Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-02
Treatment of GuerrIllas la Western
Virginia.

on every page.
Treatment of G uerrnIas La Western
Virginia.
The policy iuaugurated by Gen. Free
mont in his treatment of the guerrillas in
this department promises 10 be most hap
Ply in its effects. Such is the anticipation
both here and abroad. An article from
the Philadelphia North Amsyiean which
appeared yesterday, takes very fair and
proper view of this question. 1t is to be
regretted that former military authorities
SAW ft to diIly-dally with these bandits as
they did. for now the leaves will soon be
ont in the forests, and with the hidiag pls-
ces thus afforded them, the guerSilIas will
do u great deal of mischief in some of the
mountain counties before they can be c1-
terminated. But their ardor will be much
abated when they discover that it is as
much as their lives are worth TO engage in
this Internal occupation. AS long as they
could carry on their murderous aud THEY
ing business without danger, it was
rather an attractive thing for the
style of men that engaged it it, and
profitable besides; but now it is
getting to be horse of another color en-
tirely.
Nothing better shows this than the
proceedings of some of the meetings
recently got up out in Marion and Taylor
counties. A couple of guerrilIas were kill
ed out there some three weeks ago by L.
S. volunteers, and it was given out that
unless their devilment was brought to AN
end, the quiet secessionists-thnsew who be-
lieved in the warfare, but did not person
ally engage in it--would be held RESPONSE
BILE. What WAS the result? Why that
men who, a year ago, wouldn't stand "co-
ercion" at all, and who have ever since
been fed on the very rnildest sort of "con-
stitutiOnal Union" doctrine, with hope of
converting them, because it was feared plain
truth aud direct dealing might render them
desperate aud more Determined in their
rreAson,-as soon as ever it became certain
that they were responsible for crimes they
had long approved and connived at, in
stead Of taking to IHe woods and caves,
and re-enaeting Rob Roy or Rhoderick
Dhu, fastened to their towns and got up
Union meetings, aud adopted resolutions
pleIging themselves to do all in their pow
er 10 bring the unnatural warfare to Au
cad, aud promising assistance to the U. S.
officers aud soldiers, whenever called on to
aid in its suppression Men who had
been rebels ever since the rebellion was
put IN motion, went to their loyal neigh
bors whom they hadn't spoken to for a
year. and solicited them to get up meetings
al which they might have the opportunity
70 make these pledges. Such were the ct
fects in that region of little wholesome
administration of the argument of force,
and the earnest threat of more if needed
Ii accomplished in few days what soon
eiliation7 had failed TO reach after an ap-
PlicatiOu of many months.
We refer to this notsO much as matter
of importance in itself, but as illustrating
the different effects of the two systems of
policy. We have had the policy ofconeili-
alton in Western Virginia for year past,
and during all that time in many counties
it has been much safer 10 be a rebel than a
loyal citizen, because if they did fall into
the hands of the Federal authorities they
were sure of handsome treatment aud a
speedy release, while ifau active Union
man gOs into the clutches of the guerriI-
las he very soon went to the wall. While
such policy PREVAILED how could we expect
TO restore loyalty and security in those
counties2 We will venture to assert that
the military execution of those three muir
derers at Sutton, on the 9th of next month.
will convert more secessionists in that re.
giOn than anything that has happened
threabouts within the last year. Not only
will it be just punishment for an inhumau
crime, but it will show that the authori-
ties are terribly in earnest in the work of
Furnishing traitors. twill be sample OF
what Others may expect for similar otfeu-
ces, and viii be the strongest argument
that could be urged upon the guerrillas of
Braxton, Writ, Webster, Calhoun and
surrounding counties. Indeed the argu.
ment of forceis the only one such men un-
derstand, aud the only one that can be
piled with any hope of success. We are
glad that Gen. Fremont appreciates this
fact and bases his action upOuit.
As illustrating the revelation of Opin-
ion that is going on in Western Virginia,
we note that the Kanawha Rrpubliean pub.