Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-10


ton in regard to the admission OF erection
Of new States had been complied with
and in this connection he quoted as SINH
lar the preamble and act admitting Ken
lucky, which was formerly from part Oi
Virginia. Precedents, he insisted, sup
ported the new State organization.
Mr. Mallory said, understand that moi
more than one-half the counties Of Vir-
ginia we're represented in the Wheeling
Legislature.
Mr.. Blair, of Virginia, asked why were
not all the counties invited2
Mr.. BroWn.-An were expressly inYi-
ted. 20 ~
Mr.. Mallory. Although they were in
vited, were not some Of them so completely
within the control of a foreign Govern
ment that they could not send representa-
tives to the Legislature
Mr.. BroWn.-I cannot say whether the
people were under intimidation or not It
is sufficient to say that they were invited
10 come. Ifthey stayed away twas their
fault, and not ours. If they were dislOyal,
they could have no voice IN the Legisla-
ture Of Virginia.
Before Mr.. Brown concluded the morn
ing hour expired, when the House took
up the special order authorizing assessors
and collectors and their assistants under
the tax law, to administer Oatha, SC.
Mr.. Brown resumed his remarks in ad-
Vocacy of the bill for the admission Of the
State of Western Virginia. He stated
various considerations why the State
should be admitted as a matter Of expedi-
ency. The people Of that section had been
struggling for forty years for a separate
existence, and they now had sixteen regi-
ments in the field, obtained by volunteers,
not by draft.
Mr.. Colfax remarked that at the last
session he had great doubts as to the pro-
priety of passing this bill, but on exam
ination his mind was made up that il
ought to pass.
Mr.. Crittenden appreciated the patriot
ism and vslOr of the people of Western
Virginia, and the desire which they ex-
pressed to become a free people; but in
this matter he was not governed by feeling
but by the principles of constitutional law
Congress could not admit a new State out
Of the ancient territory without the assent
Of the old Commonwealth, and this had moi
been given. If States should be made in
the method proposed, new ones could be
made at pleasure irrespective Of the Con-
stitution Of the United States.
Mr.. Edwards said that he would sus-
tain the loyal people. If there was nc
other way, he would seize he rebellious
portions and hold them as territory and
repopulate them.
Mr.. Wicklife-You speak about repop-
,.To Us-.s,., UL,k 4,
with the people2 Would you extermin-
ate, kill or make slaves of them2
Mr. EdWards-I would e1terminate the
Whole people in order. 10 preserve the in.
tegrity of the Union.
Mr.. Wickliffe asked, if women and chill
dren? ....
Mr.. Edwards.-No, they are not found
in arms. This unintentionsl pun gave
rise to a general laughter.l They are en-
titled to the defense and protection Of ev.
cry civilized people of the world.
Mr.. Maynard spoke of his finding pa.
triotic and loyal people in Western Vir
ginia begging to be Disseminated and re-
lieVed from the dead carcass Of Eastern
Virginia. It would be unjust to keep then
waiting until our army should compel the
other portion Of the State to obedience.
Mr.. Stevens said it was mockery to add
that the Legislature Of Virginia had eve
sssented TO the new State. According Il
his principles he could vote fer the bill, OF
the ground that the Revolutionary States
being belligerents, were not entitled t
the privileges Of the Constitution. Witt
his consent the Union could never be re
stored as it was under the Constitution
with slavery.
Without concluding, the House then ad
jOurned.