Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-06-17
From the WeIlsburg Horald.I
Prebable ACTON Of inc oonventloI

]
The indications are that the Wheeling
Convention, With, we think, the concur
renee of large majority of tho people of
Western Virginia, will abandon, for the
present ut least. the project for division
of the State, and agree upon the other
alternative that has been frequently dis
cussei, of acting in the name of all Yir-
GINA, declaring the State offices vacant by
the act of rebellion, and tnking measures
to have them re.occupied by men loyal to
the U. s. Constitution, under whose con-
troll the State is to be governed, and the
rebeliion suppressed in the mode aud man
ner pointed out by the Constitution of the
United States. This is the course that
common sense and the natural run of
events seem to point out. 1t is the course
that is in accordance With the law aud
precedent, and that, in particular, does not
conflict with the Constitution of the Uni
ted States,-the genius of our institutions,
or with the sentiment of the masses of the
loyal States. So plainly does it seem in.
deed to be indicated, that it is very doubt
full whether the people of Western Vir-
GINA could now take any other opposition,
Gven if they were SO disposed. The mill
tary movements of the past few weeks on
the part Of the volunteer soldicry of West
ern Virginia, supported by the sOldiery of
the Federal Government acting amicably
together in the same direction, the sup
preston of rebellion and the punishment
of treason, have settled the point already.
We're we disposed, we could not recede
| from the position. 1t is now irrevocably
fixed as a political fact, that the seeding
citizens of the State of Virginia, not
the Stste of Virginia considered as a
sovereignty, are in rebellion against the
laws of Virginia and authority of the
United States Government; that this
Government regards the matter in this
| light; and that it has by its acts de-
monstrated its determination TO suppress
the rebellion and punish the rebels ms
traitors aud ut the same time uphold the
laws of the State and protect in all their
rights NIL the citizens of the State who
declare their loyalty to the United States
! Constitution. This the Government has
done-extended protection to its friends,
punishment to its enemies; Western Vir-
ginia has not only accepted its protection,
but by armed force has assisted in the
punishment of its enemies. How then
could we with any consistency do other
wise than rs is indicated we will do.
After affairs take a more settled shape.
the question of division will probably be
again raised, and may possibly be carried;
but in the present condition of affairs it is
useless folly to talk of any such thing
The present Convention can start OH no
1 other basis than that the seeding portion
of the State is in rebellion, to be put down
by force of arms; and it will have album
dant employment in arranging the details
of the government that is to represent and
sustain the loyalty of the State OF Virginia,
and control the disloyalty. 1t may be a
difficult, we hope it will not be found au
impossible task to erect such government
out of the material at hand.