Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-03-18
Military Despotism in Western Virginia
--Free Speech and Free Discussion
not Allowed.
From the Wheeling Press.l

To the People OF western Virginia:
It is due to you that should explain the rea
son have not fulfilled, and cannot fulfil. Imam,
appointments to address you in compliance witt
Invitations received.
The late Constitutional Convention, assum-
ing to act for the whole State, by ordering the
coming election, 10 about forty days after ite
adjournment demonstrated that no general, free
or public discussion, was intended or would be
slloWed, For this reason, out of invitations
sent me from over thirty counties, | desie;
mated few readily accessible points, along The
river, and on the line of the railroad, which
could be reached without much personal dis
comfort to myself.
28th inst, presided over and addressed by per.
sons, every one Of whom Except Mr.. Okey
johnson, who was opposed to its proceediuRs)
hold offices either under the State or Federal
Government, the following, among other reso.
utione of like character, was passed, viz:
"That we do not intend to permit treason 10
our midst, by act or speech, come from what
quarter Il may; but we will resist it with our
lives. at all hazards, and to the last extFemity:-
and when say that, we mean what we say,
and say what We mean"
Imet at Middleboufne in Tyler county where
I had been previously invited) on Monday the
9th met, the Auditor Of the Wheeling Gov.
eminent, with whom ii was arranged that A
public discussion Of the questions involved.
should take place. He spoke first and to the
full period of his allotted time. l was inter-
rupted and prevented by threatened and actu.
al violence from concluding my remarks. The
violence came at the instigatou of certain
drunken and demoralized soldiers, among whom
was fallen Methodist preacher, who now sports
40 Sergeant Williamson, a desperado called
Metz, and VIM. iMesser, whose brother de-
Tended some years ago on charge Of murder.
An egg was thrown against the wall Of the
Court House while was speaking, by man BY
the name of Harding, who was detected in the
act Of stealing -four from 6tsley's mill and who
can be readily purchased at any time to COM
NIT an immoral act. The people of Tyler were
willing to hear. Ireadily scquit them, end
now return my thanks to Dr.. Nicklin, D. Hick-
man and ]. E. Boyer, all Of whom are political
opponents, for their manly conduct.
While In Middlebourne found In the Audit.
or of the Wheeling Government an authorita-
tive commentator on the Parkereburg resolu-
tions, for he declared in the sitting room of
Flesher's hotel, in Mlddebourne, that che had
Just came from Parkersburg, and that If went
there would be in personal danger. He be.
lieved would be shot; aud that the best thing
could do was TO 70 home and stay there" or
words to that effect. do not pretend to give
his exact language, but ! have what have
given from two New State MIN, as we'll as from
three Democrats, who were present. Alljoined
In requesting me not to 20 to Parkersburg, and
they gave the conversation detailed as the res-
son,
On my arrival In Parkersburg, on Wednesday
last, found large number Of people from the
country In attendance, with many persons from
Writ and the adjoining counties. Among the
rest, were about hundred raftsmen from the
little Kanawah, who were threatened with ar.
rest by the military authorities, and several of
them we're actually arrested. A militsry officer
was heard to declare, BY several witnesses, that
"his boys would ask nothing better than to fog
these intruders, and the sooner they skedaddled
the better IL would be for them"
found, also, body Of cavalry, and one of
infantry, armed and equipped. found could
not walk the streets without being followed BY
one of these janisaries, or low bred algalzils,
one Of who had the presumption TO dog me
into store, and another to attempt to enter
nv room In the hotel-carbine and sword by
his side Before the hour Of meeting on Wed.
nesday last, tho public square and the Court
House itself, were In the possession Of, and un- |
der the guard of armed soldiers, Soldiers were |
In front of the Richmond House.;
The hotel where l was stopping. The Sheriff,
On application, refused the key of the Court |
House, and the coercion, civil and military, was
ihus complete,
During the morning received visit at my
room, at the Richmond House, from the May |
Dr. Of Parkefsbulg, during which he made the |
following statement to myself and friend of |
nine, who was present. With the assent Of