Pruntytown, Taylor Co., Va., April 23d, 1861.
Yesterday was the regular term of the County Court for Taylor county.
At an early hour the people of Grafton, Fetterman, Webster, Claysville, Flemington, and Rogue's Harbor, (all railroad towns in this county,) and a number of farmers, began to arrive.--The usual business of granting licenses to sell "the ardent" was attended to before dinner.--After dinner the people re-assembled at the Court-House to consult about our National troubles, when a number of interesting speeches were delivered.
The occasion was the most agreeable and harmonious one I have ever seen in any political gathering in Western Virginia, (and I have been a close observer of political movements in this section of the State since 1830.) I feel proud of my native section of the Old Dominion, while I record the fact that she will roll up a majority for the ratification of the Secession Ordinance at the general election.--Gentlemen, ‘"I am not mad, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness,"’ when I Assure your thousands of Southern readers, that Western Virginia will be true to the honor, the glory, the renown, and the independence of our noble old State.
The change going on is beyond anything the most sanguine could have hoped for. Among those who formerly opposed secession may now be found hundreds who will vote for the ratification of the Ordinance — some from one crowed motive and some from other motives; but all because they are Virginians, either by birth or by choice, and can not find it in their hearts to forsake their venerable mother, in this hour of her trial.
I have been a close observer and an attentive listener of this day's proceedings, and give it as my deliberate opinion that, apart from petty jealousies, eight out of every ten of our people would vote the ratification ticket.
In every county in this (Wheeling) Congressional District, and in many of the counties of the adjoining (Parkersburg) District, a glorious change is going on.
The speakers, to-day, were Col. James K. Smith, our delegate to the Legislature; Jno. S. Burdett, Esq., our delegate to the State Convention; C. W. Newlon, Esq., our State Senator, and James Neeson, Esq., the Senator from the Marion District. Mr. Neeson's speech was a most powerful and argumentative appeal to the people to repel the insults, injustice and outrages of an abolitionized Government, by voting for the ratification of the Ordinance.
Mr. Smith and Mr. Newlon both made excellent speeches on the same side, urging the people to act a noble part.
Mr. Burdett spoke in a subdued tone, neither sustaining nor opposing the Ordinance.
He most earnestly, however, joined the other speakers in recommending peace, unanimity, and harmony of action among the people.
He reminded the people that they had extorted a pledge from him that he would not, under any circumstances, vote for secession.
He had kept his promise, and thus discharged his duty to those who elected him.
The best order and the most good feeling I ever witnessed on such occasions prevailed throughout the meeting.
An incident of an unpleasant character, and which liked to have proved serious, occurred just before the speaking commenced.
In a street quarrel a pistol was fired with intent to kill, but the murderous arm was thrown up by a bystander an instant before the discharge, and no harm was done.
This was the first pistol ever fired at a fellow- mortal in our village, so far as I remember.
Hon. Z. Kidwell received the nomination to Congress from this district at the recent District Convention at Fairmont, by the States-Rights party.
His competitor is Hon. W. G. Brown.
Kidwell will beat him handsomely, if the Congressional election comes off, though it is believed that election will, and ought to be postponed for the present. More Anon.
