Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-07
GovERNoRs ALEssAGE.
TO the Senate and House Of Dsleyaies o
Kirainia:

TO the Senate and House Of Dslegatts Of
Virginia:
GENTLEMEN :-In obedience to the wishes
of your honorable body, and OF the Comven-
ton Which assembled ON the 2Gth day of
November 1861, at Wheeling, from the
Counties proposed to be embraced in the
new State of West Virginia, have Goa
vened you in extra session, the principal
object OF which is, to take final action on
the proposed division of the State of Yir-
GINA rs far as the Legislature is concerned.
Convention, under legal sanction EN-
bruciug certain counties principally West
of the Allegheny mountains, assembled on
the goth day of November, 1861, for the
purpose of making Constitution for the
proposed new State to be formed out of
part of the territory of the State of Vir-
giuia. That Convention completed its la
bors on the 18th day of February 1862, by
the completion ola Constitution and SEIZED.
ilp, which are herewith submitted to YOU
The Schedule provides that the Constiiu-
tiOn should he submitted to the people en-.
braCed in the proposed new State, on the
Bird day of April 1862, for their adoption
or rejection, and the returns of the
election to be made to the commissioners
named in said Schedule. Owing to the
disturbed condition of the country in some
of the Counties composing the new State.
the vote was not as fullGs could he desired,
but it is II singular fact in these revolu-
tionary times, that the vote, while it is re-
spectacle in numbers, is almost unanimous
in favor ct the Constitution made by the
Convention.
The Constitution of the United States
provides that "no new State shall be form
cd or erected within the jurisdiction of any
| other State, without the consent of the
Legislature of the State concerned, as we'll
as of the Congress- Therefore, to com
plete the work which has been commenced.
of the division OF the State, it requires the
consent of the Legislature of Virginia and
the assent of Congress. Of course your
honorable body will take such action in
the premises AS shall seem meet to you.
Perhaps l have performed my duty in
submitting the matter to you without saw
ing more. But l am not willing to leave
the question here. 1t is urged by some
that the movement is revolutionary
Those who: urge this objection, do not
understand the history, geography and So
clal relations of our State. Geographical
", the East is separated from the West by
mountains which form an almost impassi-
BILE barrier, as far as trade and commerce
is concerned. The barrier is so great that
no artificial means OF intercourse have
ever been made beyond "a mud turnpike
road. All the trade aud commerce of
the West is with other States, and not with
Eastern Virginia. The two sections are
entirely dissimilar in their social rela
tiOns and Institutions. While the East
is largely interested in slaves, the West
has none, aud all the labor is perform.
ed by freemen. The mode and sub-
jects of taxation in the State have been a
source of irritation aud indeed of strife
and vexatiOn, between the two sections for
many years past, as well as that of repre-
sentatiOn in the Legislature. The subject
of the division of the State has been agi-
tated at one time aud another ever since |
can remember. l have no doubt but the
rebellion has somewhat precipitated action
on the subject at the present time, but of
the ultimate division of the State have
not doubted for years. While can see no
possible advantage of the State remaining
unit, can see many advantages to both
sections by division. 1t is thought by some
that the agitation of the subject at this
time is unfortunate on account of the re-
storing of the whole State to loyalty to the
Union and the Constitution of the United
States. This objection is more imaginary
than real. The new State does not pro
pose to go into operation until the assent
of Congress be given to the divisions Be-
fore that time, the rebellion will be at an
end all over the State. All the offices in
each county will be in loyal hands, acting
harmoniously under the old flag of orr
fathers. They can then take care of them
selves M Il