The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-12-21

tended from ocean to ocean, and her
territory was sufficient for an empire.
Afterwards it was limited to the Missis-
sippi; and even in his day her western
gave to the Union the States of KEN
lucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michi-
gan; Iowa, DC; and In this pEodigal
spirit OF generosity had coded TO the
general government a territory sufH-
cient to secure to every one of her citi-
zeIls taxless existence. In, his opin
ion it was no time for acrimonious dis
cussions, but for GENERALIZATION of peace
and harmonious intercourse. --ss.-sa-5-r
Mr., Pendleton, OF Giles, represented
n county on the extreme border, and II
was due to them that he should dissent
from the views of the two gentlemen
who had opposed the proposition. The
offend any one. He could, therefore,
see no objection to their adoption. To
| table them, as proposed by Mr.. Grattan,
would do no positive harm. While liE-
ing within six miles ofthe line dividing
the two States. he knew ONO one, along
a line ola hundred miles, who opposed
the re-nniOn of Virginia. He hoped
that no other counties in Eastern Nir-
ginia entertained sentiments similar to
those expressed by the gentlemen from
Essex and franklin. He thought, how
ever, that the StdtUs of Virginia ought
to be settled before we talk of reunion.
Believing the resolutions premature, he
opposed their reference TO a committee.
Mr.. HansbrOugh, of Stafford, did not
know what are really the sentiments
of his constituents upon the mntter in
controversy; but, for his part he pre-
fcrred union and peace to war and
strife He. favored the sentiments of
the resolution.
Mr.. HerndOn thought that all pre-
ed for by the gentleman of Rocking
ham; and he felt that he would be rec
rcant to his manhood and the love he
bore his native State, If he We're not
ready to go with outstTetched hands
and implOre Western Virginia to re-
turn to the bosom of her mother. In
the contest which had just ended, all of
his sympathies were on the side of his
State and section. For them he was
then ready to give his property and his
life, If need be; and neither for place
nor profit would he ever deny that
when Jackson fell his heart bled, and
when Lee surrendered that he was cru
Gifted. But the question is settled, and
he could not but admit that the con-
querors had been mast magnanimous.
In fact, never in history did victo-
riOus people ever behave with moro
consideration toward those whom they
have vnnqnished in war. He wanted
Virginia again united, and would use
every honorable means to bring about
a union of the two sections.
Mr.. HerndOn spoke Mt some length,
with much earnestness and elOquence,
and WIS nttentively listened to.
Mr.. DiclIcrson, OF Russell, in order to
give members time to consider, moved
an adjournment.
The House refused to adjourn.
Mr.. GHrnett again obtained the floor.
He would not have opposed a single
resolution of inquiry, but the preamble
asserts as facts what he could not ac-
knowledge rs true. West Virginia had
chosen her future, and as Abraham snid
to Lot, he would say to her, ifshe elects
to take the West we will occupy the
East, and there shall be no strife be-
tween us.
Mr.. JOynes thought the introduction
of the resolutions, at this time, inoppOr-
tune. He heartily desired the reunion
of the two sections. He would not vote,
therefore, for AN indefinite postpone
ment of the subject as proposed by the
gentleman from Essex, because II would
mislead the country as to the temper of
the Legislature and people of Virginia.
He wns not willing to give up even the
panhandle. II old troubles and differ
ences are To he reupened, we shIlI never
have settlement of the question. We
must not discuss their moral or social
systems any more than they must our
institutions. II this be done, Generals
Grant and Lee have treated in vain.-
We must agree TO forget the past, and
bury all contentious between North and
South, East and West. Rather let us
bind East and West Virginia together
by bonds of iron, that we may once
more present to tho world the Jroud,
prosperousandr reunited Commonwealth
of Virginia. Then she will go on n
grand march of progress. ~
Mr.. Ellis, of Norfolk, said he loved
everything and everybody, and particu-
larly real estate; hetherefore naturally
favored anything looking TO the acQuf-
sition of the territory of West Virginia.
IOud calls for question.
The vote being taken by ayes and
noes on Mr.. Gnrnett's motion, the vote
stood-uyes u, noes 62.