Then the majority of the members looked forward to the formation of a new State. But how?

23. Dissentions Over Methods.-The meeting soon split into two factions on this question. John S. Carlile boldly proclaimed that the time for forming a new State was at hand. He introduced a resolution with the object of taking measures to form a new State at once. Delegations marched with banners displayed, on which was inscribed, "New Virginia, Now or Never.” Carlile was a strong leader, and he was still smarting under his experiences in Richmond. "He raised his deep and resonant voice to the highest pitch of revolutionary fervor. He outlined his plan in brief: adopt a constitution at once; form a government for the counties represented; fill the offices with temporary appointments. The plan was popular; it was dangerous to oppose it; fervor was carried to such a pitch that opposition to the plan was characterized as disloyalty. The plan was revolution pure and simple, without justification at the time. There was a minority of cool heads that recognized the irreparable injury that would ensue to the cause of the new State by the adoption of a course so revolutionary. It would doubtless defeat the object all had in view. The equable temperament of Willey fitted him for the leadership of the conservatives. He emphasized the distinction between "spasmodic disruption" and authorized separation. In the formation of a new State the provisions of the Federal Constitution must be observed. Up to this time the acts of Virginia were all conditioned upon the casting of a majority vote in favor of the Ordinance of Secession, and any step looking to the division of the State, or a reorganization of the government of Virginia before the election (May 23) would be premature. The radicals turned upon Willey. They said he had always been inactive and his Unionism was, doubtful. Two days were consumed in fierce and bitter debates; but in the face of the approaching crisis the voice of reason began to make itself heard, and better feeling prevailed. It became

apparent that without harmony nothing could be accomplished; and the spirit of passion grew calmer.

24. Final Concert of Action.-Campbell Tarr of Brooke County, Chairman of the Committee on State and Federal Relations, brought in a report, which was a skilful blending of all opinions. It set forth that the Ordinance of Secession was void; that the schedule to it prohibiting certain elections was usurpation; that the alliance entered into with the commissioners of the Confederate States was unconstitutional; that the acts of executive officers of the State, under that alliance, was subversive of the liberties of the people; that it be urged upon all citizens to vote against the Ordinance of Secession; that they would maintain and defend the Constitution of the United States; that if the Ordinance of Secession should be ratified by the people, the counties there represented, and all others disposed to cooperate, be recommended to meet on the eleventh of the same month. The report was adopted with but two dissenting votes. A central committee

of five, with Carlile as chairman, was appointed to carry out the objects of the Convention and to assemble the body at any time it might think necessary. Good feeling was restored; elequent speeches were made; a prayer was offered; a blessing was invoked; the Star Spangled Banner was sung by a thousand voice, three cheers were given for the Union, and in a fever-heat of enthusiasm the Covention adjourned to await the action of the voters of the whole State at the polls on May 23. It was a fearless earnest body of patriots. Every shade of former political opinion and associations was there represented; but it excited no inquiry or comment. The distinction between Democrats and Whigs and Republicans were forgotten.

25. The Second Wheeling Convention.-May 23, 1861, was the regular biennial election in Virginia, at which, among other officers, members or the Legislature were to be chosen, and

the Ordinance of Secession was to be voted on. The first Wheeling Convention had resolved that the members of the Legislature so elected should be entitled to seats in the next convention, if called. The Ordinance was ratified, if a majority of votes in the State could ratify it. The counties so disposed thereupon proceeded on June 4 to elect their delegates to the new Convention. This body met on June 11 at Washington Hall in Wheeling, "to devise such measures as the safety and welfare of the people they represented should demand.” Arthur I. Boreman of Wood, was unanimously chosen President, and G. L. Cranmer of Ohio, Secretary. "The Committee on Credentials reported delegates from thirty-one counties.. This number was subsequently augmented to thirty-five counties, producing an aggregate of seventy-seven members."* Four counties in what is now Virginia were represented, namely, Accomac and Northampton on the Eastern Shore, and Fairfax and Alexandria on the Potomac near Washington; but the delegate from Loudoun was not received, because of the insufficiency of his credentials.

26. A Declaration of the People of Virginia. The representatives of the people assembled in this Convention regarded the Act of the General Assemby of Virginia, calling the Convention which assembled in Richmond on February 13, 1861, as invalid, because the Legislature did not possess the authority to call any convention without first having received authority from the people to do so. The Ordinance of Secession was therefore without authority, null, and void. They maintained that upon usurpation, abandonment, or abdication of the functions of government in a republic, by the elected officials, the temporary authority delegated to them reverts to the people, and that therefore it was the duty of the people, assembled in Convention by their delegates, to erect a government. But before proceeding to carry out this duty, on June

* J. M. Hagans, Sketch of the Erection and Formation of the State of West Virginia, prefixed to W. Va. Reports, V. I., by order of the Court.

13 they adopted "A Declaration of the People of Virginia, reviewing the events leading up to the Convention and setting forth the reasons which impelled them to this action, and finally declared the imperative demand resting upon them for the reorganization of the government of the Commonwealth, the nullification of all acts of the Richmond Convention and all acts of the Executive under it, and the vacation of all offices held by those who adhered to the Richmond Convention, whether legislative, executive, or judicial. This declaration received the unanimous vote of the Convention.

27. The Reorganized Government of Virginia. Two days later "An Ordinance for the Reorganization of the State Government' was passed. On June 20 the Convention proceeded with the work of reorganization by electing and qualifying officers to fill the vacant places until such time as their successors were duly elected and qualified. Francis H. Pierpont of Marion became Governor; Daniel Polsley of Mason Lieutenant Governor; James S. Wheat of Ohio, Attorney General; and Peter G. Van Winkle of Wood, Daniel Lamb of Ohio, William Lazier of Monongalia, William A. Harrison of Harrison, and James W. Paxton of Ohio, members of the Governor's Council. The ordinance of reorganization required the Legislature to meet on the first day of July, 1861. It was composed of the Delegates and Senators chosen at the regular election on May 23, the Senators then holding seats under the election held two years before, and the members elected to fill vacancies under existing law. The Legislature was required to elect an Auditor, a Treasurer, and a Secretary to the Commonwealth. Having done so much the Convention paused and adjourned until the sixth day of August following.

28. The Virginia Legislature in Session.-The Legislature assembled and took up the work of reorganization. Lucien A. Hagans of Preston was elected Secretary of the Commonwealth; Samuel Crane of Randolph, Auditor; and Campbell Tarr of Brooke, Treasurer. On July 9 John S. Carlile of Har