Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-02-09
CFrOm the well.burE HsrGld.l
Secession and Coercion Brought
P0ma


The section of country known as North
western Virginia having pretty generally
elected delegates opposed to secession, and
it being taken for granted that majority
of the counties in other portions of the
State have voted the opposite, there arises
very pretty question.
The theory Of Convention Of the peo-
pie il, that it represents the sentiments of
those represented in their original capacity,
without reference to constitution or statute
or any other law, other than such as na-
ture aud sslf-preservatiou prescribes for
the good of individuals. The Conyen-
tion, in its province, and for the time
being, is superior to constitution aud laws,
which, indeed, are in effect abrOgated that
far. Theoretically, it is the supreme law
of the land, and its will is to be enforced
by the weight of superior numbers and
strength. 1t is = government of force in
the StricteSt sense Of the term. At the
same time that the people represented will
be in honor bOund-not otherwise, for
there is no Law TO bind them to do the will
of the majority-should any portion Of the
people see st to repudiate the action of
their delegates, then the only way in which
they can be brought TO terms is by the use
Of force; in other words, by coercion, but
without the basis of law for foundation
Promising that these principles are cor
rect, the question arises. what will the
people of Northwestern Virginia do in the
event of the passage of an ordinance of
secession, will they submit to the will! of a
majority of the people Of the State, agree
to leave the Union at their dictation, do
violence to their interests and their con.
Victions of right, or will they repudiate
the action Of the Convention, remain in
. h, TTv,S, Il L. 81
cede, aud take the responsibility and risk
of being coerced to go with the seceders.
On every principle upon which this
Convention was called, and upon every
principle upon which secession is justified,
those of the citizens of Virginia who are
unwilling to go with the majority will be
justified in remaining under the stars and
stripes, and by no process of reasoning
known to the secessionist school can they
be coerced into doing differently, This,
then, opens the door at once for the diYi-
sion of the State, on strict Southern State
right grounds. The question, any way
We look at it, is a pretty one, and We are
much mistaken if it is not mooted both in
the Convention and at home. Disguise it
as we may, there iSno doubt but there is a
strong under-current in favor of a division
of the State in the event of the secession
cumstances have given our politicians
backbone enough 10 enable them to
speak above whisper on the subject,
it will be AuthoritntiVely felt. The feeling
is latent among the people, spark will in
flame It into blaze that will speedily con-
sumo all opposition. So long as Virginia
remains faithful to the Union, there is no
danger and little real disposition to take
SO decisive step, but let the madmen
take the initiative of secession from the
Union, and the example will speedily be
followed by those who are patiently wait
ing and fearing. Then we shall have the
question of coercion brought home. Then
we shalt see whether the provisional gov
ernment of Virginia has the moral or ma
teriAl force to maintain the integrity of
her boundaries, or to drag its dissatisfied
subjects from under the protecting flag of
the federal Union. Then shall We test the
sincerity Of the Southern dogmas in re-
gard TO secession and coercion
If such an event as this should be rem
dered advisable, the Northwest should be
careful not to be placed in tue wrong posi-
ton. l. is not necessary that Western
Virginia should secede, on the other hand
il is naAtoFiAt- point that Eastern vIrRIuIR
should be compelled to stand the odium of
snch a step. If the West, or any part of
it, even if ouly the Panhandle, desires to
remain in the present federal Union, all it
has to do is to remain in StGtu quo; let the
balance secede, and, if necessary, call upon
the federal Government for protection in
its rights under the laws of the United
States. If we have to split the old Com
monweAlth, let it go forth to the world
and stand upon the record of history, that
it was not tho West, but the East, not tue
free labor, but the slave labor half that
act demoralized and divided the good old
State.
Gov. PIcKESs, in transmitting the Viz
-ninia rasnlntinno "a t,n snr,.h r,n,.1;...