Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-08-05
Marketing atnIannlngtOn.
The People Moving in Earnest

The People Moving in Earnest.
Speeches OF Hon. w. IT. valley GOV.
Peirpolnt and others -iE-
N1s MANNIsGToN, August ., 1862.
Editors Inteltigeneer suHH ar 81
An enthusiastic mass war meeting was
held in the grove near this place to-day,
which will, no doubt, do a great deal ofgood
for the cause. The people began to as
semble about 10 P.h NJ, and the morning
hours were spent very pleasantly, waiting
for the "great guns" to come, in listening
to speeches from Rev. Samuel Young and
Andrew F. Ritchie, of the Fairmont Ma
tional. Their remarks would have been
considered as very creditable md excel
lent on an ordinary occasion, but in view
of their rather local reputation, it lis not
necessary to furnish you an abstract; suffice
it to say that they spoke well and appro-
pirate TO the object, for which the meeting as
semblcd. F. Smith, R. R. Brown,J B. Nay,
Esqs.,Jas. c. Beatty, Marshal of the day, and
others werehere, e,theEea and everywhere using
their utmost endeavors to, make things pass
off pleasantly, and a bouutiflIll repast was
provided by the ladies of the place to "ieed
the multitude" People from all directions
were present, and among them a large
\ sprinkling of secessionists. q aFsH %
| A short time after noon the train brought
down Hon. w. T. Wiley and others, from
1 the east, and soon the Governor arrived
from the other direction. BY this time the
bodily comforts of the people had been at
tended to, and they were in good condition
to hear the speeches.
f. Smith, Esq. introduced Mr.. Wiley,
in neat little speech, and the latter went
right into tie work before him. He said it
was only the great interest he felt in the
cause that brought him here; whatever he
has or can do is at the service of the coun-
try. The man who refuses to act thus
now, is unworthy of the libetty and the
lCoustitution purchased by the fIthers of the
revolution, unworthy of the Government
which has been the admiration of tho
world. His life is at the service of the
country, if that can perpetuate these bless.
ings. Why arewe here to-day? BE would
speak to the hearts of the people, 10 their
reason aud their judgment, not to their
passions. Why are we called upon
10 defend our institutions to day -
He referred to the "right of revolution q
as principle recognized by the American
people. But why the present rebellion.-
| Had any right of the people been violated7
Had they been oppressed, imprisoned or
unjustly taxed No man can lay his finger
on any instance where wrong bad been
suffered by the people from the Govern
ment. A voice, "Not one We were
d prosperous people every right under the
Constitution was secure. The people had
every priyilege-the, right to select their
own representatives, and to carry. on their
own Government. Thereiwas no despotic
Authority to step in and interfere. The
laws were open to the poor and the rich
the whole machinery of the Government
was at their command to redress any wrong.
| You could retire to bed at night without
locks aud bars to your doors. None dare
| molest or make you afraid. Every right,
civil and religious and political was secure
TO every man. He would ask his secession
friends, then, where was the necessity for
rebellion2 What would be the result OF
its success? 1t would be to break down
democratic institutions, and destroy the
best government eyergiyen by God to man.
If u man has nothing else TO leave to his
children in this land, 1t would ben sufficient
legacy TO leave them free government,
where they have chance to pave their
own way in the world, rntrammeled, by
tyranny. Then why destroy such Gov
ernment2 Can you get better by joiping
this Southern organization? Go to East
ern Virginia, and see the destruction, aud
misery and terrorism there for an answ er.
The destruction of property and the in
fringement of personal liberty exhibited
there wouldhhardly show better govern
ment. Men who love the Union and the
old flag were forced there into the army TO
be swept down in the front ranks on the
Chickahomiuy. Then why do we find meu
sympathizing with such tyranny and wick!
edness. The speaker related an anecdote
of the answer Ofa rebel soldier, when ask
ed if he knew what he was fighting for
Pointing to the leaders, he said, ''Why, yes,
guess know-we are fighting for these
gentieweli ~ Yes, fellow.cftizeus, they were
fighting for "these gentlemen" !" these ariSto-
cFdEs, who sny democratic institutions are
failure-thRt they are not adapted to the
Igovernment; they give rights to, the poor
man, the man who has no wealth; no prop
erty. The speaker referred to the consti-
tntional amendments adopted by the Rich
mond Convention, abridging the right Of
suffrage and nbolishiEg free schools, as ex-
Fhibitiug the aims of these men A man
must be Esome pumpkins" according to
these gentlemen, to have q right to vote.-I
Our free institutions didn't suit the aristo-
eracy. The speaker referred to the great
honor given abroad, heretofore, to those
who could claim the proud position of
nAmerican oitizehs, ~ Our fag was honor
ed-our commerce fourished The nations
of the world respected because they feared
| us. They would like to see us destroyed,
but don't like to attemptit They are pat
ting rebellion on the back, however, and
telling them to "go int' in the hope that