Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-10-20

these battles were OF several days duration
aud certainly a Congressman would not
Wish these brave men to StarVe and ight at
the same time. Il is indeed sorely taxing
the honor of a representative In Congress
when he bends 80 low as to attempt to
leprivea a soldier Who has performed his
duty so well and who has acted so bravely
as Capt. Burdett he's, of that honor which
Is so dear % him. II may do to attack
private character, but to attempt to snlly
the character Of man whose record as q
soldier is SO fair, is depth too loWifor
an honorable opponent TO penetrate. II
patriotism, high sense of honor, con-
slant devotion to duty, entitle man to
the consideration of bis fellOW-Citizeug,
then Capt. Burdett certainly deserves at
their hands mark of respect. Il was him
that furnished the first powder that pleaded
loyal guns in Virginia, and hefcaEried that
powder from his home In PruntytOWn 70
Grafton at midOight. When the people of
PruntytOWn were threatened by the bush.
Whackers aud Ia nightly expectation of
having their homes burned over the heads
of their sleeping inmates, Capt. Burdett
molly went to- Grafton and gave his bond
for one thousand dollars as security for
fifty stand of arms and ammunition for the
use of the citizens for home dsfense.-
Those arms are yet in the bauds Of the
people and the bonds now stand recorded
against the patriot who, in the hour Of
trouble, knew nothing but his duty 70 his
ueighb0Fs and his country. For such de-
VOtion to the interests of his State aud bis
immediate neighbors he has received no
reward, and for one entire campaign, from
the beginning Of the war until February,
1862, he gave to the cause OF the Union
his constant services without one dollar Of
compensation, nor did he stop here; so
imbued was he with the interests OF West
Virginia that to my certain knowledge he
proffered, 10 June, 1851, the QuartermasteF
at Grafton for the Government, loan OF
Ave thousand dollars, without interest, ON
condition that the money should be used
to purchase stores, exclusively from the
people of Virginia. This was ct q time
when none but the most devoted patriots
could discern CLEAN Of light rising above
the dark horizon that was shrOuding our
country. John s. BuFdett was the man
for the hour. he met the expectations OF
his felIow-eitizens. They repOsed conf
denCe in him aud he returned that COnti-
dence as an honorable man and true
patriot. sf ANY
Another storm is now gathering over
the destinies of West Virginia. She with
our common country is recovering from
the thrOes of rebellion and the beginning
of the end, If treason is at hand. We all
look forward with hopeful hearts for the
early dawning of the bright beams of peace,
when industry, commerce and agriculture
will again return their rewards TO the peO-
pie, but the day Of the nations glory viii
be the commencement of a new trouble IN
West Virginia. For fifty years the citizens
of Western Virginia grOaned beneath the
oppression of the eastern portion OF the
State, aud when the war is over the. people
of West Virginia will again be called upon
through their Representatives in Oongress
to preserve the very existence of their State
organization. With such a man as Oapt.
Burdett representing them in Congress,
cool, eloquent, industrious and brave, COM
manding as he does the respect of every
public man in Virginia, he would be a
tower of strength against any attempt 70
strike West Virginia, the youngest but the
brightest star from the glorious galaxy OF
the nation. People of West Virginia,
Capt, Burdett has been true to you in the
hour of trial. He has served you With
honor through scenes of carnage and
bloodshed, and we defy any man living TO
point to a single act of his life that will not
stand a strict investigation. OutspOken
and manly, he Ihr0ttled treason in the dark
corners of the State aud exposed its bloody
track to the light of day. Let ne then
elect the man Of the people to Congress.
Passion.