Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1913-06-03

Scene: Any free school in Yves
Virginia.
Time: Present
Characters: Teacher. pupils, par
snts and other visitors including
school officials.
Teacher: Willie Tell, please arise
What date are all West Virginians 80
ing to celebrate this year?
Willie: Friday. June 20.
Teacher: What anniversary falls or
that date?
Willie: The mi-Centennial of the
State.
Teacher: Give us in a few words
some facts about the birth Of West
Virginia
Willie: The first steps that led VI
to the formation of West Virginia as
an independent state were taken in
1851. On January Z, OF that year, the
Virginia General Assembly met in ex
traordinary session, and week later
ordered an election held February 4
for delegates to state convention al
the Capitol February Is. This con
vention passed an Ordinance of Sc
cession April IT. The vote which was
taken In secret was IS In favor; IS
opposed. Meetings OF protest fol
lowed, but on the 18th of June the
Virginia Declaration of Independence
was adopted in convention. Ordinance
recognizing and restoring the Vir
ginia state government passed June
10. with Francis H. I'ierpont as gov
ernor.
Teacher: Very good, Willie. Now
shall ask Ina Speaker to take up the
story from this point. Ina, what
happened next?
lima Speaker: At meeting of the
convention August 20 an ordinance
was passed ordering an election with
In the boundaries of the new state.
Teacher: What was the date of this
meeting?
Ina Speaker: October "a, 1861. It
was at this meeting that the ques-
tons OF division and of delegates
came up. The vote for a new state
was largely in its favor, the vote be-
ing 1889 for and 4S1 against. A new
constitution was framed and ratified
by the people April 3. 1862, by vote
of 1882 to 514.
The loyal assembly OF restored gov
eminent of Virginia met in Wheeling.
May 18th, and gave consent of Vir-
ginia to formation of West Virginia.
May goth certified copy Of the Con-
stitution was presented by Senator
Wiley In the U. s. Senate.
Bill for the admission of West Vir.
ginia passed Senate July 14th. In the
House OF Representatives the bill was
made the order of the day for Decem.
Der 9th. Passed the House, Decem.
Der 10th, and was approved, as a New
Years gift, by President Lincoln. the
night of December 81, 1852.
The Convention which had framed
the Constitution, without emancipa-
ton, was recalled and reasssmbled
February IL, 1883. The emancipation
instrument ratified March 26. 1853.
April Goth President Lincoln, hav-
ing received the certificate OF ratin-
cation, issued proclamation declar.
ing West Virginia State in the Union
sixty days from that date.
June 20, 1868, West Virginia was In
augurated and first administrative Of
ficers assumed their duties, at the
temporary capitol, the Linsly Insti-
tute, in the city Of Wheeling.
School Oficial: l wish to compli-
ment the teacher who has so success
fully impressed upon the memories OF
these pupils this particular bit of his.
tory that we all, young and old. should
be familiar with. l also wish to ex.
press to these two pupils my pleasure
at the intelligent manner In which
they have related the incidents lead.
ing up to the birth Of West Virginia "a
a state.
You all know that there is to be a
great celebration in West Virginia In
honor of the states flftieth anniver.
Sdf ne PldSc mere THESE
exercises are to be held is the city
of Wheeling. An elaborate program
is being prepared. In addition. how.
ever, to this Official recognition of the
Golden Jubilee, there will be celebra
tons everywhere throughout the state
/ want the children of our great free
school system to take lively interest
in this great event, and assist In ev
cry way they can to make the day
one long to be remembered. The
Semi-Centennial Commission has beer
very much interested in the schools
and school children OF our state and
are going to present two flags to ev
cry school-one U. 8. flag and one
state tiag-the latter made and de
signed especially for the celebration
June 90 You young people should
play a prominent part In the exer
clses In commemoration of the state.
natal day and the Semi-Centennia
Commission viii undoubtedly see to 4
that a place is reserved for you II
the program. In addition to any for
NAL part that you may take. however