Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-02-25
TO THE PEOPLE OF JvnsT vIP
CHINA, -

- nuuNktgbb
TO THE PEOPLE OF WEST vIR-
GINA.
The New constitutIon, ana som. "a.
iaa marks * and Suggestions Concern
aouNDsyILLE, Va, Feb. 81, 1869.
Editors Intelligencer:
Well, it appears that the great State
constitutional Convention for West viz
gina, has at last adjourned, after having
adopted Constitution, which is to be sub.
inltea TO the voters of West Virginia in
April next, for their ratification or reieo-
ton. This Constitution. is well received
here, as far as it goes, lot there is not
enough of it. Had the Convention ONLY
gone on and finished their work by insert.
inR IN the Constitution the balance of the
battelle resolutions, the Constitution would
nave been received by the people with ioy
oEeFhoRtng. They would then have had
me satisfaction of knowing that new
state ior West Virginia was fixed fact.
All DOUBT about our recognition and ac-
eePtAnce by Congress would then hay.
been removed, We would then have bsfi
good hopes that all our old rrieynnces
were removed far from us. Slave brssS :
ing would have become unpopular. because
unlawful. Hope would have cheered the
despondlng, aud joy would have gladdened
tne hearts Of a free and happy people
But under the present aspect OF affairs Ee
will have good enough Constitution for
a free State in all other respects. save tLe
gradual emancipation clause, marred blot
ted, stained and contaminated with The
odOr of slave code.
Well, for the sake of Investigating tho
prospects before US, we will suppose that
the people will ratify and adopt the Con-
stitution of. which we speHk-supnose Il
viii pass the Virginia House of Delegates
and further, suppose it is sanctioned by.
Congress, which will never be done as long
as the sun rises in the east aud sets iS
the west. Congress will NOT sniff nm
al ol0 slave Slate Into frdctfons. and
give 10 each fraction the benefit Of two
United States Senators, while the State
OF New York, with population of three
mllllons, has only two Uuited States
Senators. Would there be any Justice in
thisf but suppose this Constitution passed
by the people of West Virginia, sanctioned
by the Legislature of Virginia. and the
whole movement New Stote
Constitution, and 0ll-ratitied by Congress-.
what then? Can we suppose for one mo.
ment that the Legislature of this new State
could get along without code of laws of
some kind2 Could this code of laws be at
the same time for freedom and slayeryS
Oertaialy not. The pro-slavery men who
would appear in the Legislature of the
new otate AT It's hrst session would claim,
and according to the Constitution of West
Virginia, would have a right to clair, iows.
to protect them in their property in sIayss
What them Why in order to carry ont
slave laws the legislator must either have,
large community of slave holders. or else
must have people down trodden by ala
very propagandiSts, as was the case NitI,
Western Virginia'before. -.
Before she assumed tue control of her
own affairs, our rulers, in order TO carry
out their slave constitution over us. wouli
believe, have to send to Richmond for
some of our old tax-masters and import
some of our old renegade rebels that Iised
TO reign over US. Up to the time that the
iree state Union army marched into this
State and drove the slaveholdiug rebels
out they would again explain TO us our
Eig9ts. These imported renegade rebels
very much doubt whether any Legislators
can now be found in West VIRGINIA fI,ot
would undertake to carry out tue ignoble
l.experiment.
We'll now, since the affairs of West Yir-
gtnia are all wrangled nt tho head and ian.
gled at the tail, what is TO be dohe-wllRt
should be done, when our affairs have An
gone WronE2 Why surely We Should in.
stantly apply the very beat remedy within
our reach, even if it is to some extent in
formal.
Now for the plan. First, propose that
the people adopt the Same plan the Con-
YentiOn adopted before they Adionrned-
viz: appoint committee for each c6hntv
IN West Virginia, then on the day Of eiee-
ti ion 10 decide for OF agatnst the Gohstitd.
unit for tue present Constitution M n
passed the Convention with the bsiSncs
OF the Battellc resolltions, which were re.
lected by the Convention, added.
Ihts course know is somewhat inform
al, opt when an object of such vital i'm
portance to the people has been overlooked
6ys the Convention, It is but fair that theT
should have the privilege of deciding this
important point, the future stains Of the
new State. This plan would remove ibe
gag drawn around the thrOats oftheneonIa
fou Will perceive that this plan5Coes 5ot
strike at any part OF the Constitution that
has been framed; but the lack .o6 8 grad.
nal emancipaionc clRuseis the misery. SIM.
pose the GonyNption had failed to provide
tor tne election OF Governor and Legisla-
sSttSI " SHJ VSusEa abtSaltOF important part.
would the people of West Virginia under
these circumstances voted on the thing in
April without any provisions in il to have
Governor, Senators or LegisIatorsl /. Iler-
tainly not, Then hereis a greater omission.
one OF far greater Importance omitted: aud
shall not the sovereign people decide this
tnemselTesI We Will see who Is sovereign
the servants OF the people Or. the peo5ie 4
tnemselyes. Oh could the people Of
West Virginia only even nov see What is
before them IN the future, the 0lorions on.
portuntty which they even yet have Of for
ever Kidding themselves Of This institution.