The Wheeling Daily Register

The Senatorial Question.

Barracksville, Marion Co., W. Va.,
January 24, 1869.

Editors of the Register:

The Republicans of different sections of the State seem to be determined to kill off Governor Boreman, using for this purpose any number of persons as candidates for Senatorial honors, whose reputation is narrowed down, in most cases, by county or neighborhood lines.

This fact will justify Marion in urging a local reason for his election. During the last campaign in this county, a reign of terror was inaugurated by the lawless partisans of the Radical leaders, together with the local organization of the G. A. R. Particularly was this the case at Rivesville, where this organization, under the leadership of one Petty - whose name indicates his full height, breadth, depth and general dimensions, and whose followers were uniformed(?) in red calico suits, and who drilled regularly with arms - did not hesitate to boast that it would be dangerous for any Democrat or Conservative to go to the polls on election day. Such threats were so often made here that some of the people living in the immediate vicinity of Rivesville ordered about twenty old worn out muskets to be sent to their address, which were delivered in due time at Barracksville, which being reported at Rivesville to the red coats, had the effect, as desired, to frighten them into more orderly conduct. Finding that the report of the arrival of these arms had such a satisfactory effect they were not moved from the depot, but left subject to the orders of the shippers in New York. But before they were returned, the Post at Fairmont came to the relief of capitulated Rivesville, and sallying out one dark and stormy night, with a detachment of U. S. troops, "as still as death; creeping along under the hedges," Barracksville was invaded, the express agent coerced, and said arms subjugated and brought to Fairmont. Alas for the G.A. R. "the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglee," a report started by some malicious Copperhead, that two boxes of arms had been already distributed - thus escaping capture - still held them in check, and the Rivesvillians voted in peace. At Mannington, also, the spirit of intolerance among the Radicals was manifested by throwing stones through the windows of the house of a harmless old man and quiet citizen, threats of violence and other hostile demonstrations, while at Logansport party waivans and shot a man returning from Conservative meeting at Mannington. This state of affairs, coming to the knowledge of Governor Boreman, he at once went to Washington and forwarded a company of troops to our county, the character of which, together with the known fact that all but four of the men of said company were good Democrats, repressed all open manifestations of violence and secured a comparatively quiet election.

His promptness in this matter together with the fact that he is known to be in sympathy with the Southern Methodist Church - of which denomination there are a good many in Marion - induces our people to wish Governor Boreman success in his laudable undertaking: that of being elected U. S. Senator.

The voice of Marion county Conservatives is for Governor B. for that position in preference to any and all other Republicans, and this sentiment, we hope and believe, is reflected throughout the State.

MARION.