The New State Meeting Last Night.
February 19, 1863
In accordance with the notice which appeared yesterday morning a meeting of the friends of the New State was held last night in the Convention Hall at the Custom House.
Numerous speeches were made, and the best feeling prevailed. Lt. Governor Polsley was called to the chair. The meeting was addressed by Gen. Wheat, Auditor Crane, P. G. Van Winkle, Esq., Col. Ben. Smith and Judge Brown of Kanawha and Jas. S. Wheat, Esq., of Morgan.
Gen. Wheat gave expression to the opinion that Ohio county would give a far more decided majority when it comes to vote on the adoption of the amended Constitution than was given at the late election for delegate.
Col Smith said in reply to an interrogatory of Mr. Pomeroy that they would carry the whole Kanawha valley for the new State. Kanawha county alone would give a majority for the amended Constitution of 1,800 or 2,000.
The meeting was called for the purpose we learn of considering the propriety of recommending to the various counties composing the new State, the holding of a general Convention to nominate candidates for State officers at the coming election under the new State Constitution, but inasmuch as the Convention had not yet acted on the ordinance relating to that election, it was not deemed advisable to take action, and the meeting adjourned over till tonight.
We may say in this connection, what we have not noticed before, that the Convention unanimously accepted the amendment to the Constitution, on Tuesday, and it was unanimously adopted as amended yesterday. There is the utmost unanimity and good feeling in the Convention, and we hope it will extend itself to every nook and corner of the new State.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: February 1863