Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-19

and brought to speedy termination, it
would prove a blessing to the people of
Northwestern Virginia, for the reason that
it would compel her people to do what
they never would have done under any
other eircumstances-form a new state
composed of the counties belonging to the
Valley ofthe Ohio. advocated the new
State in nv paper; and attended the Vince
ling Convention which met on the 18th of
May, and there acted with the party who
desired the immediate formation of Pro-
visional Government for the separate State.
We were defeated the Convention adj
journed after passing some resolutions
Feeling that had done all could for the
cause, until after the vote on the ordi-
nance, / went North on private enter
prise, which, ~ successful, intended to
make nsefuis ~ the New State movement.
While at New York IsvEstehed the proesed-
ing of the Convention with hthe,utmost so
licitude, wrote to Mr.. OarIile and other
delegates urging upon the formation of
new State, and when learned that the
Convention had adopted the restoration
plan, felt grieyed, for thought l could
see in that movement a defeat of the sep
arate State and an utter prostratiou of the
hopes of the people of Northwestern Vir-
ginia. Immediately repaired to Wheel
ing, wrote and publisheda card denouncihg
the movement. subsequently being assur-
ed that it was the 6OHdfde intention TO
form new State as soon as prac-
ticable-I succnmbed, and took the
oath to support the restored gov
erument. But was determined to stay ut
Wheeling till the new State Bill passed. /
stayed during the session of the Legisla-
ture, and Notwithstanding we (the new
State men) had bean assured that, so soon
as our U. S. Senators were admitted by
Congress, the Legislature would pass the
bill, it adjourned without passing 1t. Then
the Convention re-assembled. The oppo-
nents of the new State took the ground
that as the Legislature had taken no ac-
ton, the Convection had no right. Not
in the commencement our
people were almost unanimous for the new
State, the Convention was nearly equally
divided, and not until there was n good
prospect for breaking up the body in n
row, did the anti-divisionists give up and
let the bill pass. / stayed at Wheeling all
this time for no other purpose than TO give
what could to the project of division
As soon as the bill passed returned
my paper.
During all the time of my absence
my paper was published, and was
plenty strong enough Union to please me;
/ guess there's no complaint on that score.
When returned home, Ilearned that there
had been great excitement in Mouonga-
liza ever since the Grafton 10dr-that mob
law had existed to some extent, and that
some innocent people had been badly trea
ted, &c.-all of which Ibelieved had ten
dency to injure the Government and its
cause. l determined TO frown down any
disposition to eneourHge such q spirit-I
wanted no man to be punished for opin-
IONS sake-I desired the Government to be
as liberal as possible to its subjects, in or
der that they might continue to appreciate
its blessings; and my paper has been con-
Quoted since my return with this view.
1 also have tried to keep down party
spirit till the war is settled, considering
that paramount to all other questions but
find that the Democrats when they look
into the army crib, or into the machinery
of the Wheeling Government, see so many
coon tails, that it renews all their ancient
indignation against the animal, and it is
pretty hard to keep them down.
Finding that numerous false reports had
been in circulation concerning me in my
absence at Wheeling, | determined that 1
was too poor to work for the public to the
neglect of my private interests, for that
kind of pay. | commenced to busy myself
with my paper and my official business,
and soon thereafter heard that ] was in
dicted for treason at Wheeling. The rest
you know. rat
Now, Fellow-Cltizens, you have my re-
cord on the Union question. Would you
indict me on that letter2 My life has been
threatened by an officer of the State ut
Harper's Ferry. Rewards have been of
fered for my head by the Confederate
Government, yet am indicted by the
Union men for q conspiracy to break up
the Federal Government, If men with
such recordsa as have are the enemies Cf
the Government, God help its friends. l
never stole anything from the Government
How many of its army officials can say
that2 | never asked for an office. How
many of its friends can say thnt2 never
asked it for any favor. Can any of them
say that2 The Southern Confederaoy
would hang me, if it could catch me-but
i shau't give it the chance. And now the
other side is trying me. must be an odd
fish indeed to be so at the outs with both
parties. s7a!l
But, fellow-citizens, several things have
occurred since returned home which have
had tendency to injure me in the eyes of
an excited public. The first is for daring
to differ from the wise men who organized
the Wheeling Government in desiring that
Western Virginia's own ions should plan
her future, instead of following the plan
suggested by Hallet, the author of the Gin
cinnati platform. wauted oplau which
'looked both ways for Sunday" The next
offence was because ] would visit Judge
Thompson, after he refused to take tie
oath to support the Wheeling Government.
am not tue man to give up my personal
friendship for mere differences of opinion,
and am too independent to heed such dis
reputable public sentiment, the offspring
of passion and excitement and not of judg-
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