The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-06-15
Wheeling Convention.

This important body reassembled pursu-
ant to adjournment on the 1lth inst. We
have synopsis of but two days proceed
ings, and they were unimportant, consist
ing mainly in the appointment of COM
mittees, &c. About so delegates were
present the first day, representing 40 coun-
ties. Others were expected. The follow
ing from the correspondence of the Cinci-
natl Commercial forshadows sthe purpose
and probable action of the convention:
Delegates from east Of the Blue Ridge
tell me that at least thirty thousand for
eign military votes were cast for secession
and at least that number of Union votes
repressed by intimidation. 1t Is thought
the convention will be in session nearly q
month
The programme Of operations which the
convention will doubtless adopt has been
sketched to me by leading members of the
Northwestern Virgi nia Central Committee.
The convention assume that they were
constitutionally elected by the loyal peo-
pie of Virginia; that the incumbent State
officers are in rebellion and have abdicated,
and their abdication vii! be formally de-
under the constitution, to alter that in
strument, and will change it to meet
present exigencies. They will declare
that the General Assembly shall consist of
certain number of Senators and Repre-
sentatives, who shall represent the whole
State After they elect Governor, he
will convene the Legislature, the members
of which are members of this convention.
1t will convene, appoint necessary State
officers, and provide for collection and ap
preparation Of revenue. The State govern
ment having declared rebellion in the
State, will appeal to the Federal govern
ment to suppress it with Federal forces,
and they will then move on the rebels
County judicial officers, &c, who refuse
to take the oath of fealty, will be deposed,
and loyal officers appointed in their places
Wheeling will be declared the capital of
Virginia
The leading men in convention consider
the plan as altogether practicable.
1t is a curious fact that the constitution
itself provides no mode by which it may
be amended, although the Legislature has
been accustomed to dictate the method
Virginians assume that instrument to be
perfect in itself, which accounts for the ap-
parent omission ofproyisions for amending
II ana III afhenuing II tho convention Ialis
back upon the people as the fountain of
power, and clearly justify the proposed
act of the convention as in pursuance OF
the constitution.
The action of the Virginians in 177i,
when Gov Lord Dunmore removed the
capital of Virginia on shipboard is cited
rs ajustiiying precedent
1t will be obscrvedthat when the present
convention was called, it included as DEF
egates members of the legislature who
were elected May Odd. The Union mem
bers then elected will be here, and the
amended constitution will embrace them,
while seceders will be practically excluded
This body will also elect u S. Senators
for the called session of Congress.
1t was designed to divide the State, but
this project is abandoned until rebellion
is crushed, when it will be done constitu-
tionally.
The Unionists ara very determined
They are enthusiastic at the conduct of
Kelley's Virginians at Philippi. and express
disappointment that the Union forces were
not simultaneously moved up the Kanawha
| to scotch secession in that direction.