West Virginia: Born Of Rebellion

By Chris Carez and Betsy Curry
West Virginia University at Parkersburg is playing host to BORN OF REBELLION: West Virginia Statehood exhibit. Professor Bob Cordell acquired the exhibit, it and will remain until the end of January.

The traveling exhibit covers the controversial issue of whether West Virginia should be a state. The issue is whether Virginia gave its consent, which the US Constitution requires before it allows the division of a state. There have been many debates on this issue, including a recent C-Span debate.

Controversy arose between Western and Eastern Virginia for many reasons. Plantation life was the most talked about debate. Western land favored small-scale farming and many opposed slavery or were uninterested in it. The political issue came about as population grew in the west. Western Virginians felt they were provided unequal representation in the Virginia Legislature.

The debatable issues brought about two state constitutional conventions, yet both were unsuccessful. A Wheeling newspaper was quoted as stating western counties should break away from Virginia, “peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must!”

The Civil War brought more tension within the state of Virginia. The Western Virginian’s opted to remain loyal to the north as the Eastern Virginians joined the Southern states in 1861. Westerners came together to establish a Reorganized Government of Virginia with Wheeling residing as the capitol. The Union army gained control of present day West Virginia early in the war. Early claim on the land gave westerners the initiative to secede from the state. With the east joining with Southern States, statehood sentiment grew rapidly. In 1861, Western Virginians voted for separation from Virginia.

West Virginia was established as a state in June 20, 1863. In 1861, the Wheeling Convention voted to include 44 northern and western counties. Seven eastern counties were given the chance to vote. All but Frederick County, Virginia voted to become part of West Virginia.

The display shows a large quantity of information regarding West Virginia and its admittance to the Union, including what influence President Abraham Lincoln had in West Virginia becoming a state.

Viewers have the opportunity to vote on the constitutionality of the state. The exhibit is located on the first floor next to the student lounge.