Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-01-12
Re-unicnof Disnembered Virginia.
WEST VA, January 2, 1866.


WEsr Va, January 2, 1866
70 the Editor otNe Alag
The fact that the subject Of a reunion Of
dislnembered Virginia is being agitated in
your Legislative Halls fills the hearts of
thousands in West Virginia with inexpressi-
BILE JOY.
Messrs. Garnett and Patterson erred when
they declared that West Virginia had sought
separation" The voice Of the people Of
West Virginia has never been heard OH this
question Only some Is, GOO or 20 600, out
Of upwards Of 40, 600, had an opportunity to
vote upon it and it is fair to presume that
at least one third Of those who did vote, voted
against separation so that this State was
severed from Old Virginia by about $4,000
or IA, 900 out of upwards of &c, 900 voters.
Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, Mercer
and Mcdowell, and | believe, Fayette, Ra-
leigh, Wyoming, Logan, Boone, Nicholas
and Webster never had an opportunity to
vote on the question of separation and they
are now in the State of West Virginia against
their will. ss.@
The statement Of Mr.. Pendleton Of Giles,
is substantially correct, The people of all
those counties are almost a unit upon the
question Of a return to the bosom Of their
glorious old mother They were literally
torn from that bosom, and they desire to re-
turn to it. They sigh for the internal en-
brace. Those who tell you that 1.-THE reverse
is true,' are not well informed they mislead
you. Nay, more; | believe if fair vote
were allowed throughout the State, very
decided majority would vote for immediate
reunion | believe, from good sources Of
information, that rnany, who originally ia
vored separation, now regret their course,
and long for an opportunity to repair the
wrong and injury they have done. Cfcoursc,
Ia majority of the ofice-holders, and the
squads they influence and control, prefer
separation, because they fatten thereby. But,
in my opinion. the honest masses are tired Of
the costly experiment Of a separate State Or
ganizat:on. Remove the odious 'stest oath, ,
and give all the people an opportunity to ex-
press their wishes, and the Estate of West
Virginia" would soon be numbered with
.'the things that were"
Slavery produced all the arrangements
that ever existed Every sensible man
knows this to be true, and every honest man
will admit it. Slavery is dead. The cause
removed, the effect ceases No 'sti'me'' is
necessary for the subsistence of those ami
mosities that subsisted between the people of
the two States" Those sanimosities' have
subsidized, and if any steps are to be taken
for reunion, the sooner the better.
Thousands of West Virginians, as loyal
to the United States Government as Govern
or Foreman is, or as he dare be, have no
rights civil or political, under the present
laws Of the State, except the right to pay
taxes. They cannot engage in business
they cannot vote; they cannot hold Office
they may be sued, but they cannot sue they
cannot serve as jurors; they can have no re-
dress for wrongs against person or property /;
and, worst Of all, they are compelled to sub
nit to the humiliation of having officials
among and over them, composed, in ma
jority Of cases, Of men who previous to the
war, formed the very dregs of society-illit-
crate, vicious, yindictiye and unprincipled.
Even in the highest position, are men who,
so far from enjoying popular confidence and
and respect, could not, if fair vote were
allowed, he elected to even the meanest and
hunblest Offices in the community.
/ Under existing circumstances thousands
of the worthiest citizens Of West Virginia
will be absolutely compelled to abandon the
State and seek an asylum where wiser and
juster policy is recognized. Is it not natu-
raj that they should hail with delight any
scheme that holds out even a faint promise OF
relief from the troubles that now environ them
"a peaceable solution of their present diff
culties You are fortunate in having wise
and liberal rulers, and if the exodus that
have indicated should not be stayed BY speedy
and wise legislation at Wheeling, you may
look out for large influx Of excellent popu-
lation from the country west of the Allegha-
mics. A faint hope, however, is yet enter
tanned that such a step may not be necessa.
ry. If disappointed in this hope, we are the
men to take that STEP believe it is not
considered treason to remove from one State
to another.
JUNIUS.