Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-01-29
q TRrEw EsTEnN vIReIgIAN.

lng Deen nominated by large meeting OF
the Union party of this county, held at
Grafton, on the 18th inst, as their candi-
date in the approaching Convention, and
as the election takes place on the 4th day
Of February next two weeks from to-day
il will he impossible for me to see you all,
!, therefore, avail myself of this method Of
addressing you on the important subjects
involved in the call of the Convention, the
great object Of which seems to be to drag
Virginia ont of the Union, and by seces-
sion to hitch her sud her people ''on to
South Carolina, State in actual rebellion
and war against our Federal Government.
Yet those opposed to me, who favor seCes-
sion, and thus produce war, are falsely en-
deavoriug Ia attribute the blame to NC.
and charge that am for war.
This is strangel As friend OF Bell in
the late Presidential canvass, adopted
the motto of that party-to wit. THE
Union, the Constitution, and the enforce
ment of the Laws"-aHd now, because
viii not repudihte that sentiment, am to
! be hunted down as traitor to my cOur-
try. lf you would avoid war, you must
I prevent separate State secession. and yield
10 said and comfort to the traitorous
scheme of destroying the beet government
ever devised by man; and in the language
Of Andrew Jackson, swear "by the Eter-
/ nal" the Union must and shall be preSer-
we'd! ALI the great men of ali parties
we're opposed to seceSsion-Clay, Webster,
Jefferson, Madison, &c.,-aud they all con-
sidered II Revolution.
| As already stated, l am in favor of the
! "UniOn, the Constitution, and the Enforce
| ment of the Lava" and opposed TO war
of father against son, of brother against
brother, Of Reighbor gaipst neighbor; and
IL elected, will use all honorable means,
TO the extent of my humble ability, to Sc
cure and maintain uninpaired, the integri-
| " and peace Of our distracted country.
Important changes will be proposed in
the Convention, in your Organic Law, such
as equaliZing taxation aud representation.
The WsSterH portion Of YirSiaia AGs, at this
moment, more cavss Of complaint GSdinSt tie
| Eastern portion Of lie State, than the South
hdI GgdiRSt the North. Millions of dollars
of the property of the East, iu negroes,
being exempted from taxation, which ia
made up to the Treasury By taxing the
lands and cattle of the West The Senate
should be placed on white basis. If our
| Eastern brethren would have us to be loyal
| citizens, and beAr arms in defence of their
negro property, they must reform the abuses
here referred to, and no longer compel the
free white population of Western Virginia
/ to he hewerS of wood and drawers of water;
and nothing short of II tax bill on the adj
UdloIcm principle, embracing oil the me-
! groes of tie State, will redress the gricv-
aiice. y resolution appropriating one
million of dollars for arming the Stale
/ has been passed by the present Legisla-
| ture, all for the defence Of the East, the
West being uHegUally tarsd for TIE protection
u Eastern property, another specimen IF Un-
| equal taxation put on uS 10 aid in dragging
| NJ fbSk yr1oV
States. Mr.. Jefferson declared that the
object of the Constitution was to form and
perpetuate more perfect Union of the
States, which, It seems, is now to be torn
assundcr by set of broken. down pOliti-
I clans who were in their mothers laps
while ''your Revolutionary Fathers were
marching barGfOoted and bleeding over the
frozen ground, to secure the blessings of
civil, political and religious liberty, which
| we now enjoy" A man of common-sense
will calmly sit down and count the cost
before be pulls down his old house and
undertakes 70 build new one; but in this
case, it dOes seem that there are traitors in
our midst who have so little regard for the
| great temple of Liberty erected by our
rorenNthers, that they are willing to aid in
its destruction, even If it involves the de-
sLruetion of the last hopo of freedom for
the oppressed of all nations of the earth.
And you will get your Bill of Costs out OF
An additional saddle pocket of the sheriff,
for one pair will not be sufficient after
Virginia has seeded.
Already South Carolina has added a tax
Of S45 on each of her tax-pnying citizens,
and this has been done for causes insult
Gent to Justify SECESSION which action on
her part has redressed no grievance, but
Is intended 10 compel US, of Virginia. to
abandon her right in the Union for the
sake Of preserving, at the cost ofour rights,
tho interests Of the Cotton Slater, instead
of staying in the Union. as Mr.. Wise adj
Vises, and thus compel Northern States
that have nullifed the Constitution to be
just. You eau, If you must, fight in the
Union for the sake Of the Union.
Ny opponent iVW claim to beG Union man,
but his cORUersioR Is too suIicn. he u a
s7oif IN shesp'S clothing; put him on probation
before trusting him IN Virginia C0RventioA.
1hess seee'siORiSle 90 INTO you Court HOWIes,
aud rOte for and adopt secession resolutions:
but Iehsl PIrginid CoHreRiioH is IN Siyhl,
too, are in tdroT Of fhe Union. notleiihstaad-
ing their daily talk for the treskS past gre
tie lie to their declaration.
have lived among you for forty years,
and my claims to office ought to be as good
as that of gentleman lrho8e feelings Ne cas-.
Of the Blue Ridge, and upon whom you
have already conferred the Office OF Attor-
ney for the CommOnwealtL-"Oue st n
time, and they will last lnoger."
In conclusion, my humble efforts, IL um
elected, will be found on the side OF my
country, I" eradication Of ::ike St0rs and
SfriPe', and in endeyoring best to promote
the interests Of cOniiding constituency.
Grateful for past tayors, hope never to
prove recreant to any trust which the PEG
PIE OF my native county mAy, In their
pleasure, confer upon me.
Your felloW.citizen,
JNo. 5. BrRDETT,
PruntytOwn, Va, January 4th, 1861.
The plan OF a sOuthern Coafederaey.
BALTIMORE, Jan. -, 1861.