The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-19
WEST VIRGINIA.

In the House OF Delegates OF the Vir-
GINA Legislature, on Saturday, Mr..
Woodson of Rockingham, offered the
following preamble and joint resolutions
in regard to the division of the State Of
Virginia: S.
Whereas, during the late unfortunate
war, which has resulted in the complete
restoration of the authority and laws OF
the National Government over every
part of our common country, the State
of Virginia was divided, and the State
Of "West" Virginia formed exclusively
within the territorial limits of Virginia
which act, to say the least of 1t, of
doubtful nconstitutiOnality and mani
testify to the detrimsnt of the people of
both States-creating the necessity for
the support of the two governments in
stead of One-vastly augmenting the
burdens of taxation upon the people,
and tending to produce alienation be-
tween the people of the two States:
And, whereas, the people of Virginia
anxiOusly desire the redintegrati0n of
the State of Virginia according to her
former boundaries, and the re-establish-
ment of one government over the whole.
Therefore,
BE it resolved by the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia., That it is the wish of
the people of Virginia, that the parti-
ton of the territory of the State into
two States should no longer continue !;
but that the ancient commonwealth of
Virginia should be restored, with all
her people, and up to her farther boun.
daries.
Resolved, further, That q joint COM
mittee of seven on the part of the House,
and four on the part of the Senate, be
appointed, whose duty it shall be to re-
port to this General Assembly at the
earliest practicable period, If they deem
1t expedient, proposition to be submit
ted to the State and people of West Xir-
ginia, for the accomplishment of the
purpose indicated in the joint resolution.
Mr.. Garnett moved the indefinate
postpOnement of the above preamble
and resolutions. He was opposed to the
proposed reunion. The people of West
Virginia had voluntarily withdrawn,
and he was willing to let them choose
for themselves in this matter. Under
the circumstances of their desertiOA, he
could not consent to invite them back.
Mr.. WoOdson said his object in intro
ducing the resolutions was to call the at
tentiOn of the Legislature to the subject.
If the proposed reunion should be dis
tasteful to either State, he did not desire
it.
Mr.. Patterson, of Franklin, said the
people of West Virginia had long been
dissatisfied-theyh have at last made their
own selection-they have without any
good or sufficient cause gone off, and let
them go in peace. They have set up
for themselves, they have their Senator'S
and Representatives in Congress, and
he was willing they should remain in
the enjoyment of a position they had
chosen for themselves.
Mr.. Grattan differed with the gentle
men from Essex and Franklin. He de-
sired to see old Virginia as she was-one
sovereign State, one united people, bound
together by all the natural ties of family,
kindred, territory and public improve
ment.
Mr.. Wilson, of Campbell, regretted
that this subject had been brought be.
fore the House to day-yet he was in ia
vOr of the purpose of the resolutions
Ho could see no difficulty i'm the way of
a reunion. Is there anything to pre-
vent reconciliation He believed the
people of the West would return as err
ing children, and nothing would rejoice
him more.
Mr.. Pendleton said he came from a
county bordering on the new State OF
West Virginia. All the people of his
section were in favor OF a reunion.
| Mr.. HansbrOugh did not know the
opinion of the people whom he had the
honor to represent OH this question. He
was, himself, i'm favor Of union and
peace, and he should do all i'm his pow
err, consistent with propriety, to restore
old Virginia to her ancient limits and
boundaries.
Mr.. Herndon was decidedly in favor
of q reunion of Virginia.
Mr.. Garnett again addressed the House
on the subject. fla simple resolution
of inquiry on the subject had been intro
duced, he did not know that he should
have offered any opposition to it; but
look at the preamble! The gentleman
from Rockingham, had gone too far on
this question.
Mr.. J0ynes felt embarrassed by the
course and spirit of the debate. He did
not wish to be considered rs slanlming
the door in the face of West Virginia.
He was an Eastern man in all respects,
yet he hoped to live to see the union of
East and West Virginia consumated.
He referred to the fact that the Congress
of the Confederate States had resolved
that there should he no peace until the
west should be restored to us. And he
was not willing to yield any portion of
the glorious old Commonwealth. No,
he was even unwilling to give up the
famous Panhandle.
Mr.. Ellis was opposed to the motion
for indefinite postponement. Hethought
the question might be disposed of at pre-
sent. His love of the human race was
unbounded. He loved the Western peO-
ple-he loves every body, not emitting
the ChOctaw nation. But, if there is
anything he loves more than humanity,
it is real estate. He has q particular
and peculiar affection for that. West
ern Virginia belongs to us--if not her
people, certainly her real estate, her ter
ritory. 1t is our property.
Mr.. Garnett withdrew his motion to
postpone the resolutions indefinitely,
and moved to lay them on the table.
On this motion, Mr.. Strayer, of Shen-
andoah, called for the ayes and noes
which resulted-ayes II noes 63.
Before further action, on motion, the
House at a late hour, adjourned.
THE APPLICATION of A. III. Garland,
Esq, of Arkansas, formerly an attorney
~ kI,o ao,,rf o.,I Late m ,,,n,,, los ~ th,