Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-23

zen of the Eastern portion of the State is
sued an address, clothed in all the eloquent
sophistry his genius could command. pur-
porting to prove tue inalienable right of a
State to secede. A member of the U. S.
Senate published threatening edict, to
deter the expression of loyal sentiments at
the polls. Other prominent men visited
the more ignorant portions of the State,
beclouding minds already bewildered. with
the damnable heresy of secession. Every
influence that human potency could WELD
and every machination that human inge-
nuity could devise, was brought to bear to
induce this people to forget their duty to
themselves and their country. But bribes,
threats, promises and entreaties were alike
uuavailing, and, rising above the passions
and prejudices of the hour, they remained
! firm and mistaken in their devotion to the
Constitution and the Union. Bnt the Sc
verest trial was yet to come. When the
Federal troops entered our borders, the
| loyal population anticipated that swiftnnd
terrible retribution for treason would fall
upon the heads of those who had offended.
But how was that anticipation realized
The Government attempted cOnCililtory
measures with the rebels, as though the
laws are to be enforced by flattery and
smiles, and treason punished byguarantees
OF safety. A thousand traitors are cap
tured in arms against their government,
and with kind admonitions are turned forth
to pillage, Plunder and murder the loyal
citizens. Is secession property destroyed
four-fOld restitution is Immediately made.
Are traitorous families fearful of insult
the soldiers of the Union are sent TO pro-
tect the home of treason, and the arms
of the government shield the spot
where rebellion may skulk unharm-
ed. Is the army in need of supplies2
Rebels furnish the desired articles at ten
times their real value, and when the charge
of eXorbitant prices comes to be made,
loyal citizens shoulder the blame. Fur
ther, not content with paying premium
upon downright treason, and giving to re-
beIlion the reward of loyalty, the govern
ment caresses and does homage at the feet
of those who in our darkest days permitted
their fears to overcome their patriotism so
far as to cause them to reel and tOtter with
indecision. The p;oviso Unionists, the
men who were in favor of the execution of
the laws, but opposed the employment of
force; who would subscribe to the doctrine
of coercion as a truism, but deny its ex
pediency," are honored by the AdminIstra-
ton, through its agents, as the true expo
nents of Virginia loyalty, are consulted
are even at liberty to communicate IUith
"fricnds IN The Confederate army" to accom-
pLish lrhich purpose receives the Endorsement Of
the Quartermaster's department at this post,
and is ordered to be delivered to some officer in
the rebel army.
As an instance of favoritism, if not cor
ruptiSn, give you the following:
A certain official was, for some dereIic-
! Il
displaced. He received the endorsement
or Recommendation of a proviso UniOnist,
though afterwards reinstated in his position,
and a member of his endorser's family re-
ceived n lucrative appointment at his
hands. Take another example. A milk
and water loyalist, formerly considered
q SecessiOnist,) was, by some unlucky mis-
chance, sent to the Wheeling Convention.
While there, he opposed and defeated the
proposed distribution of arms among loyal
citizens ut IL time when the demand for
them was imperative. The greater pOr-
ton of our people were thereby left utterly
defeuceleSs and yet when Il Virginia Reg
iment wants IL Quartermaster the man who
would risk the lives of whole section
lest his own might be endangered, is ap-
pointed to the position, there to disgrace
the army and starve his regiment through
his own wretched ineticlency.
These are but few of many instances
l might name. And now, in view of these
facts, | ask has not enough been done to
ALLEVIATE in great measure the affections
of this people from the Government? If
there is u time when disatfection may, ren-
sonably, be expected, it is not when the
Government itself panders to treason and
heaps gilded honors upon Understanding
rebellion n virtue and loyalty crime ?
But though complaining of its injustice,
the people of the North West still yield
to the Government their willing obe-
dience, and support it with their every
energy, lacking neither patriotism nor
courage, as will become evident from a re-
cital of the following facts. When it be-
came evident that Virginia was TO be made
part of the Southern COnfederacy and
the battle ground for contendiug armies, it
was still believed that portion of the
State might be saved to the Union, and
| like the patriarch of old, when he inter-
ceeded for the doomed cities of the plain,
a few loyal patriots of this section applied
themselves to the task of preserving as
much of Virginia as possible from Il fate
even worse than that which befell SodOm
and Gomorrah. Looking to a Convention
| to be held in Wheeling to determine upon
| the best course to be taken in view of the
trying circumstances which surrounded us,
these gentlemen called a general meeting
of the people of Harrison county, to be
held upon the 22d of April, 1861. That
meeting was largely attended, and resulted
in the selection of delegates to meet the
representatives of other counties of the
Northwest in the Convention at Wheeling.
OF that meeting tits scarcely necessary to
speak, further than that forming, as it does
the first link in chair of events which
resulted in the restoration of constitutional
liberty TO a down-trodden section it forms
part of the history of the times and will be
remembered SO long as our posterity shall
enjoy the blessings of that liberty which
it aided to restore. But of the reorganiza-