Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-30

Virginia, and under his able guidance
gave its full support to the administra-
zion of President Lincoln and to the move
ment to erect a new state out Of the
transmountain counties. Pierpont himself
ios. zeal man Tor governor Oh the
new commonwealth, and would doubtless
nave been chosen for that place had he
so desired. But it seemed to him that
mis- duty pointed toward the maintenance
f at least the semblance of a loyal gov
eminent for old Virginia, now wholly
given over to the rebellion, except where
ler soil was occupied by federal troops.
He therefore upon the establishment OF
he new state moved his capital to Alex
andria. and after the Union forces occu-
)ied Richmond to that city, where he
overnor. Gen. H. H. Wells. in the spring
Of 1868
1T was in his administration of the
government of Virginia after the fall of
Richmond that the full strength OF Gov.
Pierpont's character came out. He found
himself in the midst of hostile popula-
ton, governor of commonwealth OF
which he was no longer even cit zen.
The United States marshal was institut-
Ing proceedings looking to the confisca-
ton of the property of all participants in
the rebellion. Gov. Pierpont protested
vigorously against all such proceedings,
and set his face resolutely in the direction
of Cancellation and pacif1cation. He
to him. With the meager funds at his
disposal he reha affiliated as best he could
the charitable institutions Of the state.
which were destitute, and for three years
beyond praise After surrendering his
Office in 1868 he returned to his old home
at Fairmont. where he spent the remain
ing thirty years of his life in dignified
and honorable retirement.
Mr.. President. West Virginia does well
to honor Pierpont. He was born within
her borders. With the exception of the
five years spent as governor, he lived
there all his long life. His body lies be-
meath her soil 1t is somewhat of an
ed the Father Of West Virginia. he never
held office under her government"
Incidents of His Career.
Senator SCOTS address was interesting
because of incidents of Pierpont's career
which he described. He said, in part:
Nothing is more interesting at this
time than an article written by Noah 8.
Reader in the Wellsburg Record. This
graphically describes the situation in the
western part of Virginia. and tells OF
Gov. Pierpont having been in four of the
principal counties and everywhere being
asked what the Union people could do
He expected advice himself. but instead
found that the Unionists were coming to
MIN Tor ADVICE. ne biiHpiy odIus I1Ou vi
to the Union Mr.. Reader then describes
how in this depressed state of mind he
went to his Office and took down the Con-
stitution Of the United States. Audibly he
said: old Constitution, l will give you
one more reading He does not know
why he had not done it before but he
commenced at the preamble. carefully
reading article by article and section by
section until he came to the section which
provides:
1.-The government of the United States
shall guarantee a republican form Of gov
eminent to each state in the Union. re-
pei invasion, and suppress instruction
and rebellion when called on by the legis-
lature Or by the governor II the legisla-
ture cannot be convened in time
When he got through the section he
sprang to his feet, threw the book with
force on the table and exclaimed. 1 have
got YOU. He walked the floor for few
minutes in brisk step, and in less than
a minute the whole proceedings Of the con-
vention. it's representation the declaring
of all offices held by secessionists vacant.
representation in Congress and division
of the state passed before him like q
panorama He went into his house and
told his wife that it was clear He met
one of his neighbors on the street and re-
marked to him, 1T will all come out
right.
Sorofor uavhurn,s Trihute