The Weekly Register
Point Pleasant, VA., Thursday morning, March 26, l863
Speech of Hon. A. Flesher.
The following extracts are taken from the speech delivered by Hon. A. Flesher, at Friendship, Jackson county, Va. We had intended to publish it in full but the want of space prevented us.
Fellow-Citizens.- The question that has convened us this evening, is one of stupendous grandeur and magnificence. It must necessarily agitate, and to some extent, absorb the public mind—the formation of a new State. The work for its completion has all been done except what is wisely left for you, which is to ratify the amendment suggested by Congress and now placed by your convention in the Constitution. If this amendment meets your approbation and is adopted by a vote of the people within the forty-eight counties composing the New State on the 25th day of this month, the new State of West Virginia is made, and she stands in the grand sisterhood of States in the Union. The reasons assigned for this great movement, when compared with the objections urged against it, will most assuredly convince us of the great necessity of the measure. This question of dividing the State of Virginia is an old one, and has been entertained and desired by men of thought and power and judgment for more than a quarter of a century. And as time has passed along the reasons for division have become stronger, and the objections have grown beatifully less.—Some of the objections now offered against the New State as I have learned them, and here may be briefly considered, and thus by a negative view of the subject may discover the weak and flimsy foundation on which the cuemies of the New State are standing. Their superstructure is built or composed of the following numbers. 1st, the legislature which gave its consent to the division of the State was not the proper legislature of Virginia, 2d, Congress has dictated to us in which they have transcended their legitimate bounds. 3d, if the New State Constitution is adopted we shall be overrun with free negroes. 4th, to divide thus, is to all intents, and purposes secession. And 5th, the whole proceedings in the matter is wrong and unconstitutional. This last is the grand king post in the building by which they hope to hold it together. Let us examine the objections briefly, which form this castle in the air, and if found logical and reasonable give them the credit fully due, but on the other hand if chaff, rotten, and nothing but sophistry treat them with that contempt their advocates deserve. That the Legislature which assembled at Wheeling and gave its consent for the division of the State in May last is the true and proper Legislature of Virginia cannot now be questioned, since the highest authorities of the nation have so decided it. The President of the recognition of Governor Pierpoint as Governor of Virginia, and corresponding with him as such, has acknowledged the Wheeling Government the true, loyal and legitimate government of the State of Virginia.—The Congress has also decided the same thing—in the Senate by admitting our Senators, and the House of Representatives by admitting our Representatives. The Secretary of the Treasury done so by paying over to the Wheeling Government the $40,000 belonging to Virginia. And the Secretary of War also recognizes it. Is not this testimony enough? Weigh the judgment of these high dignitaries in the scales of common sense, with that of these croakers in the country clinging to the forfeited and rotten dynasty at Richmond, and who do you find the better judge? And to what conclusion do you come? You all must acknowledge that the President and his Cabinet together with the Congress are by law made the only judges in the matter.
“But Congress has dictated to us.—This is false in toto. Our application went to Congress praying for admission. They had a right to admit or reject us. They did not say no, we will not admit you, but suggested that if we would make a slight alteration in one section of our Constitution they would receive us. At this suggestion both our Senators prepared a bill, and that of Mr. Willey was received.
“We shall be overrun with free negroes.” To save those men from such a state, we may only remind them that the same laws which have ever protected us from such a calamity, will still protect us, as they are in full force and effect, until altered or repealed by the Legislature of the New State. And more abundantly so, as at this time the free negroes of Eastern Virginia have a right to come and settle among us, but as soon as the New State is adopted, they dare not come no more than they could come from any other State.
But says one “divide the State now is secession.” Who makes this objection? Does any make it that voted against the ordinance of Secession?—Not one. How contemptly is tender man of Secession proclivities become on Secession. They were willing and voted and make war in the government of the United States. But now that the loyal men of the State are about to hold West Virginia in the Union I despite all the wiley machinations of the State east or west. They are not “Secession”. O! Secession from the other part of the state.”
Now let us for a very few minutes look at some of the advantages as well as the reasons for adopting the Constitution as amended of our new State of West Virginia. Our geographical position is such that the two sections of the State are as dissimilar as any people of the Union—our people can never live for they never have, on an equal footing with those Eastern negro raisers.
