-
sitiUn was so well understood BY all my
acquaintances throughout tue county, MS
to have precluded the superstition that
any other than an affirmative answer could
possibly be given to the latter part of the
inquiry. regard the American Union
as Union of tue people, not coutedera-
cy of States, and as such the most perfect
Union that any people have ever formed;
and our inimitabIe constitution, which
prescribes the object, scope, design and
purposes of this Union, the highest emA-
nation of human wisdom the world has
eyer seen; and US it is the 6rst instance of
government deliberately formed by the
people for whose benefit 1t was intended,
so is it the best: and under its benign in
tlncnce, no other nation in the history Of
our race, has ever made such rapid pro-
gress in all that makes life desirable or
promises happiness to mankind and can
only regard the man who would seek its
destruction, as traitor to his country and
a traitor TO mankind.
Concerning the present political state
OF the country, all mnst admit there is
great reason for anxiety, and much ground
for difference of opinion, aud each one
may well ask, "who is sufficient for these
things!r realize that in the present
condition of affairs much will depend on
the course Virginia shall adopt, If she
be found fhithful-Rnd who can doubt it,
to herself and the Union, all mny be saved.
If she wEvers and turns her back on the
work of her own hands, all is lost aud the
dial OF human progress goes backward,
and the hopes of humanity arc blasted for
untold ages. Therefore tie necessity, the
stern unbending necessity, that uoue but
Union men, sound to the core, should be
found in the approaching convention.
Nor can l conceive that loyalty to the
Union is want of fcalty to Virginia. 1
should despise myself and count myself
unworthy to be numbered among her soEs,
which has ever been my pride and my
boast, If did not feel that every rnlsntion
and instinct of my nature beat warmly and
undoubtedly for the welfare of our good
old Commonwealth; and while would not
relinquish single fraction of her rights.
| unhesitatingly believe that every interest
and every right, can better be secured and
maintained in the Union than out; and that
disuuiOn so far from being remedy for
| any evil, is the Pandora's boxof all evils.
In comparison with this question of
Union or Disunion, all other questions
that can come before the Convention are of
minor Importance. have ever regarded
the tax on salaries as onGrous and unjust,
aud now that it has taken, under the last
Legislature, the form of n tax on manual
labor, | regard it as peculiarly oppressive,
and wholly nnwnrranted by tho spirit of
the Constitution, and should at once be
expunged. Wages can in no -enSe be con
sidered property, and therefore are not
! proper subject of taxation. Our law of
taxation should be further amended. so
that taxation shall be equal and uniform
throughout the Commonwealth, and all
property without exception, shall be taxed
in proportion to its value.
The basis OF representation will consti-
tntionnlly come mp for adjustment in 1865,
and therefore may properly no left for ac-
ton until that time; but should it come
before the Convention, should, on the
principle that it is the man, and not the
| property, that votes, decidedly prefer the
Suffrage Basisn in both the Senate and
House of Delegates; that is, according to
tho voters in the several counties, cities,
towns, aud districts of the Commonwealth.
Any act of the Convention making
/ "a hhu VI BtAtAAN Jaw Va AuG SAuLG1
whether eTccling Our Federal relations or
otherwise, should, under any and all cir
cumstances, be submitted to the people for
ratification or rejection, before assuming
the validity of law.
With reference to n possible division of
she State, regard it as l do secession
in the Union, AS something not to be
thought Of, or talked of, remedy intin-
itely worse than the disease. Virginia to
act effectively, must act as a unit; and 1
t:ust that in this her great emergency, in
this her great trial, and hope glorious
destiny, to be the preserver, rs she has
in great part been the builder of this mag
nilicent Union, her sons may see eye to
eye, and stand shoulder to shoulder.
have thus stated my views as briefly as
possible, in Difference to the request that
has been made, and not with view of Of
fering myself as n candidate for the Con-
vention. for there are ulready two gentle
men in nomination, that have my hearty
approval, and shall have my undivided
support. For cannot, even 10 crafty my
friends, whose courtesy gratefully nc
knowledge, consent to divide tho vote,
which trust will be concentrated in the
election of Sound Union men,
G. D. HURpARD.
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