The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-07-16

perhaps, gives better insight into that
vast combination of we'll laid plans
which had been maturing for thirty
years at the hands of factfonistS, who
ever shun to trust the success of their
evil designs TO the world. In this in
stance the people of Virginia were dis
trusted, and it can scarcely be ques-
toned that the result, if it had been
pronounced by them, would have been.
in decided opposition to convention.
It was a part of the tactics, em-
ployed on all similar occasions,
by which men are dragged into
revolutions brought about by the
corruption of the few and not
the spontaneous uprising of the nation.
1t is due to manly minority to record
that it opposed the measure as a nsur-
patton of the ancient rights and liber-
ties of the good people of the common
wealth, with all the eloQuence and zeal.
of ruen who felt that the very founda-
tions of republican government were
being shaken.
The time allowed for the canvass in,
electing members to the convention,
and the season of the year at which IL
was to occur, showed that the calmness
Which ought to possess the minds of
men in civilized life, when they prepare
to change the organic structure OF so-
ctoty, was not, to the majority of the
Legislature, an essential element, nor
within the scope of its purposes. But
three weeks We're allowed the people to
consult upon the character of The can
didateS presenting themselves for their
sufrages, and to reflect upon the proba-
BILE consequences OF their action, The
season too, was the most inclement of
the year, and when the highways were
in such condition that men preferred
the quiet and ease of the fireside, to the
animated, boisterous, active contests
OF the political arena. If, however, it
INT tkNfaFa TnTE
tors that these circumstances would
operate to the advancement of their
schemes, by causing the election to go
by default in those parts of the State
where they expected Opposition, and,
which were the most remote from the
capital, they were gravely mistaken.
AT this time the people of Virginia
were no uninterested Spectators OF the
great scenes which were transpirinp
round them. They had been unusual,
ly heated by the late campaign for the
presidency, and the occurrences in the.
Cult States had continued an activity
in the public mind upon the questions
of the day, that made them watchfuI
when il became apparent that their
own State was preparing to participate
in the passing events. Besides it was
felt that, from her geographical position
and her influence previous to that time
whatever was the fate of the country
history. Therefore, the campaign for
members to the convention, whilst it
was brief, was intensified by warmth
unknown, almost, to Virginia politics.
But this was not SO particularly in re-
lation to candidates as to the great ques-
ton of referring the action of the body
back to the people. Upon this the peo-
pie We're powerfully moved. 1t was
claimed that by this action, the State
might be prevented from pursuing the
plan of secession followed by the Gulf
States, even should their deputies to
the convention. betray their trust; that
the people would still control and
thwart the action of the demagogues,
So long had the country been enjoying
an almost profound peace, so little did
the generation of men then acting
know or understand the secret arts OF
cabals and the violence of faction, that
in their simplicity, and the honesty of
themselves match for the willy
politicians whose lives had been spent
in concocting the schemes now SO rap
idly maturing, and whose ranks were
disciplined for the encounter. Itis true
that the people are an overmatch for
the demagogues, but it is not in the
strife OF subtlety; it is in those contests
which are founded in the passions that
move mans nature. most, and nerve
his aim to deeds of virtue; and then
they dash to pieces their designs as the
ocean when lashedto fury tosses to the
winds the proudest engines of mans
device. --,.s-- $50. s-.5l.
Their votes, however, evinced their
interest. A majority of nearly sixty
thousand appeared in favor of referring
the action OF the convention to the peo-l
ple.s In the northwestern part of the
State, the unanimitv nwas singular.
The great Shenandoah Valley, which
q thnun6n6 n thp TNTr
Ridge and on the west by the Allegha-
niesj and stretches from the bosom of
the commonwealth of Pennsylvania
down beyond the Potomac to where the
peaks of Otter tower like giant senti-
nels TO the sky, also recorded the voice
of Its sturdy farmers for referring to the
people. Farther east and south the
counties were more divided Out of
one hundred and fifty thousand voters
only4about forty five Thousand were at
this. time, -secessionists; the remainder,
one hundred and ten thousand, were as
yet devoted to the Federal Union.
The convention met at the appointed
time and proeeeded to organize. 1t
was remarkable body of men. New
er, perhaps, in the history ofithe State,
had a body assembled in which
there was -. such. -.,-. an arrav 100 of
talent. 1t contained an ,ex-Presi-
dent of the United States. an
Ex-Governor of the State; many who
had held positions of cabinet ministry
in the Federal Government, and had
been representatives to both branches
of the Federal Congress. The most re
nowned lawyers OF the State sat side
by side with her philosophers and lit
erary characters. When the people saw
of what material it was composed, there
was feeling of security experienced
by all. The eminent and honorable
stations which majority of its mem
bers had filled, was a guarantee to
many OF wisdom and moderation. The
political complexion of the house was
the subject of study to the curious OBJ
server. The State had, since the Ciays,
of Jefferson, with but few exceptfonss
cast her vote with the democratic party,
Her Governors had been of that party;
her senators and representatives were
likewise IN large maj ioritywith it. In,
the preceding presidential election, in
consequence of the detection of the
Douglas wing, the electoral vote had
been carried for Mr.. Bell, the candidate
oflthe Wing party, by a plnrality Of
about three hundred, 4 over the electors
of Mr.. Breckinfidge. Yet when the
members of the convention were met ]
1t. was ascertained that out, of the whole
number, one hundred and fifty-tyyo.
eighty-ttve were the adherents of Mr..
Bell, thirty five had followed the for
times OF Mr.. Douglas, and the remain
der We're for Mr.. Rrecl<inridRe. Rnt
events soon transpired which showed
that no mere party Influence was NOV
ing the convention toward the preci-
Pice over which It finally hurled the
State to the ruins below. JohnlTanneV.
Esq, a delegate from Loudon county.
was, on the first ballot, elected presf.
dentof the body. He had been all his