The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-07-17

mously chosen president of the conven-
tioni g, u. Cranmer, of Ohio county,
was elected secretary. Other Officers
were also appointed. The committee
EecoI1mendeda a form for the oath of the
president, which was adopted, It re-
quired him TO swear to support the con-
stitution of the United States, and the
laws made 1u pursuance thereof as the
supreme law OF the land, ANYTHING in
the ordinances of the convention which
assembled In Richmond on the 18th OF
February, 1851, to the contrary not
withstanding. The report further pro.
vided that all members Of the conven-
ton should take a similar oath, to be
administered by the president, The
president took the oath upon assuming
the chair; 1t being administered by a
justice of the peace; AFTER which, the
members took the oath, as they were
called forward by delegations.
Before proceeding to make an appeal
TO the Federal Government, they re-
solved formally to declare In justifica-
ton, the motives which impelted them
to adopt such policy. The committee
which was appointed to prepare aud re-
port business TO the body consisted OF
thirteen member5: Carlile, of Harri-
sons Lamb, of Ohio; Pierpoiut, of Ma
rton; Hagans, of Preston; Van Win
kle, Of Wood; Berkshire, of Mononga-
liza POlsley, of Mason Boreman, of
Wood; Caldwell, of Marshall; Frost,
of Jackson; Porter, of Hancock /;
kaEnsworth, of Upshur; and Copley,
of Wayne. rls
The convention then proceeded to re-
organize the government of Virginia,
The committee reported an ordinance
on the fourteenth, which received the
unanimous sanction of the BODY on the
nineteenth, after few verbal amend
ments. To show that the convention
was actuated by spirit OF candor, and
entertained q true regard for the dig
nifty OF the undertaking in which they
were engaged, as well also the magnan-
unity of their enlightened patriotism,
It IS proper to state that an amendment
offered to the effect that, no person who
had voted for the ordinance of seces-
sion should be eligible to hold any Of
nee during the existence of hostilities
by the seeding States against the Fed
eral Government, was voted down bv a
majority of five to one.
On the following day, June twentieth, the
convention went Into an election for ofiiceTs
as provided by the first clause of the ordi-
was unanimously elected Governor of Vir.
gtnia; Daniel POlsley, OF MRson, was elected
t4ientenant 1 e Governor, without opposition.
OHIO, was chosen Attorney General. Peter
g. Van Wrinkle, of Wood, Daniel Lamb, or
0hlo, William Lazier, Of Monongalia, WI.
liam a. Harrison, and ]. W. Paxton, Of Ohio,
were selected as members of the Governors
council, under the second clause OF the ordi-
nance. Tsf =
Il VIII be observed that no changes were
made In the form OF the government, and
none essentially varying It's administration.
II was mere reorganization or restoration.
Upon the election OF the Governor, he was
waited upon by a committee who informed
him OF the fact aud escorted him to the hall
OF thR HnnvnnfiON Nuhaha bp t,n
scribed oath before q Justice OF the peace in
the presence OF the convention. a resoIu-
ton was adopted providing for the appoint
ment OF Q committee to procure a great and
lesser seal, the seals Of the commonwealth
being in the possession OF the late Executive
The devices and notices on the seals thereto
fore used by the State, with the addition on
each seal OF the words. /" Liberty and Union.'
exciteS greater interest. when Il Is rernenn-
bered that the seals OF Virginia bear the de
having broken the bonds or MS seryItute and
obtained the ascendency over hiS master
stands triumphantly with his foot upon the
dsPots prnstrate form, illustrating the mot
to OF "Sfc SeHlpeT T5JrdnTfST circlinR around
him. So likewise did the "peasantry of the
west, in the name OF Liberty and Union.
An ordinance was adopted relating to the
receipt and disbursement OF public revenue.
requiring the General Assembly so soon rs
counts Treasurer, aud Secretary of the
commonwealth, and providing the mode for
the qualification of these Officers and their
duties. Also an ordinance to authorize the
apprehension OF suspicious persons in time
OF war. ~ 80. -
Having reorganized the government and
elected chief executive officer and provided
for the election of all other Officers, clviI and
military, the lRb0Ts OF the convention were
evidently drawing TO close. Nothing had
been done that appeared to directly inauRu-
rate the popular movement for the fOrIin-
ton OF new state. In reality, however, the
true theory had been adopted, and the only
legitimate mode OF arriving at thar most de-
RtraDl6 result, had been conceived and noted
upon by the convention. II the government
mus restored, was acknowledged by the
tederal authorities, as the only government
in Virginia, then the legislative branch OF ii
could give its assent to the formation OF a
new State, as prOvldeL for by the constiLrl-
ton Of the United States. Leaving the great
question to be adjusted at a SUBSEQUENT day,
the convention adjourned on the twentieth
OF june to meet on the nTst Tuesdny In
August. =
The General Assembly met. in pursuance
Wheeling on the lst day OF July. The session.
was held at the Custom house, where the
GovernOT had already established his OiflcR
and where the other offices OF the govern.
ment were subsequently located. 49,
The House of Delegates Organized by the
eleetion OF q temporary clerk who enrolled
the members, when It was ascertained that
there were thirty-one present. A permanent
clerk was elected, one Of the members en-
rolled calling the names OF delegates. A
speaker was then chosen. A COMMITTEES
waited upon the Governor, who transmitted
A162aake nOQS9Ns Inc Eue8Sl4e
was plain statement OF the history OF the
movement, including the action OF the Rich
mond convention, and the subsequent acts
State. They were at war With the ioyai peo.
pie OF the state and the constitutional gov
eminent OF the United States. After a re-
view OF the matters leading to his election,
the Governor proceeded to state that he had
communicated with the President OF the
United States, briefly Feciting the cIrcum.
stances with which the loyal government OF
virginia was surrounded, and clRimiug pro-
lection against Invasion and domestic vio-
lence. He had received assurances nom him,
through the Secretary Of War, that such aid
as the constitution guaranteed in such cases
Ahould be promptly given. 100. =
Onthe 9Th of July, the houses on the Joint
vote, elected L. A. Hagans, OF Preston, Secre-
tary OF the COMMONWEALTH; Samuel Crane,
OF Randolph, Auditor Of Public Accounts,
aud Campbell Tarr, Of Brooke, Treasurer.
On the same day they elected John 3. GRrlile,
OF HARRISON, and Waitman 7. Wiley, OF
Monongalia, senators 10 the Federal Con-
There was stin question of primary i'm
porTance agltating the people. they were
commonwealth, a government in fact as well
MS In right. The sum Of the North- western
ylrglntans hopes was centered in new State
nles. II was ielt, therefore, by the conyeh-
tipn on reassemOlIng on the 9TH Of August.
that they had but one duty 70 perform.
The convention was augmented by the an
pearance of several members from the Ka-
nawha valley counties, which had, during
secession forces, under General Henry A.
Wise. This latter section had, from the ont
break Of hostihtiess been prevented from
participating in the thrilling scenes ALREADY
recorded; It had been the theatre OF outra9e
and v1olenes through the eTrRlic course d
the General commanding. Mock courts had
despoIed citizens OF their property in mo
name OF Justice, and lie was held on inc
tenure OF AFFECT acquiescence. Fhe advance
OF column Of Union troops under General
COX. put tine enemy to Night and restored the
sentiment OF the country TO It's oppositton TO