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


not-for the sake of the Nation ana tue
State, hope NOT / had rejoiccd in the
movement in Western Virginia, as legal.
constitutional and safe refuge from TeT0In-
ton aud auarchy-ls ~ once an example
aud at instrument for the restoration Of all
the revolted States.
have not time now to discuss the sub
iect in its various bearings; What have
written, is written with running pen,
and will need your charitable criticism
III had time think l could give per-
suasive reasons foF declining the attempt
% create new State at this perilous time.
A. another time, might be willing 10 go
folly into the question, but noT can sag
no more.
Most respectfully,
Your ob't serv't,
EDw. BATES.
Mr.. SHIru, Of Marion, then addressed
the Convention in opposition TO an imme-
diate division of the State. The frst part
OF his argument was devoted TO showing
the natural autagoRisD between Eastern
and Western Virginia; an antagonism
of commercial interest, of climate and pro-
duction, of social habits and thoug5t, of
educational modes and even OF religions,
and showed that all these demanded sep
arate governments for the two peoples.
But he contended there were 81 this time
difficulties in the way which he deemed
insuperable.
oae was that division could not now
be obtained in accordance with the inten-
ton of the Constitution of the United Ststes.
he referred 10 the action taken By the
then territory of Vermont in 1871, in its
erection rs q State ont of the territory of
New York aud New Hampshire, and how
its application had been rejected by Con-
gress until the full consent of both OF both
these States had been obtained. Also to
the action taken by a convention during
the year 1884, in what was then the terri
tory of FTankiand, (nOw the State of Ten
nessee,l subject to and part of North Caro-
| lima. This territory, through a conven-
/ ton, made application TO Congress for adj
mission into the Union aud was rejected
on the ground that the consent of the Leg
\ islature of the North Carolina had not
been obtained The result of the attempt
was deplorable State OF civil war which
ended only when that people returned to
their allegiance to the State of North Caro-
/ lima.
He next alluded to the case presented by
the formation of Kentucky out of Virginia,
/ 10 which instance the Legislature of Viz
1
Congress WAS granted upon application, tor
the admission.
From these instances he deduced the
principle that new States to be formed of
\ two other States. or carved or Of any one
| State. must have the full couseat of such
States to their erection.
The speaker proceeded to argue that
such consent OF the people of Virginia
could not now be obtained. That the
+! larger part of the State was in duresS, and
! conld give no expression either through
| representatives or otherwise; and that it
would be both wrong and unconstitutional
to proceed to take advantage Of what he
/ styled a .slegal fiction in order to now oh
/ tain division of the State in opposition
| to the Eastern part of the State, which
was rs much interested in the matter as
ourselves, and had the same r!ght TO be
heard.
Having now assumed to be the State of
| Virginia, they were of course responsible
| for the entire State debt. If they divided
the State and abdicated nil the government
of Virginia, thea, OF course, it wOuld be
running counter TO tine interests on those
who held $4,000 600 Of bonds against the
State, aud all their opposition would have
TO be encountered. THIS was one difficulty
in the way.
His own position was taken boldly, and
was, that division of the State could on
| " he obtained By the consent OF all of
I Virginia, Eastern and Middle, as well as
/ Western, and he argued that when the re-
/ belliou should have been driven out of tue
rest of the State, the power of the govern
ment would be in the hands of different
| class of men in that part of tue State from
/ what it is now, poor men, whose interests
would be identical with our own, who
would be friendly to US, and who, should
we still desire it, give in their consent TO a
separation.
Ia regard to the possible fnilure of the
| United States to sustain itself, division
would in that event make US no better Off,
| for then the Government would not be able
/ to dictate terms, and JET. Davis determine
ed MOTTO surrender one foot of Southern
soil, would sweep away all our imaginary
| lines us if BY n msgieian's wand. But he
had never doubted, and did not now, that
the Government would entirely succeed,
and in that event we were safe anyhow.
AS to the question of slavery, he looked
upon it as a matter of climate and soil.
] When men learned their interests they
would always be governed by them. Had
men taken this view of slavery it would
have saved much bloodshed to the coun-
I try. Slavery WAS coustitutioually right,
but it might not be always practically SO.
He was willing to leave the settlement Of
OF that matter TO a majority, and submit
to whatever might be the decision, but if
this question was ngitated now whilst the
present party was in power, just so sure
would an application for admission be re-
ijected. His plan vas to adopt the present
State constitution with such notifications
,irrhf bn f,nrassarr. and hold eIar.
ton, say October next, to get an express
sior of the people.
After Nr. Smith had concluded his
speech, Of which We are able to give but
very brief synopsis, the Convention took
recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
III. cnnren.inn ransaernhled af haIf