The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-21
West Vireinia's Birthiay.

west Virginia was thirty-five years
of age yesterday, and while still young
She presents a record OF progress and
advancement in all lines that will COM
pare favonbly with those OF the COM
monwealths of an older growth. Since
the goth of June, when the new sta:e le-
gally became one OF the great family II
which She was proud to be member,
even while saddened that the mother
Z state had temporarily severed her con-
nectIon with 1t, West Virginia has vim
dIcated the wisdom OF those who pre-
sided at her birth, and there are, now
no regrets that the division which had
long beensthreatened and which came as
one OF the results OF the civil war, was
, brought about
But those days are past, and with
them all the feelings, sectional and 9TH
ewIse, that disturbed the peace. and har-
mony Of citizenship. To-day every West
Z Virginian, no matter what his position
: was in the storm amidst which this
young state was born. Is not only proud
of his state, but like every other citizen
Of this great country recognizes bat on.
Z flag. is loyal to but one country and de-
voted to but the one principle ct ma
tional unity In 4 struggle against a
common foreign foe.
Z. Few OF the fathers who were active in
I the formation Of the new state are left
!: 10 us. There was long list Of them,
TOO long to publish here. Those who
Z have gone, before being permitted TO
witness all that they had hoped for TIE
young commonwealth In the way II 3D.
: vancement on educational Industrial
and commercial lines. as well as in
growth OF puplation, wealth and general
development ure remembered tenderly
z by their colleagues who eurvlvc them
at advanced ages, and their names are
handed down to be honored by the
younger generations who are enjoying
(: the advantages OF the structure they
erected during the storm OF war.
or those who survive some OF them are
realizing what they accomplished, in
: their defining years. while some sill re-
fuse to admit that they are declining,
4 and expect 10 1.-Two to see grenter things.
Among those who have been looked
upon as the fathers, the venerable en-
Governor Perpont Is enjoying q peace
full old age. and though much cns'.bled
IS exhibiting the remarkable Vitality
Z for which he was always noted. The
4 same can be said OF ex-senator ". T.
Wiley, who. In the quiet OF his Nor
gantown home, Is honored BY all men.
Mr.. Campbell, and many others who are
z younger In years. are also with US, and
the thirty-hve years which have passed
over their heads since the stirring scenes
Of the period of the birth OF the state,
In, which they took SO active a part,
have left few marks. ,..5 .s5
But West yirglnians are not living In
the past, cave to honor the fathers OF
\ tho past gcncratlons-those both " dead
and living. They arc imbued with the
: spirit Of the living present. and tho
ambition for the realization Of Tho mag
niHcent future. tho signs OF whl:h are
bright upon the horizon OF the golden
dawn OF tho Twentieth Century. West
sVIrginIans, all. regardless OF past DIFF
4 fcrences, OF party politics, are united for
the one sentiment only which marks cut
q destiny OF progress and prosperity
y that will be excelled by no other state
In the Union.
Is ,r, 49,, gIt,n, Nyorrc cnsfIc nj Snnu.