The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-14
home. It looked as II the fate OF the en-
a .inI. II,l

AAStt~s 49, aSNhNa Cd ~ hiiN iotS u thS Ca
terprise was uncertain indeed. But the
paper lived. although In precarlous
way for time. and pursued such.a fair.
firm and conservative course that 1t
gradually gained In influence and cir
culation, and when the great and eX-
citing presidential canvass Of 1860 open
ed Il was fairly able TO stand alone.
Mr.. Campbell went as a delegate from
Virginia to the convention that roml-
mated Abraham Lincoln for President,
and returning home gave his candidacy
an enthusiastic support, Wheeling was
the scene Of many excitements that
year. There was no telling What day
would bring forth in the way OF rio-
lencc. Eight hundred Republican votes
We're polled In the county--mostly in
the city, OF course.-and these among
the workmen III the iron mills. particu-
larry the LaBelle mill. About 5000
votes We're poled in the state. These
were the nucleus OF the Union organiza-
ton that at a later day rallied 10 the de-
Tense of the Nation and the salvation
Of the state from secession.
The local Republican speakers OF that
day were Mr. Campbell. Alfred Cald-
well and L, NJ. Norton. They discussed
the determinations III favor OF slavery,
OF representation In the Legislature, and
these were strong points that arrested
public attention and made decided
popular impression. Governor Pier
pont, although n Bell and Everett cleo
tor discussed these issues from the
same standpoint, and virtually made
Republican speeches. Public dOcu-
mcnts We're Issued and sent out among
the people showing how West Virginia
was subordlnated and injured In all her
interests by Eastern Virginia, and
gradually the way was prepared for the
new state movement and assumed
practical shape at the very outset OF the
war-just as Daniel Webster predicted
In 1851 would be the case In the event
that Virginia ever allied herself with
secession.
The history OF the Intelllgencer dur
Ing the war Is the history OF the Union
and new state cause. They will all re-
main one and inseparable in the annals
of West Virginia. In all those years no
one threw himself more earnestly. ably
and untlrlngly into the support OF both
than Mr.. Campbell. President Lincoln
told Governor Plerpont that 1t was
dispatch penned by Mr.. Campbell that
determined him 10 sign the bill against
admitted West Virginia into the Union
Us state. The Intelligencer was. the
right arm of the "Restored Govern
ment" of Virginia and Mr. Campbell
was the trusted, counsellor and sup
porter of the Union authorities both in
civil and military matters.
When the new State Constitution was
being framed he protested against the
clause recognizing slavery. and predict
ed that Congress would never consent
to the formation of u second slave state
out of the territory of Virginia. n pre-
dictiou that was verified TO the letter.
The Constitution had to come back for
amendment. and West Virginia was
finally admitted as free state.
After the war the great problem Of
the political rehabilitation of the state
had to be met. There was an intense
feeling among the rank and file of the
Union element In favor OF restricting
the suffrage. All who had aided or
allotted. the rebellion were regarded as
public enemies. dangerous to the results
OF the war and the public peace of So
| ciety. and therefore not to be trusted
with the ballot. Mr.. Campbell was
| forced TO dissent from this view OF
| many Union men. He believed that
such policy would make an Ireland
out OF the state. produce endless dlscord
and work to the infinite injury OF all
the material interests OF the common
wealth. He. therefore. prepared the
celebrated "let up address Gas ii was
called to the Union people OF West
Virginia. which was intluentially signed
In which these views We're strongly dis
cussed. and although there was wide
spread dissent on the part OF many
leading Union people and some bitter
criticisms at the moment, yet the sober
second thought of the people endorsed
the position thus taken, and at later
day II became, in substance, an amend
ment To our state constitution and as
such was adopted by the people.
Mr.. Campbell. although an original
and answering Republican, did not
hesitate when the occasion arose to
thus differ from his party. He differed
from them on the policy Of the green
on the currency of the government was
4 matter OF such vital moment TO the
public welfare that the party could not
afford to tempDrlze for the sake Of any
campaign advantages. He differed
from n large and influential element OF
the party on the issue Of the third term
in the Grant movement of 1850. n diff
ference that resulted In the memorable
denouement in the Chicago convention
OF that Year that is supposed TO have
paved the way to Garfield's nomination
for President. III that convention Sem
ator Roscoe Conkling. who was the
lender OF the third term movement.
sought by the introduction OF a resolu-
ton before the ballotinS begun. to COM
nit the delegates in advance to sup
port of the nominee, whoever he might
be. Mr.. Campbell, in an able and Wig
orous speech. opposed such unprcce-
denied action. Senator coRkliag
promptly offered II resolution proposing
TO expel Mr.. Campbell from his position
rs delegate In the convention. Mr..
Campbell obtained the floor and most
ably defended the position he had con-
scient!ously taken, and among other
things gave utterancc to the remark.
which gave him n national reputation
as a man Of unusual courage and abEi-
iiy, VIZ: whether in or out Of this con-
vcntinn. | carry my sovereignty under
my own hat" Mr.. Conklings resOlu-
ton dIl not prevail. Upon Mr.. Camp
bells return to Wheeling Il public mass
meeting was held In the Opera House.
elaborate addresses iudorsing his con-
duct in the convention We're made and
he was publicly presented with large
oil painting representing the Scene al
iudcd to IN the Chicago convention.
Mr.. Campbell with all his prominence
IN the public affairs Of West Virginia
for Il generation has never been.a poll
ticlan. lie has left the manipulation OF
conventions ard nominations to others.
He had no taste whatever In that dircc-
ton, prcfcrtins 10 discuss public meas
urcs In his paper ard on the hus,lngs.
He has been largely voted for time aud
again for the United States senate. and
there Is no doubt had he so chosen he
could have effected his own election.