Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-08-07

at the election in May, 1861, that, if they
wanted to, they never could recall. AS
:he South attributes all the horrors of the
present war to the Union men of the Dor.
der States, if we should fall into theil
hands, our property, by their laws, is Sc.
qnestered. This will apply as well to con-
seryative secessiouists as to Union men, as
their bitterness toward them is just as
great, calling them craven towards and
white-washed Yankees. This applies to
seCessionists who have taken the oath and
are trying to live up to 1t. II is not an
uncommon expression TO wish this country
depopulated, that it might be settled with
new race from the Southern Confeder-
ncy. Now what chance have we for our
freedom, or even for shelter for our wives
and children, but to come up with solid
front for the new State, and to defend
lists" WE'LL | answer, what of them2 If
we were united, and all like myself had
seen the elephant, we would have no
fears of them. First, because we have no
thing of Importance to lose by them; and
next, because we could array large ar
my of as good material as the world ever
saw, SO as to be independent of them, and
let them be pitted against the secesh,
where they would be well yoked. With US
has ceased to be matter of politics, but
has resolved itself into a matter of necess-
ity-a matter of vitality. If we would
save our property from sequestratiou, and
ourselves from exile, by unity ofword en-
dorse the new State, and by unity of ac-
tion defend it. have found by sad expe-
rience Ito the tune of about two thOus-
and dollars) that being on no side will not
do, as in that case you have the protection
of neither. Will the people of West Vir-
ginia take advantage of the example that
has been made of me, or will it be lost nm
on them, as casting pearls before swine2--
Becoming satisfied that the friends of my
youth had all deserted me, even one felt
as near to as an own brother-one who,
when heard Of the sutferings and priva-
tions he was undergoing, in my weakness
| shed tears OF sympathy for. When Ibe-
came satisfied was to be sent off, resoly-
ed, ut the risk ofiffe and limb, to effect nv
escape, not because thought could be
taken to place more loathsome, but be-
cause the chance of escape would be less
ened. ] risked my life in getting ont of
tbird-story window, by means of small
cord, when two guards sat at the door
with loaded muskets. made my way
home through the mountains, Sometimes
following trail, and sometimes none, fol-
lowing the course, no small pnrt of the
way, barefoot, enduring suffering of every
kind, from exposure to rain, hunger and
fatigue. At one Time on Cheat Mountain,
| had just left the path for greater safety
when heard voices near me. darted
down bank and hid under the laurel, and
they passed by without discovering me- l
took them to be n party of guerrillas in
search of some Union man land thought
this time would fill the billy or his prop
erty. In Justice to myself, must say that
l had au indirect offer of release if / would
swear to support the COnfederacy, which
declined, telling them had sworn TO snp-
port the United States, and would not cross
FIRE.
Such is Southern chivaIry and humans
ty, OF which they are wont TO boast.-
Now, fellow-citizens, shape your course
according to your Judgment and the light
that is before you, but, above all, do not
take the course of neutrality, asit is suici-
dal. As for my part, the Rubicon is pass
ed; Ihave nailed my colors to the mast.
7. w. MCKINLEY.