Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-04
The Late Election and the Rs-Estab-
IIshed State Government.
ClARKsBuRaH, Oct. z, 1861.

the vote given at the election for county
aud judicial officers at the election on the
2Tth ult., is being seized upon with avidity
by our secessionists, and construed as
eVincing dissatisfaction on the part of the
neOple with the Provisional Government,
aud n distrust Of its power to sustain it
self, Notwithstanding it is backed by the
power Of the Federal Government. Many
Of them are beginning TO grumble over It,
and allege that the result Of this election,
in its failure to eduee the popular suffrage,
| is an oIhinous commentary on the popular
estimation of the Wheeling government.
That the people arc reluctant to put their
necks into the halter. That, having COM
mitted no treason against the General Gov
ernment, they are minded to be careful
that they do not commit treason against
the State, &c, &c.
Only this morning heard very INTEL
ligent and shrewd gentleman chaekling
over the result Of the election, and em6old.
cneL by his views of the cause of the thin
vote, openly and In unmeasured terms, de-
nOuneing the Wheeling goveFnmfpt rs a
usurpatiOn, = weak and despicable thing,
evidently looking forward to the time, and
that not very distant, when It will either
be repudiated by the people or overthrow
by the arms of the Southern Confederacy.
The secessionists generally, since the
election, are disposed to regard rs days
as numbered. Now, inasmuch as this is a
matter In which great many people are
interested, it may be worth while to con-
slider whether this Is the most plausible
reason that can be assigned for the small
ness of the vote on that occasion, and then
take au honest, square look At the position
of the men who are seeking to console
themselves and make capital out of it
And in regard TO the first proposition, it
is not too much to say, that there are sew
ersil reasons 70 be assigned for the small
ness Of the vote, that have far greater
show Of FEASIBILITY than the one sought
to be assigned.
Ia the first place, we will observe that
the people have become accustomed to the
idea that the civil authority has been bro
ken down, and that the state of anarchy
and military rule consequent upon this,
must Necessarily last until the contest, in
Western Virginia at least, shall have been
decided. Hence feeling of uncertainty,
aud want Of confidence, that is calculated
70 beget indifference as to the result OF
county elections.
Again, the general Impression amongst
our people is that we are going to have a
new State, and hence the conviction that
the recent election was a matter of minor
importance, from its temporary character.
Or in other words from the force of the
above considerations on the public mind,
the general conclusion was reached that
the time had not yet arrived for n perua-
nent organization of the civil power.
Then another consideration of weight
is the fact of the paucity of newspapers.
by which the public arc not only reminded
of election occasions, but stirred up by ev-
cry consideration to the discharge of the
duty. of exercising the right Of suffrage. II
is well known fact that that but few
newspapers are now published in Western
Virginia, bat il Is not so well known that
outside Of our towns, and away from our
leading thorOughasares, not more than one
family out OF six, throughout the whole
OF Western Virginia Hre in the receipt or a
newspaper.
An extensive intercourse with the peo-
pie Of many counties, has led me TO this
\ conclusion, and, lamsntAble as this fact is,
! it is-yet, nevertheless, far less evil than
was the circulation of such papers as were
most Of those which the people were ac-
eustomed to receive and read, before the
Institutions of the country received the
jar that has disarrangeil them for the pres
ent. Ii should, however, be an object Of
our country aud Of free Institutions to
secure tho establishment and circulation
Of good, sound papers Of every point where
they eau be supported that shall carry re-
liable information, and inculcate correct
views IN regard to public affairs through
6ntevery community ia Western Virginia,
But there was yet another reason for the
smalluess OF the vote; the day Was Of the
most uufayorable character, having been
a day Of ineessaut aud hard rain through.
ont Northwestern Virginia. The oulS
wonder is that so many mot so few
shouId hare felt Sufficient interest in the
election 70 have induced them to turn out
on such day.
Now for a word tnregard to the position
OF those who manifest so much readiness
TO put q construction on this circumstance,
favorable 70 their own viewsNnd wishes, aud
somaeh lorwarduess TO dsnounes the Wheel
ing government. Amongst these are some
men who endsayOr TO pass for Union mpn,
thus rendering Il mora Important that their
lposition should be exposed, lest the guise
which they assume should enable them to
fImpose on the weak asd the .credulous.-