Commercially we are separated by the lofty range of the Alleghenies, placed their by the Divine author and consequently can never have that free and profitable trade with each other desired by the people of the State.
They have so arranged the taxes that the weight must fall on Western Virginia, while the East’s peculiar property was to a great extent freed from taxation altogether. When the taxes thus wrongfully wrung from us were collected, did our part of the State receive any consideration for it? No, nothing and worse than nothing. These cunning wire workers borrowed money on our credit and built railroads into the Valley tunneling the Blue Ridge, by which they have tied the people of the Valley, commercially to themselves. Thus you have been taxed $620,000 annually to assist in securing the Valley to the East. And now the people of Western Virginia are left out in the cold, fit for nothing but to be taxed and trampled upon. No wonder we feel like setting up for ourselves. We have born it until forbearance is no longer a virtue. We would not be true to ourselves and our children, if we would be still willing to remain tied to the old dead carcass and be imposed upon and spit upon any longer. God in his Providence has now given us an opportunity to free ourselves from this “bondage of corruption” and I am only amazed and astonished that any man can be found in all these 48 counties who will not joyfully embrace the opportunity and seize the boon of Heaven and be free!
And now in conclusion let me urge you to go to the polls in solid and vote for our new State—West Virginia—and you will be ever happy and proud of your act for God will bless you in the deed.
ABOUT JENKINS. Col. Thompson of the 3l Va., Infantry who lately arrived at Bulltown from Sutton states that rebel regiments had arrived at Lewisburg, Va., on the 4th. It was thought in military circles that the rebels intended to make demonstration in West Virginia, about the time of the election on the New State question. He states that Jenkins is at Coal Knob, in Greenbrier county, about 65 miles from Bulltown, and the prisoners captured belonging to his command, say that he intends to make another raid through West Virginia as soon as the roads get in a passable condition.—[Wheeling Intelligencer]
NEW STATE – SOLDIER’S VOTE.
Col. J. P. R. Smith and Capt. John Bowyer, commissioners, appointed to take the vote of the soldiers informs us that the soldiers are unanimous for the New State. They had polled up to Tuesday, some l,200 for the amended constitution to eleven against.
A private letter from Jackson county to one of our citizens contains the following good news about the new State.
We are having meetings for the new State all over the county. The Union men seem all astir in the good cause.—From present indications I believe a nine-tenths of our people will go for the amendment or in other words, for our new free State. I hope the friends in all the other counties will roll up an exemplary majority on the day of election. I hear good news from all the lower counties. I feel persuaded that on the 26th the new State will sweep this lower county with almost the same unanimity by which it passed the Convention.
Next to faith in God, man’s faith in himself is his own salvation.
E. Tillner would respectfully announce to the public that he has just opened a saloon in this place and is now prepared to accommodate the public with all seasonable refreshments such as Spiced, and Pickled Oysters, Ham and Eggs, Sardines &c. on call. The best articles of Orange, Lemon, Raisins, Figs, Nuts, Candies, Tobacco and Cigars constantly on hand. Ale, Lager Beer, Lemonade &c. always on hand ___________.
The following extract we copy from a letter to a gentleman at College Hill.—It was written by a volunteer of the first Kentucky regiment, and shows the ring of the true metal. He says:
The signs of the times are most cheering—the “conscription” not of Congress is giving a new life and energy to the army of the Cumberland. We see and feel that we have a country have a, and that this dark and bloody rebellion will be crushed and that, too, during the coming year.—You know that there is nothing but patriotism that could induce a man like me to live three years in the army, and brave the dangers of such fields as Shiloh and Murfreesboro—and when we do have a peace, I want it to be an honorable one or I want to die trying to achieve an honorable adjustment of our national difficulties. I want no compromise. I would much rather die on some well fought field than to see the honor or the great principles of our Government compromised, wouldn’t you?
There is nothing new here—all is quiet; but the army is full of hope and enthusiasm, and when you hear of a battle of the army of the Cumberland, you will hear of a great victory or of terrible slaughter—we never run—“victory or death” is our motto. A sword or a grave!
Deserters from the rebel army are arriving at Baltimore almost daily. Of the 5th fourteen arrived, were relieved and sent into Pennsylvania to seek employment and homes. Seven of the number were Northwestern Virginians, who were delighted to learn for the first time, on coming into our lines, “that Western Virginia had gone back into the glorious old Union, and was now there a new State-they hoped forever!”
