The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-16
The ST. Louis Republican on
PierpOint's "GOvernment."

The telegraph has informed the coun-
try of the organization of "the Legislature
of Old Virginia" at Alexandria, and of the
contents of Governor Pierpoint's message.
Thus bad begins, and we are afraid worse
remains behind. We regard this whole
contrivsnce of q new Government for the
State of Virginia, considering the manner
in which it has been sought to be establish
ed, as wholly artificial and not to put too
fine point upon it, monstrous usurpation.
In5the early. part Of the war a Conven-
ton of delegates was held at Wheeling,
which put into operation the machinery OF
State Government fr Virginia, on what
is called loyal basis. Pierpoint was elect
ID as Governor, and other executive OH
cors were oppointed. These were recogniz
ed by the General Government of Wash
ington, the effect of which was TO ignore
Letcher and the Richmsnd State Govern
ment Afterwards two Senators were
elected, and they were admitted, as the true
representatives of the State, but while this
system was being carried out, certain coun-
ties Of the old State Of Virginia, by conven-
ton, agitated the question ol q division Of
the State, which was finally done, hy what
Mr.. Attorney General Bates has Justly
termed ian original independent act of
revolution," the separation being cousun
mated by the admission into the Federal
Union of the Estate Of West Virginia. -
Most RAIDERS are familiar with the circum
locutionary method by which they aLtemp.
ted to evade the provisions Of the United
n q hn f,or ~ z IA
new Government. Its legality remains TO
be tested, as il no doubt will be, at some
day, by tne Supreme Court.
The State of West Virginia having been
erected, al election was held for officers and
tae government put on an equaiity with
the other States in the Union. Perpoint,
no longer in Office, Immediately went to
work to organize another loyal government
nat for West Virginia, but for the old State.
He announced himself as Governor, and re-
ceived some votes IN those counties then
within the lines of the Federal army out.
SIDE Of the new State of West Virginia.
How many votes be got We do not know,
as we nave never seen o statement of the
result of the "electiolp The whole affair
was extra legal wholly arbitrary and entire.
ly in opposition to the spirit OF our rspuo-
lican system. It was similar 70 the arrange
msnt in Hyde county, n. O., by which Fos-
ter claimed TO have been elected to Con
gress, and to the proceedings in Tennessee
by which Campbsll's friends claim him to
have been elected Governor. But the Ad-
minstration at W ashington in nrecognizingthe
Wheeling concern, set up for itself fatal
precedent, which has encouraged Pisrpoint
torepeat his revolutionary scheme. This
Alexandria Government will no doubt
claim to be represented by two Senators,
and will demand to be considered as the
Government Of Virginia.
We hope the President will put his foot
down upon Pisrpoint's little arrangement
bsfore It does any more mischief. If he sd-
here's to his Plan Of reconstruction proposed
in the last message, it is difficult Q see how
the Alexandria ssurpatIon can be tolerated.
That plan requires tue participation of at
least onetenth OF tne number Of voters vo
ting in each State az the last Presidential
election in order 10 reorganizs TIE State
Government, Deducting the votes cast in
the counties now comprising the State of
West Virginia, It's still certain that the
territory in PieIpoint's jurisdiction cannot
provide tie requisite population, and at least
until it does the Pierpont Government
should be regarded and held purely bogus,
-S Louis Republican