New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-04-08
ALL TUE vInGINIAs.


with the multiplicity Of yirginias, and solicits
calculation at our hands. We will do our best
to clear our cotemporary's perception viz:
/. The State Of Virginia Chen including
Kentucky and an indefinite region northwest OF
the Ohio was formed of the colony of like name
at or near the time Of our Declaration of lnde-
pendence. Being ono Of the Original lhr.
tcen," she is naturally spoken of as Oh VIZ
ginia. The oxcision of the Northwest Terri
tory, Of Kentucky, aud finally OF West Virginia,
left her still Virginia.
III. This State, having taken q prominent
part in the initial resistance TO the usurpauons
and aggressions Of the British Government, in
the Declaration Of Independence, in the Reyo-
lutionary War, and in framing the Federal Con-
stitution, deliberately ratified that Constitu-
ton. with ample warning from her most Illus
trious orator, Patrick Henry, that it absorbed
her sovereignty in that Of the Nation-that II
was not a compact between sovereign States,
but framework Of Government, constructed
'by the People Of the United States" who only
have rightlul power to modify or transform it.
I'LL This State of Virginia elected Con-
stitutional Convention in the Winter Of 1oGO-l.
More than two.thrds Of the Delegates thereto
were chosen as ayowcd Unionists by an over
whelmug Union majority OF the popular vote.
That Convention repeatedly, persistently refused
10 favor Secession until after the Rebel attack
on Fort Sumter, resulting in its reduction and
surrender; when ferocious mob of Richmond
negro.traders, blackegs and general ruitans,
bullied the Convention into passing, By al
majority Of some 20 20 50, an ordinance
of secession. That ordinance, by its terms,
was not 10 take effect until ratified
by popular vote in defiance Of which, the
State authorities proceeded forthwith to make
a secret compact with the Confederate Govern
ment, and to make open war on the Union by
selling the Norfolk Navy-Yard. and Harpers
Ferry Arsenal, and welcoming to her soil a
Rebel Military force from the openly seeded
States. So, the popular vote on Secession,
when taken, was shameful farce-most of the
State being already in the Military possession OF
the Rebels, domestic and other, and votes for
the Union only to be pollcd at great personal
peril. Senator James NJ. Mason (now envoy to
Great Brittany openly proclaimed and published
that those who voted against Secession fought
TO leave the State"
w. That portion of Virginia lying westward
of the main ridge of the Alleghenics-rathe
more than third of the whole in area, but
hardly fourth in opulation-holdng few
slaves was overwhelmingly Union and so
voted. Its vote was not generally received and
counted at Richmond. Secession was Officially
proclaimed as having been ratified. The loyal
Unionists who were not under the coercion OF
jeff. Dayi5s bayonets repudiated and spurned
the pretended Secession rs a nullity, and called
meeting at Wheeling of those members elect
to the new Legislature as were still faithful to
the Union. Thoy met accordingly, and per-
fectcd State organization, which has since
boen known az the loyal government Of OLD
Virginia Francis ii. Pierpont, Governor.
" The loyal State of Old Virginia, through
the regular action Of its Legislative and Execu-
Tive authorities, consented to the formation
thcrefiom Of the State of West Virginia and
that State has been constituted accordingly.
1t comprises chs northwestern third Of the old
State. Congress assented to this action and
admitted tho new State Of Vest Virginia; her
people having in every legal way demanded the
same. Of this State Of West Virginia, Arthur
j. Foreman Is Governor; whilo Francis H.
PierpoDt remains Governor of Old Virginia.
that is of the loyal State SO named
| Nov docs The Nsvs commencement