In the following we sometimes, indifferently use the words "rebel," "insurgent" and "confederate," "federal," "union men," "northern men" &c. These different epithets are used only to avoid disagreeable repetitions of the same words. There is no offense intended, and it is hoped that none will be taken. George Washington was a rebel and he was proud to be considered one. We have noticed lately that some people are sensitive on this subject, and hence our explanation. Personally, we owe too little to either party to take sides very decidedly. When, on the election of Mr. Lincoln, the Gulf states seceded and the Legislature of Virginia called a convention of the people to consider what course was best to be pursued under the circumstances, Mr. A. M. Barbour, superintendent of the Harper's Ferry armory, and Mr. Logan Osborne, both now dead, were elected to the convention to represent the union sentiment of the county of Jefferson over Andrew Hunter and William Lucas, eminent lawyers, both of whom, also, are now deceased, who were nominated on the secession ticket. While in Richmond, however, attending the convention, Mr. Barbour is said to have been drawn into the vortex of rebellion through the powerful influences brought to bear by the secessionists on the members of that body. Mr. Barbour's family is one of the oldest and most aristocratic in Virginia, and many of his relatives had seats in the convention and were ultra-southern in their views. These, no doubt, had great influence over him, and, anyway he was finally induced to vote for a separation of his native state from the union. Indeed, many at Harper's Ferry who voted for him at the election, did so with strong misgivings respecting his sincerity, but, as there was no better choice under the circumstances, they gave him their support. Some who enjoyed his confidence said that he afterwards bitterly regretted his course, and the writer is convinced that Mr. Barbour acted from sheer compulsion. The author of these pages was then a young man--poor and without weight in the community, but Mr. Barbour appeared to have some confidence in his judgment, for he sought an interview with him and asked him his advice as to the proper course to pursue in the convention. The author told him that he had a fine chance to immortalize himself by holding out for the Union of the States; that he was of a prominent southern family and that, if he proved faithful, his loyalty under the circumstances would give him such a national reputation as he could not hope for from the opposite course. They parted to meet but once again, and that for only a minute. After the fatal vote of the convention, Mr. Barbour called on business at the place where the author was employed and said just three words to him--"You were right." These words told the tale of compulsion or, perhaps, of contrition. The ordinance of secession was passed by the Virginia convention on the 17th of April, 1861, and, on the following day Mr.