Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-08-16

+ Government. They were now entirely
/ dependent upon the Government and even
I If now everything were done necessary 70
make division, il would avail nothing
unless assented to by Congress. THIS
could not, therefore, epbarrAss tue Gov
II this State was ever to be divided. it
must be begun sometime b. somebody
F 1t would not divide itself II 1t be SO de-
sirabIe WAS it not their duty here TO IN
I dertake it, aud e Congress refuse they
would have discharged their duty, and he
thought Congress nor 90 one would blame
them for looking 70 their own interests.
This argument Of embarrassing the Cow
eminent reminded him of somebody who
said during the oil excitement that It was
sinful To bore for oil, abecsuse,' said he,
III is evident that Providence placed this
highly inhammaoie substance in Ii bow
els OF the earth to assist in the general
I conhagration of the world, and if You
/ keep on you will ge; it all out directly and
I the N You will defeat the designs of Provi-
dcnce." Laughter.l He believed Con-
/ gress would in good time sanction huy
proper division that might be made, and
he thought the Convention should not Rd-
journ without taking some step TO meet
the expectations of the people.
Mr. LEWIS obtained the foor and Eaid
that early in this contest, forced upon :he
loyal people of this county, it was his
fortune TO have been regarded as lOyal,and
in several canvasses to assist iu staying the
hand OF rebellion.
The meeting WAS held in Clarksburg to
call the Convention here in Wheeling. He
had been appointed to the Convention, but
declined because he had under- TODD it was
called TO organize a provisional govern
ment for Northwestern Virginia alone.
When theConvention vas irst assembled
here it WAS for the purpose of dividing the
State, and fthey now failed TO do this they
would defeat the purpose, and the only one,
the people had in calling together this
Convention. lie had listened with plea
sure to the ingeuious and able speeches
that had been made here by his friends
from Wood and Marion. lie had been
pleased with that portion OF their speeches
depicting the condition and wrongs OF
Western Virginia, and that part showing
that we had practical. constitutional
government here, fully recognized as such.
The gentleman from Marion told them he
was ready to divide the State whenever it
could be done cousiitutiouaily, aud accord
ing 10 the gentleman from Wood. it had all
the power that any government Of the
State could have. II SO, where is the diff.
entity upon Constitutional ground2
They had warned their eastern brethren
that they had not the power 10 protect US
here; and after the ordinance of secession
passed civil goyernpeat vas pOwerless
here, anh they were forced to form gov
eminent here for their own protection.
He referred to the Language of Letcher
prohibiting the expectation of provisions,
and said We had not had Republican gov
Z until fh,s nua was formed and II
was right to establish Que, aud the duty OF
the General Government to protect US in
thst Government.
Well, how long did gentlemen expect
this provisional government here TO last?
lie believed it WAS intended to last six
months. Did they propose TO follow the ex-
ample of tne Confederate States and keep
ihe people under provisional Government
in which they had no voice.
Did his friends vino had spoken. propose
that this provisional government, in which
tine people had not had as much voice a.
they desired, should last until this revolu-
ton should come TO \ close? He admitted
the necessity OF the establishment of this
that necessity had passed away, let the
government expire. Who could tell when
this great question shopld be settled, and
shall our people be deprived TIL then of
their rights in representative govern
ment?
Mr.. VAN WGxkIE said it was not called
n provisional government. # was TO ter
inmate in six months. 1t was temporary
only in its executive.
Mr.. LEWIS inquired what was then to he
done when the six months were out
when was it 10 come back to the represen-
tative character2 II l; was now in their
power to bring it back to that, in tie name
OF the people of this country, and of rep
iresentative government, he demanded it
should be done.
He admitted there were difficulties. But
what great achievement did not encounter
difficulties But were the people TO oe
tIWarted from their wishes because there
were difficulties! What disposition was
to be made of the public debt? The Sc
cessionisls, by their own former action,
are committed to the adjustment of such
matters by commissioners, for the Southern
ConfederNcy made proposition to adjust
by commissioners, the accounts between
them and the Government.
He went on to show how much the West
had contributed to the Improvements Of
the east, and declared that they did not
owe the east dollar. He proposed to
charge the counties with all they had re-
ceived and credit them with all they had
Furnished. Then let every fair demand
be met that might be made upon the gov
crnment.
As tor the question of slavery. he did
not think it worth while to blink it
Gentlemen wereiu the habit OF npoIogizing
for speaking of this question. 1t had
been mooted here, il WAS a question of
magnitude, but one, he theught, that ought
tn create no tlifFicult- at this time Were
they willing TO make sacrifices for the
greatest good to the greatest .number!-
Time with the practical operations of in
tsrest would dispose of that question in
Northwestern Virginia Let the iustitu-
ton of the State be as it Was now without
the dottiug ofan ''i' or the crossing off -; p
He had resissad Rebellion hecnnsn he he