Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-12-03
Governors Message.
Gentlemen Of tie Senate and
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pie may require; and the Constitution pro-
Tides that shall communicate to you the
condition of the Commonwealth, and re-
commend such measures as may deem ex-
pedient-
mon the termination of the great civil war,
i with which it has pleased Divine PEovt-
dense to chasten the pride Of the American
people. 1t still RACES in our midst, and
around our very homes. But year ago.
no nation was more prosperous than tins.
Peace, happiness aud prosperity prevailed
throughout the land. Every right was Sc
cureSeven the claim of the STAKEHOLDER to
the service of the slave was adequately pro-
tected Now, along vast frontier, from
the capital of the nation to the western
boundary of Missouri. armies numbered by
the hundred thousand, are arrayed against
each other. A war of gigantic proportions
has been forced upon US. The elements OF
civil society have been broken up. Brother
is arrayed against brother, and father
against son; and rapine and murder are
desolating the land.
And Why is this2 Why has this great
evil been brought upon u.s. upon the
pretext that the right of the Shareholder to
the service OF his slave was not sufficiently
/ protected under the Government of the
United States And is it better secured
now? Upon the pretext that the institu-
ton of slavery was not secure enough
under the Constitution Of the Union.-
Aud has rebellion rendered it more
safe? Let US not be deceived. The cry of
abOlitonism has been used by party lead
crs to excite and madden the people of the
South, till they knew not what they were
doing. They have been inflamed by the
apprehension of imaginary dangers to
Southern rights, till, in their blindness.
they have sought to throw aside the pro-
lection OF the Constitution-the best safe
guard OF the very rights they were so nnx.
lions to maintain. a set Of desperate and
uuprincipied patty leaders in the South,
who have long controlled the destinies of
the nation, have seen the power they have
hitherto welded, slipping from their hands,
and 70 obtain the objects of their own per-.
sonal ambition-wealth, houors and dis
tinction for themselves-hare perpetrated
this great crime.
/ Yet, amidst the clouds which are i'm
4 pending over the country, we may discover
some patches of clear sky, which afford
reason to hope that the storm is abating.
The tide Of rebellion, which seemed des-
tined to sweep with resistleSs fury over the
A land, Is at length recediug. The exsrava-
CANT predictions of the rebel leaders have
A been disappointed. When duringthe bonn
War of the Confederate States announced
that their flag HWould float over the dome
of the old Capitol at Washington before the
first OF May, and might float eventually
over Faneuil Hall itself" the prediction
\ seemed not impossible, for the Government
OF the Union was then defenceless- Treas
on had been long and secretly ut work,
and had done its work we'll. The nation
was disorganized. No one could tell who
| was to be trusted, or how far the rami6ca-
tons, of the vast conspiracy extended.
Every measure had been taken to render the
| army and navy inefficient. Munitions Of war
had been transferred in vast quantities into
the hands Of rebels, and the fortresses given
up to traitors. In the halls Of Congress
men who had sworn to support the constt-
tuition of the United States, were conspir-
\ ing to overthrow that constitution, and
were tolerated in preaching treason. The
history of the world may be searched in
vain for anything to parallel the scenes of
treachery which were exhibited during
that dark period.
But uobly have the American people re-
sponded tn the appeal which was made to
them to rally to the support of the govern
/ ment. It is their govern
ment of the people-and the result has
shown that they will maintain it against
conspiracy and treason. The President,
from whatever party selected, is their Pres
ident. That high officer is now, believe,
honestly, earnestly, and with his whole
heart, engaged in the work of maintaining
and restoring the Constitution and the
4 Union, discarding all party views and mea.
sures in conflict with this great object
He deserves, and will receive, therefore,
every assistance we can give him. Upon
the call of the President, and under the
patriotic legislation of Congress, an army
of hys hundred thousand men have rallied
to the defense of the Union. No man has
been pressed or drafted into the service.
All are volunteers. 1t is the voluntary
rally of great people to the support of
the government of their choice, and we.
may Justly be proud of it. 1t is with
pleasure, too, that inform you that the
portion of Virginia in which the authority
of the re-orgauiZed State Government pre-
walls, has, in proportion to its population,
contributed its full quota to- the grand ar
my of the Union. That armyi is being rap
Idly disciplined; and supplied with every
lthing which is necessary to the comfort
and efficiency of the soldier. The Amer
lean people have not been accustomed to
it. Our officers and soldiers have still
! much to learn, aud the stake is too vast to
be hazarded before every possible prccau-
ton has been taken to ensure success.
If We review the events which have oc-
Cured since your special session, we shall
find many causes for congratulating our
selves on the success of our arms. We
have been repeatedly told that Western
Virginia would soon be overrun and sub
ljugated by the Confederate armies, our
property coniscated and ourselves driven
f:om our homes. or subjected to the penal
ties of treason. Wise, Floyd and Lee were
in their turn to accomplish this work.
y ThRy have have owed
their own safety to the rapidity with which
they have retreated before our forces.-
Kentucky has taken her stand on the side
of the Union. She has furnished for its