WEST VIRGINIA
This day it will be determined whether we are henceforth to be West Virginians. If the people residing this side of the Allegheny’s should prove so oblivious of their cherished interests, so blind to all the great blessings in store, as to vote against the amended Constitution, then the whole New State project will be abandoned. New State men will abandon this part of the country, and go where they can make their own laws and be—men.
But our destiny is already assured us. The people have decided for West Virginia. They are determined to vote for the New State. The cheering word comes to us from every direction, upon every breeze—“the people are all rallying for the New State—none so hardy as to vote against it.” We are about to realize what our forefathers long desired and anxiously prayed for—a separate State.
That portion of the voters “in the service” have already voted for the new Constitution. Probably not less than l0,000 votes have been cast for the amended Constitution by our soldiers, while all voting against it scarcely numbers a “baker’s dozen”.
Owing to the recent derangement in our mail facilities and the few papers that have survived the hard times, the people in the Southern and Western portions of the State, have not been able to gain much information in regard to our present election, yet as far as they are not prevented by the rebels, they will vote for the new State, and many are coming out of their rebel neighborhoods so as to vote—fully realizing how much depends upon present separation.
Never before have this people been called upon to decide so important a matter. Never in the future can a question of such vital interest, such solemn responsibilities, arise for your decision.
If you act wisely, and ratify your new Constitution, as we are sure you will, the day of its ratification—the 26th of March—will be celebrated through all future time, not unlike we celebrate the 4th of July.
The Fourth of July we commemorate because we then decided upon final separation from our mother country—the 26th of March will ever be celebrated as the day we finally struck for separation from our oppressive neighbors—East Virginians. For West Virginians this 26th of March, will be of greater interest if possible, than the 4th of July to our forefathers. Orations, parades, feasts, bon-fires, illuminations, &c. will ever perpetuate the memory of the day of our great deliverance—the 26th of March. We should rejoice that we have been permitted to be upon the stage of action when this righteous deed was enacted. Happy are you, to have lived in times so stirring, so eventful, so pregnant with good for all future generations. Because you have asserted your manhood, because you, when opportunity offered, severed the degrading bonds that bound you, because you once and forever swore to be freemen, your deeds will be remembered, your names cherished and revered through all coming time. Happy, thrice happy, the man that now claims the proud title not only of American citizen but a West Virginian.
We share the glory, common to all true Americans in siding to suppress this nefarious rebellion, but history will accord us, over and above all others, peculiar, additional, and immortal honor for thus securing our inalienable rights for impelling so irreversible separation, from our glorious, peaceable constitutional triumph over tyrannic power. The future historian will record the names and deeds of those, instrumental by vote or act, in insuring this great victory over wrong and oppression, and an appreciative and grateful posterity, will ever cherish and perpetuate their memories.
If such be the glory, the imperishable honor, exalting all those assisting in our deliverance, what shame and ignominy must ever attach to those misguided few, who either by voting against or refusing to vote, done all possible, to keep us enslaved. Will not their names be more odious, their acts more execrated by coming generations, than the Tories and cow boys of the Revolution? We pitty them, but refuse to share the disgrace of their folly.
Let all, who would be held, by succeeding generations, in grateful remembrance—vote for the New State. Let those willing to brave the indignant execrations of the present, and the loathing and the maledictions of the future, either refuse to vote, or vote against the New State.
“Lives there a man with soul so dead,
As never to himself hath said
My own-my native land.”
GUERILLAS.—We learn by a private letter from B. L. Stephenson, Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, from Clay county, that the rebels made a raid into that county, and commenced their usual business of stealing, taking all the horses, bacon, meal, flour, salt, yarn, cloth, &c. and then started on their return to “Dixie,” but unfortunately for them the Union men in the neighborhood rallied with their guns determined to give them battle, and followed them seven miles to a place called Buffalo Gap, where they suddenly came upon the thieves and without a moments halt, pitched into them, killing one on the ground and wounding one, recaptured all the horses and property they had stolen, and completely routed them, scattering, them in all directions. The name the guerrilla killed is Adkins.
