The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-12-21

part Ol Lue CthlGs
TIE RESTORED GOVERNMENT.
The restored government grew out Of the
attempt OF Old Virginia TO drag West Yir.
ginia into rebellion, to break up the
Union and 10 enlarge the area OF slavery.
West Virginia saw that by the folly Of the
eastern part OF Virginia the war in the At.
lautic States was to be fought on old Old
Virginia soil, and that in the fight nearly
all Of her material interests would be de-
stroyed; and unless the people would re-
sist the rebellion, their own section would
be oyerrun and the war transferred to the
Ohio. Under these circumstances West
Virginians, to secure to themselves the
benefits OF civil government, under the
State and National government, raj
lied and organized the "Restored Gov
eminent Of Virginia" To prevent
themselves from being tied 10 that
dead body-0ld Virginia-when the war
should be over, they formed West Virginia.
They were admitted asa State OF the Union
under the solemn acls Of both houses Of
Congress, and with the approval Of the
President. Maine, Vermont, Kentucky
and Tennessee were admitted in the SAME
way. There was q reason and apparent
necessity for the formation OF all OF those
States. So was there a necessity aud a
reason for tho admission OF West Virginia.
SECESSION SENTIMENT ON THE BORDER.
When the war broke out, In 1861, many
timid statesmen at Washington, and some
OF strong coursge also, hesitated and said,
"let the South CO." The "Knights Of the
Golden Circle" were almost as strong in a
portion OF Southern Pennsylvania. South.
ern Ohio, Southern Indiana and Southern
Illinois, as the Democratic party, and they
regarded Democracy and the Confederates
as united in the same cause against Re-
publicans. II gives me great pleasure,
however, to say, that there were many
honorable exceptions among the more In.
telligent Democrats in these sectione,
many whose patriotism rose above that oi
the common partzan. Fol d time Mary
land, Kentucky and Missouri hung IN the
balance, and 1t was doubtful which side
they would take by legislative or conyen-
tional ordinance. The danger to the Union
was, that II West Virginia entered into the
rebellion, with the sympathizers in Ohio
the war would be carried into Ohio and
might separate the East from the West by
reaching to the lakes. Leading secession
politicians from West Virginia had prom.
| issd the Confederacy 10000 troops from
West Virginia. Matters stood in doubt,
fear and gloom at the North when the first
convention assembled at Wheeling in 1861.
THE WHEELING CONVENTION.
When that convention assembled, re-
porters were there from the principal cities
Of the East, Middle and Western States
At that meeting pronounced and deter.
mined Union sentiment in West Virginia
was developed. Union newspapers, at the
North, made the most OF 1t, to strengthen
and solidiiy Northern Union sentiment,
Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri halted.
The delegate convention assembled at
Wheeling, June II, 1861, and organized
the "Restored Government Of Virginia"
Loyal Virginia was then recognized in the
councils OF the nation. Her loyal troops
were organized and went into the field by
| the side Of troops from loyal States to fght
the battles OF the Union. Alter this
movement, there were no further
fears OF Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri
Withdrawing from the Union. West Yir.
einia proved constant embarrassment to
the Ooniederacy in another respect. Most
OF the leading Democratic politicians from
West Virginia left their homes and went
to Richmond at the breaking out Of war.
On the establishment Of the "Restored
Government" and the proposition to di,
vide the State, these refugee patriots oi
West Virginia in Richmond became clam
erous to return home, that they might
break up the restored Government" and
prevent the division Of the State. They
could only return by the aid ot a Cosfed'
e.ate army sufficient TO accomplish the
purpose. They importuned the Confeder.
ate President and Secretary Of War 10 send
an army to be called the Army Of the
Northwest" to conduct them TO their
homes and to break up the Restored Gov.
eminent" sndstop the division Of the State.
LEE TO THE FRONT.
"The Department Of the Northwest
was created and Gen. Lee appointed to iil
command. His army was made up oi
West Virginia Confederate soldiers, camp
followers and others from tho South. Or
the 9th OF September, 1881, after he arrived
at Valley Mountain, IN hAnuolpn county
he Issued that famous order, which filled
ali the Confederate sympathizlng hearts o.
West Virginia with joy and confidence
In that order Gen. Lee said: "The eyes o.
the country are upon you. The safety O.
your homes and all you hold dear depend
on your courage and exertion. Let each
maj, resolve to be victorious"
"The progress OF this army must be for
ward. But It turned out that "the eyes" o.
The Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia
troops under Gen. Reynolds were upon
htDI, and in less than q month, Lees army
and his camp followers became domofal
lied, and without much fighting
wended their way back 10 Richmond
Thus suddenly faded the Confederate
rope in West Virginia, while the loya
J hearts grew strong and confident The act
Of the restored Government, the division
, Of the State and the bravery Of the Unior
Westyirginia soldiers commanded the re
apect Of the Gonfederates and the con
fidence Of the Union people Of the nation
Dopgress might % well try 10 unite In onl
STATE New York and Pennsylyanls ls Il