The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-03-27
HOW WEST VIRGINIA WAS
BORN.
Some History I'm which Senn.
tors WILEY. Carlisle, Judge
Blair. WIN. &. Brown
and Others Ffgur.
ed Largely.

written history Of 'the war-born"
State of West Virginia was recently
detailed to your representative by
Judge Jacob Beeson Blair, who has
been the United States Judge in
Territory since March,
1876. when he received his appoint
ment at the hands of President
Grant. Judge Blair stopped in Park
ersburg a few days to visit his SON
in-law, Mr.. Fl. II. Moss, cashier of
the Parkersburg National Bank,
while on his way home from Wash
ington, whittier he had gone to de-
fend himself against some hun
CRY office seekers, who were trying
to unseat him for personal reasons.
He was no stranger here. In 1861
he was citizen of this city, and in
the stirring scenes and important
events of the dark days of rebellion,
he played an important part. At
that time the Judge was practicing
attorney at the Wood county bar,
and man noted for his intense
Unionism.
On the 23d of May, 1861, the vote
was taken in the State of Virginia
on the ordinance of secession. The
result in the counties West of the
and which now comprise
West Virginia, was overwhelmingly
opposed to the ordinance Suisse
quent events are common history.
The three Wheeling conventions and
the organization of what is known
in history as "the restored govern
ment of Virginia" the election of
State officials, etc, followed in quick
succession. At that time the late
Hon. John S. Carlisle, a prominent
and talented citizen of Clarksburg,
represented the Parkersburg Con
gressional district, as it was then
constituted, in Congress. Under the
restored government he and Hon.
Waitman L. Wiley were chosen
United States Senators.
JUDGE BLAIR's PLATFORM.
Judge Blair became candidate
for the vacancy caused by the pro-
motion of Mr.. Carlisle, and was elect
ed in 1861. He had two planks in
his platform and stood boldly upon
them during his campaign. The
first was the suppression of the re-
bellion as speedily as possible, and
at whatever cost; and the other was
the formation of new State oIt of
the counties west of the mountains,
which had shown their loyalty by
polling but 1000 votes for secession
out of total of nearly $4,000. The
Judge was elected by a gratifying
majority.
Knowing that he was thoroughly
conversant with the history of the
events which led to the birth of our
State, and wishing to place on rec
ord his version of that part of our
State history, the reporter persuaded
the reluctant Judge to give the de-
tails as he remembers them. 1t has
been a question open to controversy
at various times, as to who played
the greatest part in getting the bill
through Congress and in persuading
President Lincoln to sign it. This
interview clearly shows that it was
a common work in which many were
interested and entitled to credit.
The story is told in the exact words
of the Judge, who informed me that
the incidents recorded are as fresh
in his memory as though they had
happened but yesterday. Said the
Judge:
mo one man, in my opinion, car
claim individually the credit of the
proud result of the formation of this
State. There were willing hands
and hearts on all sides, and numer.
Gus prominent citizens deserve the
highest commentator for their de
votion to the cause, and their assist
ance in the accomplishment of the
final result. Among these l would
mention ex-senator Waitman Il
Wiley, of Morgantown; Governor
Arthur l. Foreman, of Parkersburg
A. w. Campbell, at that time editor
of the Wheeling Mtelligencer; thu
late William G. Brown, of Kingwood
at that time Congressman from this
State; Ex-Governor F. II. Pierpont
of Fairmont, and many others, who's,
names | do not now recall. 1t will
make but little difference to any o
those fortunate enough to have beer
identified with the movement whicl
resulted in the birth of this rising
Commonwealth, where the credit be
longs, so long as the State of Yves
Virginia, for which they labored, il
grand accomplished fact.
THE FIRST BILL LOST.
when | went to Congress from
this district in 1861 left my con
stituents pledged to two things: th,
Suppression of the Rebellion, and TIN
formation of a new State, If possible
These vital questions rode as hob
bies. At the first session of Con
gress in which / served the new
State bill was presented and lost OF
the first vote. Nothing further wa
done during my first term, and sool
the session was over and the effort.
put forth were barren of results.
was again successful candidate u
the next election and my platform
was the same as before.
when l went to Congress Tin,
second time, l took with me petition
signed by thousands Of names askin;
for the formation of new State
When the bill came up for passag'
the second time the matter had bee
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