Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-19


who sympathize with secession will vote
against IT. He thinks, however, this same
msjority are "sentimentally opposed 10 3
division at this time, but feel bound TO
vote for It rather than the impression
should be created that they are opposed %
division in the abstract at the right time. "a
Wow in this, we believe the editor Of the
Herald describes his own feeling rather
than that Of the people, except perhaps q
few. This measure is one Of such moment
that many good but timid men approach
it with misgiVing and hesitation. They
cannot bring themselves to realize that It
is decisive action that always wins. while
timidity and hesitation only embarrass and
clog. The only thing We need is TO be
sure we are right and then go ahead, and
not stand ehaGeriug, and letting l will
wait upon / would. Let rs dare do all
that becomes n free people who have rights
and the nerve 70 assert them
There is, as the editor of the Herald
says, a good deal Of indifference, passive
opposition rather, to this measure. in the
Panhandle; but not 50 in the interior cOun-
ties. The people there are alive to the
magnitude Of the question to be decided
hext Thursday. They are free from any
influence which might make them desire to
.perpstaate the present State Government
longer than is necessary 10 establish a
governments for The new State. They feel
the necessity Of having live, vigorous
government, aud they know that one whose
authority is merely nominal over three
fourths Of the territory it processes to
govern, is cramped, embarrassed and re-
tarled in all its operations, and cannot Of
necessity be anything more than tempo
rary. Hence, aside from all aspirations TO
be freed from most unfortunate connec-
ton, they desire new State Government
because beiag consistent, genuine one,
With n Jurisdiction corresponding to its
power, it will be vigorous and efficient
All the citizens of these counties whom We
have converted with, believe in a de
vision of the State, and are going to
vote for it. Even in the Panhandle
counties, We think, the opposition will
not be serious. Very many who were OPP
posed 70 division at the time the ordi-
nance passed, have now thought better Of
1t. They now see that anything we may or
may net do will mot make the slightest diff
ference in the loyalty of the other border
States. The argument about embArrass-
ing the Government by arraying the Union
sentiment Of MArylaud, Kentucky and Mis-
sonri against it by our action here, can no
longer be urged. Subsequent events have
taken the wind out of that. The war has
been carried into two Of those States, and
any maudlin seutimentaiity that may have
existed once, has given place to a stern de-
terminat ton because stern necessity on
the part of Union men to fight it out.
The other is 10 a state of military sub
jugation. Nothing that We can do, will or
can make a particle Of difference in either
of them.
In the last six weeks the aspect of the
war has changed materially. There is NO
more OF the sof-sawder, milk 4and-water
policy OF hOneyfugling doubtful men and
doubtful States, and coOxing them to be
loyal. The stakes are driven, the lines
drawn, the States have taken. their posi-
lions, and now the issue has got to be
fought out without regard to the mock
eourtesiss that have been SO long practice
ed.
The result does.not hinge in any event
on the action of Western Virginia. What.
ever we may or may not do, it will be a
complete vihdication Of the government
But we must do our part; and let it be nc
crayen.hearted part either. II we had q
new State Government in operation IN
Western Virginia to-day We could, as &
loyal State, do twice as much in putting
down the rebellion, as the way 1t is. The
authorities would not be hampered and
embarrassed as they now are, and tho peo.
Pile, with their independent existence. as a
STATE, In addition TO the uuiop,to eight for
would turn out double the number of vol.
unteers We now have in the field. As it is
many feel at loss-mixed up, doubtful
about what is to become of them when tn,
war is over, and uncertain about wher,
their State allegiance belongs, or whether
they owe any State allegiance at all. Will
new State government all this would b,
changed, and We should have regularity
good order and quiet to much greater ex.
tent than is possible under the present cir.
cumstauces.
We know that the great and Overshad.
owing question of the war does and mus
eugrOss the minds of our people so entire.
" US TO make them comparatively. apa.
thetic 10 their immediate State interests
But q successful man is he who never
Ioses aiOht of little things because of Oreal