Published: June 19, 2008 11:44 pm         

The Great Seal of West Virginia explained

The Great Seal of the State of West Virginia, which exhibits the motto ’Montani Semper Liberi’ below a farmer and a coal miner, is easily one of the most recognized symbols of the Mountain State.

But did you know the state seal also has a reverse side?

About 145 years ago, on Sept. 23, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War and just three months after separating from Virginia, the state’s first Legislature passed a joint resolution that adopted the state seal into the Constitution of West Virginia.

A Doddridge County artist, Joseph H. Diss Debar, was hand-picked by the Legislature to create the seal and explain all of its meanings.

’The disc of the Great Seal is to be two and one-half inches in diameter; the obverse (front) to bear the legend ’The State of West Virginia,’ the constitutional designations of our Republic, which is the motto, ’Montani Semper Liberi ’ Mountaineers are always free’ is to be inserted in the circumference,’ the 1863 Legislative report said.

’In the center a rock of ivy, emblematic of stability and continuance, and on the face of the rock the inscription, ’June 20, 1863,’ the date of our foundation, as if graven with a pen of iron in the rock forever.’

According to state documents, the farmer is clothed in traditional hunting garb and his right arm is resting on a plow handle and his left arm is holding a woodman’s ax. At the right of the farmer is a sheaf of wheat and a cornstalk.

’ ... indicating that while our territory is partly cultivated, it is still in the process of being cleared of the original forest,’ the 1863 report said.

Opposite the farmer, a miner carries a pick ax and has barrels and lumps of minerals at his feet. An anvil and sledgehammer are seen, ’indicating the principal pursuits and resources of the state.’

Below the two figures are two crossed rifles ’as if just laid down by the latter and ready to be resumed at a moment’s notice.’

’ ... crossed and surmounted at the place of contact by the Phrygian cap, or cap of liberty, indicating that our freedom and liberty were won and will be maintained by the force of arms,’ the report said.



The keeper of the seal



’One of the original and ongoing duties of the secretary of state is to be the keeper of the Great Seal and that it is affixed to all the pertinent documents that come through this office, such as any proclamations done by the governor,’ Secretary of State Betty Ireland said. ’By law, the state seal is what certifies the document for historical papers and it requires my signature.’

Ireland said one of the original presses for the great seal remains in her office and she allows school children to stamp it onto a piece of paper when visiting.

’In the old days, a press was used, but now we just use a gold sticker,’ Ireland said.



Liberates E. Fidelitate ’ the governor’s seal



The reverse of the Great Seal is surrounded by a wreath made of laurel and oak leaves -- symbolizing valor and strength -- and is the ’Governor’s Official Seal.’

A log farmhouse, wooded mountain and a cultivated portion of a slope are also represented, along with a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad train trestle from that time period located in Preston County. The trestle still stands.

’ ... one of the great engineering triumphs of the age, with a train of cars about to pass over it,’ the 1863 report said.

The state’s salt and petroleum industries at the time are represented by a derrick and a shed located near a factory that has smoke billowing out its chimney.

A meadow with cattle and sheep can also be seen along with the sun emerging from clouds. Above the sun rays, the motto ’Libertas E. Fidelitate’ -- liberty (freedom) from or because of loyalty -- is clearly printed, ’ ... indicating that the former obstacles to our prosperity are now disappearing ... and that our liberty and independence are the result of faithfulness to the Declaration and the National Constitution,’ the report said.

’We can never lose sight of our roots from 1863,’ Ireland said. ’All of those ideas that our founders had are preserved on the state seal and they are the same we continue to live by today.’

-- E-mail: cgiggenbach@register-herald.com