The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-07-16
NO. 275.


of ascertaing the progress of acotetion
and detection. The resolutions were
voted on separately, and were amended
or stricken out, on basis generally "a
Torable to the union, cause. Bat the
great test vote was on tks sixth, for
which substitute was-Sodered provid-
ing that an ordinance of secession from
the Federal Union should be submitted
TO the people of Virginia at the annual
election in May following. This propo-
sltion met with most signal irebuke,
W 9,Vote OF torty-hYe for and eighty
nlne against 1t. The spirits of
the Union members rose triumphant
with the result, which eyfnced
such a decided majority against direct
secession, however much diversity of
sentiment might exist on questions of
adjustment, involving neutrality or
non-coercion. Prior TO this time few
days, scheme had been concocted by
the Csecessionists, designed to accom-
plish in the most revolutionary man.
ner, what they feared could not be done
| through the convention in its present
temper. A circular was issued signed
by six members of the convention, two
members OF the House ofDelegates and
the clerk, and extensively distributed
throughout the State. ItscalIed upon
the parties to whom it was addressed,
to present themselves in Richmond on
| the 10Th day of April, to consult with
the friends of southern rights as to the
course Virginia should pursue in the
present emergency; and to send from
each county full delegation of true
and reliable men. The object of this,
viewed in the light of subsequent
events, as TO the time OF meeting and
other circumstances. cannot be misun-
derstood. II was one link In the chain
| OF combinations which had brought
about such disordered state of public
affairs, and was designed to effect se-
cesslon with or without even the SEM
blauce of the forms Of law, W whieh many
would have attached to such action by
the regular convention.
After the vote on the report of the
| committee, a new system of tactics was
inaugurated. No longer was it a dis
cussion in which giant minds wrestled
Tor the supremacy. The voice of rea-
/ son and the itnpassioned appeals to the
conscience. were soon interrupted by
| the low mutteringS of those discorCant
passions ever heard when physical
force, having been overcome by the
sublime powers of moral causes, raises
its ghHstly tones to animated the fury of
its might. Terms of obloQuy and re-
proach were applied to those who still
resisted the secession mania; they were
scornfully dehoninated "submission-
ists." The galleries and lobbies of the
hall were filled with a wild, excited
throng, bounded on by negro traders of
| Virginia and bands OF negro hunters
from South Carolina. They frowned
and Missed when patriots below were
pouring out upon the altar of their
country the most magnificent tributes
nom their noble hearts and enlightened
cOnsciences. When they left the hall it
| was TO be insultingly met at the door
and on the streets, by epithets of igno-
miny and reproach. Another part of
the Internal devices, was the employ
ment of bands ofmusic, which traVarsed
the streets collecting a motley crowd of
| Ian 'fnN1SN a a..
who tore down from the market places
and public squares the flag of the re-
public, and hoisted in its stead the pal-
mettO and Confederate emblems. These
| same characters rOamed the streets at
night from place to place, and called
out The public men from the South, So
Journing In the city, and applauded the
| most extreme sentiments with the Wild
est echoes. 1t was part of their duty
also, to intimidate the Union members
| of the convention, especially those from
the northwestern part of the State; and
these on arising from their beds in the
morning would discover in close prox-
unity to their windows, ropes with sug-
geStlVe nooseS at their ends, pending
| from an adjoining tree or lamp post.
But still they remained firm, proudly
conscious of the integrity of their posi-
ton, rejoicing in the knowledge that
they were in the best of earthly causes
supporting good government; they
stood like the eternal hills, secure in
their foundations. The policy adopted
by the consPtrators produced its effects
on the people. That portion of society
which takes but little interest in public
affairs in ordinary times, isthe element
! from which factionists draw the largest
agency in furtheriDg their PURPOSES.
They are ready to distinguish between
ordinary and extraordinary periods In
the passing eventsi and when they dis
cover violent measures controlling the
| hour, either from 9timidity or iRnorauce
they hasten TO join themselves with
those who are usurping the reins of
power, or who occupy the largest share
came attached to the party of the con-
| spfrators aud thus swelled TO the pro-
portions of respectability, they deemed
the hour for action had arrived, A
prominent actor In the scenes in Vir-
ginin, was dispatched to Charleston.
South CdrolTna, TO announce that eveTy.
thing was in readiness in Virginia for
the inauguration of the fiual act OF the
drama. He told the Carolinians that
they must strike the blow, and 'in an
hour, by shrewsbury clock, his State
would be with thetn." This was wei
| come announcement to the Southern
leaders. For months the public mind
| had been phrenzied by AnticipAtions,
| Society had experienced some of those
uPheavals which precede revolutions,
i anu 20 lar COWAEQb resolving II 10 its
original elements, War had been the
theme of Conversations IN all circles, and
all who had dared lit voice against
the universal rage, had been sifenced
without mercy. Armies had been
equipped and disciplined, and In the
gush of their enthusiasm the young
soldiers were crying to be led to the
field. Public expectation was at the
highest point and was clamofinR for
qualification. The chiefs however, We're
awaiting the auspiGious moment, when
the greatest moral force could be set in
motion TO aid their schemes. This
promise then, from the mother OF
States" which to the people, would
give sanction TO the enterprise and sue
cess II it were within the range Of pos
sibility, was the signal for the boasts
and efforts of thirty years 70 culminate
In the first direct assault of active war
fare and the opening of hOstilities, The
fruits OF this advice was the firing on
the walls of Fort Sumter, IN Charles
ton harbor, the echoes from whichWere
returned by the mountains OF o conti-l
nent, and only ceased when the nation
al honor was baptised in the blood ofa
million citizens. 2f 1fiss Ll3T----5slt
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