The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-16
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A vKxERARLE HKRo.---We have heard
from refugees from Wheeling most interesting
accounts Of scene which occurred some time
SINCE in that city, in which q venerable man
withstood the rage Of brutal mob and made
II cover before tho presence of courageous
principle and patriotism. Bishop Whelan, the
Biehor of the Western Virginia Diocese Of
the Catholic Church, resides in that city. He
will be remembered by many Of our readers
~ the former Bishop Of the Catholic Church
In Richmond and the Eastern Diocese Of Eir'
giuia He was universally respected here by
ali denominations AZ learned and pious pre-
lsAe, whilst the rare benevolenee ana peculiar
gcnsleness Of his character, and his unaffected
simplicity, yet dignity, made him a. much be.
loved n respected. We have seldom looked
upon . conntsnsnce which was 20 expreseive
Of purity and genileness. The unobtrusiSe.
ness and propriety of his demeanor were tie
enbject Of frequent comment among all classes
Of OR citizens, and he devoted himself to his
pastoral duties with the most entire abstinence
from all matters not pertaining to his sacred
calling. Nevertheless, it was impossible for
even such man 10 be an unmoved spectator
of the recent events which threatened to in
volve the rights, liberty, and life OF all his
fellow-citizens. He had too just an idea of
the theory of the American Constitution and
the Federal eystem to blind his eyes to the
gross perversion and outrages upon the char.
ter Of American liberty by the Lincoln Gov
eminent. lie was too pure and honest TO
profess what he did not believe, and to ac-
knowledge fealty where he did not consider
1t due. Having undoubting faith il State
Rights, and no faith whatever in Black Re.
publicanism, he felt that his allegiance was
due 10 Virginia, and not to Lincoln. Yet,
although he had silently and quietly pursued
, the even tenor OF his way, he WAS suspected of
unsoundness on the great issues of the day.
The mob of Wheeling, than which grosser,
more servile and besotted mob cannot be
found anywhere, required every man to show
his hands, and gloated in the license given
them by the despotism they served Of viola
ting the sanctity of dwellings they never pre-
sumed to enter before, of arraigning their su-
periors in those homes, while in monarchical
England are castles which even the King
cannot enter, and of insulting gentlemen in
whose presence they always felt their infe-
riority and vulgarity. Among the many est
mabls people who became the object Of their
malignity was Bishop Whelan. They rushed
wildly to the Cathedral and to the Bishops
house near it, aud demanded that the United
States flag should be hoisted ON the church.
In response to their clamor, the Bishop soon
made his appearances tall, spare-built old
gentleman, with silvery hair and serene
conference.-the stood before them and lis.
tened TO their demand Undaunted, delibe.
rately, yet firmly, he replied in substance -
that he stood before them an old man, a citi
Zen Of Virginia, and Bishop of the Catholic
Church. Personally and privately he enter
tanned opinions differing entirely from those
OF the persons before him He was a friend
Of State Rights and acknowledged his allie
glance to Virginia. He was Bishop of the
Catholic Church, an institution universal in
its character, intended for all time, and in
dependent of parties and political organiza-
tions. The banner of that Church was the
Cross Of Christ, it knew no other; that it
would be improper TO place in its stead the
banner which that multitude carried There
fore he refused to yield to their demand. He
was an old man with short time to live,
and but one against their hun dreds; but before
they placed their flag on that church, they
must pass over his dead body
The mob was quiet, it covered before the
earnest old Bishop and-went away.