The Kingwood chronicle. [volume] (Kingwood, Va. [W. Va.]) 1861-1861, 1861-06-22
NORTH WESTERN VIRGINIA
CONVENTION.

JUNE l3.-The Convention met at the APP
pointed hour, in the United States Court
room, at the Custom House
The sitting was opened with prayer by the
Rev. Wesley Smith Of Wheeling.
The Minutes Of the previous day were read
and, after some trihing amendments, were
approved.
On motion Of Mr.. Burdett, of Taylor, an
opportunity was afforded those delegates who
had arrived since yesterday to take the oath
Several came forward, and the oath was ad-
ministered to them BY the President.
The following counties are represented:
Barbour, Brooke, Cabell, Monongalia
Ohio. Peasants, Ritchie, Preston, Randolph
Tucker, Roane, Taylor, Upsher, Wayne,
Wetzel Writ, Wood, Alexandria, Fairfax
Hampshire Hardy, Doddridge, Tyler, Gil
mer. Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lewis,
Marion Marshall, and Mason
On motion Of Mr. Burdett, the Committee
on business was increased from l3 to L mem
bers
Mr. Calile The committee whose duty
It is to report business for this Convention,
after several hours Of labor have instructed
me to report i declaration hold IN my hand.
We would gladly have had more time for sub
jccts q impartant, but, anxious to show a
disposition to discharge the duties imposed
upon them they have agreed upon this dec
laration. and will as rapidly as practicable, re-
port further business for the action Of the
Convention and hope all matter acted upon
will be returned to them for engrossment.
Mr. Garlic read the foloning
REPRESENTED ~ CONVENTION ~
WHEElING
! Tie true purpose Of all government is to
promote the welfare and provide for the pro
lection and security Of the governed, and
when any form or organization Of government
proves inadequate for. OF subycrsive Of this
purpose, it is the right, it is the duty Of the
lattcrto alter or abolish it. The Bill Of Rights
Of Virginia, framed IL l77776, reaffirmed in
J 1890, and again III 1851. expressly reserves
this right To the majority of her people; and
1 the existing constitution does not confer upon
the General Assembly the power to call 1
Convention t 3 alter its provisions OF to change
the relations Of the Commonwealth, without
j the previously expressed consent OF such ma
jorify The act Of the General Assembly,
/ calling the convention which assembled at
Richmond III February stnwas therefore a
usurpaton and the Convention thus called
has not only abused the powers nominally EN-
trusted to it. but with the conniyance and ac-
tive aid Of the executive, has usurped and
exercised other powers, to the manifest
injury Of the people, which, if permitted,
1 will inevitably subject them to military des-
I potl~m.
/ The Convention b. its pretended ordlnan
ces, has required the people Of Virginia to
l separate from and wage war against the gov
ernment of the United States and against the
citizens of neighboring States, with whom
they have heretofore maintained friendly, So
/ cial and business relations:
/ It has attempted to subvert the Union
/ founded by Washington and his co patriots
in the purer days Of the republic, which has
1 conferred unexampled prosperity upon every
class Of citizens, and upon every section Of the
country
4 1t has attempted to transfer the allegiance
Of the people to an Illegal confederacy Of re-
bellous States, and required their submission
to its pretended edicts and DEGREES
It has attempted to place the whole militia
II force and military operations Of the Com
monwealth under the control and direction OF
such confcderacy, for offensive As well as de-
fensive purposes
1t has in conjunction with the State exec
utive, instituted wherever therusurped pow
er extends, reign Of terror intended to sup
press the free expression Of the will Of the
people, making elections mockery and a
fraud
The same combination, even before the pas
sage Of the pretended ordinance Of secession.
instituted war by the seizure and appropria-
ton of the property Of the Federal Govern
ment, and by organizing and mobilizlng
armies, with the avowed purpose Of captur-
ing or destroying the Capitol Of the Union:
They have attempted to bring the allegiance
Of the people to the United States into direct
conflict with their subordinate allegiance to
the State, thereby making obedience to their
pretended Ordinance, treason against the
/ former
We. therefore, the delegates here assembled
in Convention to devise such measures and
to take such action as the safety and welfare
of the loyal citizens Of Virginia may demand,
having mutually considered the premises, and
viewing with great concern, the deplorable
condition to which this once happy Common