NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
November/December 1861
From The Missouri Democrat, Tuesday, December 3, 1861.
THE LATEST NEWS.
…
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF KANAWHA.
A Move for Freedom in the New State of Kanawha.
WHEELING, VA., Dec. 2.—In the Convention Mr. Hagen, of Rome, offered the following:
WHEREAS, negro slavery is the origin and foundation of our national troubles, and the cause of the terrible rebellion in our midst, that is seeking to overthrow our government; and whereas, slavery is incompatible with the word of God, and detrimental to the interests of a free people, as well as among the slaves themselves, therefore it is
Resolved, That the Convention inquire into the expediency of making the proposed new State free, and that provision to be inserted for the gradual emancipation of all slaves within the proposed boundaries of the new State; to be submitted to the people of the same for their approval or rejection.
Referred to the Committee on Fundamental and General Provisions.
Mr. Brown, of Kanawha, offered the following:
Resolved, That the State of Kanawha ought to assume a just and equitable portion of the State debt of Virginia, and in doing so, discriminate between friend and foe; paying first the bonds held by her own loyal citizens; next those held by loyal citizens not residents in the State of Kanawha, and of the excess a pro rata share.
Mr. Caldwell, of Marshall, gave notice that he should ask a provision to be inserted in the Constitution to the effect, that when the Constitution is submitted to the people, they shall determine whether the name shall be Western Virginia or Kanawha.