The Superintendant of the 500 contrabands who recently arrived at St. Louis, in a published card shows that they are far from being a burden on the community. He gives the following account of their disposal within a week of their arrival: “I had five hundred contrabands in charge at first, and up to yesterday morning I had received applications for 2,300 and about l,800 of these calls came from St. Louis and the State of Missouri. Nearly 200 persons have been called for by citizens from Illinois of various political opinions, who said they needed hands to labor, and must have them. These have obtained passes to cross the river, and in families are now toiling on free soil. Over one hundred have gone to Iowa, and others will doubtless follow those who have gone before. Two hundred and fifty more from Helena arrived on the Emma, Monday in charge of a Federal officer, l90 of whom were forwarded on boats to Kansas.
Portsmouth Gazette.
This is the title of a newspaper just started at Portsmouth, Ohio, by Daniel D. W. Davis & Co. Their salutatory has the ring of the true metal—unconditional for the Union. We wish it all the success imaginable, politically and pecuniarily.
The Prospect for the New State in Harrison.
The following is from a private letter written by one of the substantial men of Harrison County:
The prospects of the new State are looming up brilliantly in Old Harrison-We are steadily gaining ground and are sure to roll up a large majority for a final separation from the dead carcass of the Old Dominion. The traitor John Judas Davis was nailed to the counter last Monday as spuriously by an outburst of condemnation from an indignant and justly, incensed people who have been deceived by lies, deceptions, and hypocritical professions and sold out upon an average every two years, by a set of damnable bogus traitor representatives. The same condemnation awaits John S. Carlile. Let him look it full in the face.
We learn that butternut Clemons is coming out here to stump this section against the new State. Tell him not to risk it; that the head of every hollow contains a ghost of O. Jennings and behold a worse than O. Jennings will meet him upon every highway.
We may remark that this gentleman had been a lifelong friend and supporter of Mr. Carlile till betrayed by him—[Wheeling Intel.]
The rebel leaders in Virginia are urging their Confederate Congress to prohibit the planting of tobaco or anything else save corn for the army, under the heaviest penalties. How is it about that ridiculous paper blockade?
The Feeling in the Army
It is always pleasant to hear from the brave fellows in the field, their patriotic utterances at all times having the power to remind us that however disloyalty may vaunt itself, so long as the army appreciates the demands of the occasion, the country and all its glorious institutions may be considered safe. One of the Baltimore boys, writing home from Vicksburg says:
“I see, as yet, no lack of enthusiasm which was manifested—I mean among the troops—at the breaking out of the war. I would hail with joy the day that we can return to peaceful avocations with honor. But rather than we shall behold a peace such as some of our Northern friends would dictate, I would be a soldier during life; for the moment that we accept terms of peace other than the laying down of arms of all those in rebellion, we lose our nationality and become the laughing stock for the powers of Europe. But fat croaker croak. We enlisted to put down this rebellion and, with the help of God, we are going to do it. We are here in front of a city, where we met once with a severe repulse, where hundreds of our comrades are already buried, and those are our feelings; and we despise those who claim to be soldiers friends, and who are still trying by every possible means to bring disgrace upon our country by clinging to traitors in arms.”
This is the sterling devotion to the cause of the country which is going to save it, and there will be a terrible reckoning for the vile demagogues at home when these brave men return.
From the Middlebourne Plain Dealer.
New State in Tyler.
Meetings are being held throughout the county for the purpose of arousing the people to a sense of their duty, and instructing them in regard to the course they should pursue in the approaching election for the New State. W. I. Boreman, Z. Warner, S. E. Steel, and others are hard at work using their utmost exertions at every meeting where it is convenient for them to be present, in behalf of the New State. During the past week Mr. Boreman has addressed meetings at Walnut Fork and Moore’s school house, on Indian Creek; a Centreville, Three Fork, and several other places, at all of which places there seemed to be a very enthusiastic New State feeling. There was quite a respectable turn out at each of the above places, considering the short notice given of the meetings. The assembly at Centreville was exceedingly large. We are not present ourself, but we learn that the very best feeling prevails in that neighborhood for the New State. Her friends are not idle, but on the contrary, they are, all over the country, putting forth a huge effort in her behalf; nor will it be in vain, for the indications thus far received justify us in saying that they will reap a bountiful reward on the 26th. Already good effects are visible. We learn that at Centreville on the 3rd inst. There was quite a number of convertions. Men who have hitherto been halting between two opinions were influenced by the well timed remarks of Mr. Boreman to forsake the error of their ways, and turn in with the current that will speedily carry them whether they will or not—into a new existence, under a new and better Government. Our informant left Centreville, as he left every other place at which he has attended meetings, with the firm conviction that the New State movement is decidedly a one sided affair in this county, and that old Tyler will render a good account of herself on the day of election.
