Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-26

CCuu1htu yFotT SStJUNg.l
Mr.. MlSEE-There have been various re-
marks here this morning, in reference TO
this question that Is now before this body.
concur with the gentleman IN the policy
Of calling for the indefinite postponement
Of this question. One reason why con-
cur with him is, that the argument of the
gentleman from Tyler has convinced me
that this Legislature have not the power At
the pre1eut moment, OF rather when pre-
pared, 10 give its consent 10 the Ccnren-
ton to form new State, and that that
proposition should emauate, as has been
suggested here this morning, from the
GSnyeution, or from che people. Il Is ae-
solately essential, according TO the gentle-
mans argument, that whenever that CUES
ton is presented TO the Legislature. that
kthe meets and bounds Of the new State
should be set forth cleAslJ. because IL 10
necessary, whenever the question IS pre-
scented TO II tor its consent, to know the
boundaries Of tha: State. presume there
is not member on the floor who Is NJ
present satisfied with the boundaries pro-
posed Ia this bill which seeks to set them
forth; aud if it is absolutely essential that
the boundaries should be prescribed in the
bill passed by the Legislature, then II ia
absolutely essential for rs TO refer back to
our constituents, aud consult them, and
let the Convention which meets on The 9Th
of August, take into consideration this
question aud If they see ht, ltheT being
Immediately from the people,J to frame
Constitution and direct division OF tue
State, und prescribe the boundaries, they
can do il, and ask the consent of the LRgis-
lature. apprehen.l that at the present
moment the country is tGAo much excited To
consider this question. Within the last
eight aud forty hours, news has been re-
ceived that has cast a gloom over this
country, aud carried mourning aud weep
ing to the bosoms of thousands Of families
in the land.
But a small portion of the Common
wealth of Virginia is here-not up.e than
ono. fifth; aud probably within that 9Th
not more than one-half of the people arc
nuxiouz that the State shall be divided.
Then you bring il down 10 oue-tenth. II
is great question that Is nov before u.
The provisional government which has
been reorganized here and recognized by
Congress, has been so reOrganiLed and re-
CoguiEed for the express purpose CT making
IL the government of the whole State OF
Virginia. know from personal CONVEX
sntion with the members at Washington,
and With gentlemen high in position thetei
that action upon this question raised by
this Legislature, representing onc-hith OF
the counties of the State, would meet with,
their unqualified disapproval. There is
not member here who does not consider
that when this provisional government
was formed, they tonk upon themselves
| the responsibility OF rolling back the dark
cloud Of treason and the storua. that was
sweeping over US and threatening to de-
| stroy the liberties of the American people.
II was organized for that express purpose.
| In the Convention which met here in May.
In the one that followed on the II th of
June, the question of division of the
State received quietus. 1t was thrown
aside by the unanimous consent of the
Convention. Why was that7 II was be-
cause the grand scheme that should DO
entertained by them WAS that they should
assist &c restoring the liberties of tho down
troddeu in virginiA-the freemen whose
rights the Richmond Convention had taken
away. :
hold that it is the best policy for this
Legislature now to adopt the motion al
ready made to indefinitely postpone this
.whulo subject.
Nc. sSTpEK-I am not at all surprised.
sir, that the gentleman cOncurs in the mo-
ton of the gentleman from Harrison, to ia.
definitely postpone the discussion of this
bill. When I recollect the part of this
State from which the gentleman halls,
am not at all surprised that he advocates
it 1t is true, sir. that claim to he rs
much of place man Rs any other mHu,
and am as willing to consult my coustitu-
ents as any other man, yet do not desire
to pay such poor compliment 10 my con-
stituents as to say that | must return to
them every other day and ask their advice
on this question. they are not as ickis
minded as come other people. ,Nycons;it-
uents, sir, started out 10 the beginning of
this revoiutiou-because, talk as you
please. aud call il as GU may, il ia u revo-
lution-G repeat, sir, they bad from the
commencement, this one great object In
view, if none other. will assert they had
Two great objects in view one was New
Virginia in the Union, the other was sepa-
ration from the E asst ut all hazards.
Ii had no more constituents at home
than some OF the gentlemen who oppose a
division OF the State on this DIOR repre-
sent, could SIT dOWu and in fifteen min
utes write letter home to every one OF
them. And yet, sir, am advised By these
geatlemea to return home aud consult nay
constituents on this great issue which is
paramount, cir, TO al others before this
people
Sir, there two sides to this question:
Remain 10 our present connection with old
Virginia and We have nothing but hank
ruptcy staring as in the face because
have already heard it :ntimatel by gentle
men that to get rid of tue State debt OF
Virgins we must eventually repuiinte il.
II We do that We thereby disgrace our
selves; hut If we cot tue State in two and.
assume and agree to pay our just share OF
this debt Wa save our honor and credit.
Will any gentleman pretend to deny that
the object of the frat rouTeution which
assembled here in tlis city looked terribly
towards u division of the State. 1t was
deemed inexpedient. Il, however. was
more like mass meeting than conven-
ton. Tue second was called, aud the del
egates more regularly elected and the
people Thought one great object insending
delegates TO that convention was to take