Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-08-03
Editors Intellioeaeer :


ate of the United States. Very unexPect-
edly to me, an apparently systematic etiort
has been made 10 awaken doubts OF my
loyalty to the Government of the United
States, aud to charge me with Indifference
in the creation, of the new State. &
From my earliest entrance upon tue ousl-
ness of life, have ubst.tined from notori-
ETY. which arises from newspaper contro-
yersies or discussions If left to my own
choice, | would prefer to LEI time blot out
the scandal which political engineering IN
some, aud the love of aspersion in Others
have engendered against me. But my
friends think it duty to them, that
should make an aVowal of nay sentiments
on some of the questions which the pres
ent senatorial election brings under review.
Ny fret attention to the doctrine of Sc
eession Was invoked in 1892, when nulliti-
cation was wickedly attempted. l then
most heartily denounced it, as we'll as its
offspring secession. then abandoned
every prediction for party, and with ar
dent and heartfelt earnestness sustained
the notification proclamation of Gen.
jackson, in all legitimate modes of Vindi-
cation, until the unlawful and rebeliious
mbinatiou against the United States was
crushed and utterly demolished.
Shortly after this demolition | saw the
same party which-was able aud arttui,
plotting their own resurrection and con-
sequent ruin OF the country under the
name of secession. No matter in what
shape or disguise it appeared, it found ia
me an unreleniiug and Incorporating
foe. The first open, public aVowal known
to me was in the winter of $4,000. =. |
making, such AS recommended by Yancey
of Alabama, "to instruct the southern
mind and fire the southern heart" prepar-
atory TO the precipitation of revolution
From that time, in conversation and pub
lie speeches, not only in my own county,
but in many surrounding couoties, where
soeVer an opportunity was presented, re-
sisted its propagation and denounc d its
unapproaohHble wickedness. | believe
did something to arouse and unite the
Union sentiment of our country, and to
counteract the malign influence. of seces
sion orators, composed generally of young
lawyers, intermixed occasionally with grave
seniors of that profession, many of these
persons being the spawn of Old Virginia
who came among US to enlighteu our dull
understandings upon the excellencies of
this marvellous doctrine of secession
My last speech against that obnoxious or
diaauce OF secession was made in May
court house of the county of Roane. This
was made under threats of violence, as |
then understood. In proof of my efforts
in the cause of the Union, may coniden.
tally refer to members of the present leg.
islature of West Virginia. AS an act of
justice to me, when wantonly aud malevo-
lently assailed, am sure they will take
pleasure in bearing testimony to my active
and undated support of the Union.
The magnitude of the war which succeed
ed the passage of the ordnance of seces-
sion came so suddenly on the country that
time was not allowed for reflection and
sober Judgment. What was to be done in
this time OF emergency, was the inquiry of
all. The judgment of the people was gem
orally at fault. | can, however, say that
the gloom and torebo-
dingso evil which overspread the country,
my love of the Union never faltered.
reflected most sincerely with an honest de-
sire for the sdoption of the best measures
for the country to pursue under all exist
ing circumstances. l may have erred iu
the conclusions to which arrived, and it
would have been remarkable if had not
erred occasionally but can declare with
confidence that all did was under the con-
victions of an honest Judgment, as a true
and unconditional Union man. No word,
act, or deed of mine unfrieudly to the I'M
ion cause, can be trnthtully invoked against
me. Party and political purposes may
pervert facts to my prejudice, but where
true representations are relied on defy
reproach. A specific answer to the scan
dalous and untruthful charges made against
me would extend this paper greatly be
yond the limits Ipropose. shall there
fore give them no consideration further
than may be found in the above. What
have said relates to the past;-I will now
state my opinions on the war and its fu
ture conduct. -......-.....Hgt
am now, and ever have been, in favor of
the prosecution of the war until all who are
in rebellion shall lay. down their arms and
submit as good citizens to-the laws and the
Constitution of the United States.
l am now and ever have been opposed
to receive sny terms of peace, which do
not acknowledge all the guarantees and
provisions of the constitution of the United
States, and which do not especially ac-
knowledge their supremacy, ."Ruy constitu-
ton or law of state to the contrary not
withstandiug." a..
am now, and ever have been in favor
of sustaining the administration in the Wig.
orous prosecution of the war, so long as
rebellion exists in any part of the union
north or south, no matter at what necessa.
ry cost of blood OF treasure. The hopes of
freedom throughout the civilized world !;
the perpetuity of our matchless govern
ment; as we'll as the great experiment of
the capacity of man for self government are
involved in its issue. With such a ire
mendous responsibility this nation dare
not calculate the cost It must be prose-
cuted to Successful issue
l am now, and ever have been, since the
commencement of this rebellion, oppose
TO all efforts by any party, at time like
the present, when union is strength and
disunion is weakness, TO raise up a party,
founded on any peculiar notion or opinion,
or upon past combinations of party, wheth-
er that effort be made by wings, democrats,
republicans or nbOlitiohists. Those who
engage in so unpatriotic a measure should