POINT PLEASANT MARKET
Point Pleasant, March 25
Flour—From $6.00@6.50
Wheat—Wheat ranges from 95c@$l.00 for prime
Corn—We quote at 70@75c. Meal 80c per bushel.
Potatoes--$l.00@1.25 per bushel
Apples—From 75 to 80 c per bushel, pr bbl. $2.00@$2.50
Eggs—Butter. Eggs 12c per dozen, Butter 20 c per pound.
CINCINNATI MARKET
Cincinnati, March 23.
FLOUR—Per barrel $5.80@5.80 for Superfine.
GRAIN—Wheat $l.25@l.27 for red and $l.30@l.35 for white
CORN—We quote at 46 c. in bulk
GROCERIES—Coffee, Rio 29@3l, Sugar l0 l/4@llc, Molasses 50@52c.
HOGS—Quoted at $4.50@4.60
HAY—The market rules heavy at $l4@l5 per ton for prime Timothy.
POTATOES—The receipts continue liberal at 60@65c for prime Neshannocks.
FOR THE FARMER
The C lender tells us that this Spring and though the weather may be less mild than during nearly all of last January, yet the lengthening days, here and there the swelling buds of the early trees and the appearance of the Liverleaf in places where the snow has gone, remind the farmer that his time of comparative leisure is nearly over, and he begins to be impatient to begin his season’s work. This month of transition from Winter, one which witnesses the coates of the seasons for the mastery, is the occasion of many a skirmish between the rear guard of the retreating frost King and the videttes of Spring. Sometimes the advance is slow, delayed by late snows and lingering cold, that the active farmer chafes at the tardy progress, and is half inclined to fear; that seed time may not come according to the promise. An unusually mild Winter throughout the country has saved a great amount of fodder, yet the daily decreasing store is now looked at with
for it will yet be a long time before the pastures yield food for the beasts, and during many weeks to come the provisions already incurred must be the sole dependence—The crude and couplet, “On February fourteenth day; half your corn and half your hay” is out for a true statement.
Notwithstanding the teachings of the Journals and the example of the thrifty farmers the agriculture of our county is characterized by a great deal of careless waste. Many farmers have not learned that saving is as important as producing. In almost every neighborhood we find examples of wasteful feeding, where the cattle trample under foot particularly as much as they eat. There are whole districts where almost every other man uses the public highway for a barnyard. If the contents of the hay mow and corn crib have so far diminished to suggest a lack of feed to take suitable safety through the manner of feeding should be looked into to see if it be done in the most saving way. In good feeding there should be just as much put before the animal as it will eat up, and no more. A correspondent wrote us that it is a sin to throw fodder to the cattle in the barnyard so that they can tramp on it, when feeding boxes like those described on page l2 of the Agriculturist for 1862 can be so cheaply made. It is a pleasure to see cattle eat out of them, and nothing is wasted.
But with all our individual faults, agriculture, as a whole, has made a great progress in the manner of cultivating the main crops and economy in using them, and also in the introduction of a diversity of products. The war has brought changes even in the domestic economy of the smallest farms and individuals as well as the nation are impelled to develop their resources. Besides the staples of wheat, corn, etc., sorghum, flax, cotton, and tobacco are either being successfully cultivated as regular crops or are the products of important experiments. Before as work of the season begins this is time to consider whether any change shall be made in the of crops. The readers of the Agriculturist will bear us winters that we have never advised them to go into any new project. We hold that there is a wise medium between that old fogyism which rejects everything and that which adopts everything, and both for the same reason—because it is new. In a country so extended as ours, and with such a diversity of soil and climate, the experience of one healthy will not answer as an infallible guide for the whole, hence we are cautious in recommending the general adoption of new things until they have been tried in widely different situations.
With regard to sorghum we consider that it has ceased to be an experiment crop of last year, enormous as it was will probably be increased during the present year by millions of gallons. The question is a large portion of the country is not, will it succeed? Will it pay on the small scale? Good and cheap but this farmer does.
