Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-09-30
Matters and innings In western viz
g1nIR.

Having had OCCASION to spend q portion |
of last week in the interior of Western
Virginia, We had tolerSbly fair opportu-
nifty of ascertaining the general feeling
there in regard to the war aud the various
issues growing out oft We propose to
indulge briefly in some remarks in gem
eral way upon the results of our observa-
tons in that direction. fFli
When the Proclamation (emancipating
the slaves of rebels after next january
came out, we CHANGED to be in part of
the country where we happen to know
something ofsthe political leauings of the
prominent men, and were little curious
to witness the effect. Not single man
known to us as being unequivocally loyel
did We hear express his disapproval. Some
Union men with provisOs were not little
troubled for fear somebody would be exas-
perated. They did not care much on their
own account but were alarmed for the eff
feet on other people; they feared the Union
people of Kentucky would the driven by it
into the Southern Confederacy, orithat the
e rebels themselves would be angered
beyond hope of reconciliation. A few
who may haye been sincerely loyal,
but whose loyalty is of very timid
sort, were fearful that it would create dis
sessions at the North aud tend to unite the
rebels at the South. One old eurmudgeon,
after giving it a careful perusal laid down
the paper and gave it as his deliberate
opinion that the measure was "unconstitu-
tionel" But the loyal men, known to US
rs such, who had no ifs to trouble them,
approved 1t and said it served the rebels
just right. They hvd brought it on them
selves aud had nobody else to blame. Had
not the President told them he would
emaneipate their slaves if they persisted in
rebellion against the government and had
not'they persisted. Now then he had given
them their last warning. and ifthey thought
so much of their niggers all they had to do
was today down their arms aud acknowl-
edge the supremacy of the laws, aud their
niggers would not be disturbed. But there
was a very general anxiety TO know what
other people thought about it. The pro-
clSmation did not strike people as being
such terrible piece of business; still they
were anxious to have the opinions of others
to shape their own by. Nowhere did we
hear anybody indulge in anything ap-
preaching the TRADE of the Press 1t may
have met response in some rebellious
hearts. but that response was not made
audible. We did hear people denounce that
sheesas being .'secesh and no better than
the Richmond EaquHett,'II aud as having at
lastlexhibited tho cloyen foot beyond all
controversy. IL
We believe tie people of interior Western
Virginia will give themselves just about as
little trouble aboutthe proclamation as any
other portion of the Union Every days
events go-stilp further to convince us that
they are essentially an anti-slavery people,
but SO far as we heard any expression they
spealSofthis as a military and not politi-
cal measure, Ifit. would effect nothing to-
wards su6dpiag the rebellion, they would
care little about it; but if it would assaii
itin vital part they. would consider it
right, just as they would any other meas
ure that would accomplish the desired re-
suit. eSpch appears to us to be.the average
feeling ofloyal tnen In the interior in re-
gard to the proclamation.
There has been within the past few
mouths an essential change with the rebels
OfiMestern virginia as with the rebels of
Maryland. The invasion ofeveu a friendly
army has been shown to be terrible seourge
to friends as we'll as enemies. Even before
Lee and Jackson invaded Maryland the re-.
bells there learned to dread their approach.
Theysare learning the Same lessonip West.
ern Virginia. Those who have run offand
Joined maurauding gangs, were men who.
had but little to lose, or too much
to fear to stay at home. A large class
of sympathizers with the rebels,
who are men of substance, have
staid quietly at home all the time. Until
lately, they have been praying for the in
yasiou Of Western Virginia by the parti.
sans of Leteher; but the events of the past
few months has taught them lesson
which may not have affected their loyalty,
but has certainly greatly modified their
desires. And now, like the rebels in Ma
ryland, they dread the approach of those
they have hitherto regarded as friends
because they see tina. whateyerthsy pos.
ssss would be lost whenever their own sec.
ton becomes the arena of contending ar
mics, whichever might gainsths ascendant
cy. With rs here in Western Virginia the
rebellion is on the Wane among titssown
friends; andiif ever rebel armies shall
penetrate the Northwest, they will find, as
they found in Maryland, that the anxiety
toiola heir ndatd has long Since died
out, and that instead of hberatiug their