Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1851-01-04
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
RICHMOND, DEC. Is, 1850.

RICHMOND. DEC. Is, 1850.
TO the General Assembly ofthc State Of Virginia:
Gentlemen: herewith transmit you Pream
be and Resolutions passed by the Convention Of
Indiana, assembled to revise the Constitution of
that State, and the Report and Resolutions Of
like Convention Of Maryland. The spri, in which
they are conceived must be regarded as favora-
BILE omen, and they excite The hope that the feel.
Jugs of bitterness and discussion which pcrvade
the confederac,, may yet pass harmessly away
There are, indeed. portentous manifestations Of
deep discomfort at the South and these have
been heightened and nnamed by the course re-
Gently pursued in Vermont. The Legislature Of
ihas Ssa.o .as visisally, by statute, annuleJ tho
law Of Congress for the recaplure of fugitive
slaves, which alone induced the Southern States
To acquiesce in the late Compromise measures.
Vermont has TINS inflicted upon the whole South
At once an injury and an insult. TO neither,
can we with honor or sell.respect submit.
There must be distinct, immediate and final
settlement Of the question Of slavery between the
slave.hoding and the non>saveholdng Siates.--
II the present agitation Ia continued. the Union
will inevitably DO destroyed. If this element Of
aiscord be removed, no cause Of ieud remains to
leopardize the permanence Of our confederate
No honorable means should be LETT unfried to
restore and perpetuate tranquility. For this we
should exhaust every measure OF Cancellation and
iorhearance. We can scarcely pay too much
Tor the restoration Of that fraternal harmony,
which is the life-blood Of our federa,e organiza
ton, and which alone caH Ior any length Of time
preserve the Uni,n. In discharge of the duty
which the South owes to herself aud her citizens,
she must maintain. a, all hazards and a, any cost.
her homer her equality, her independence, aud
her essential rights. In proof Of her devotion to
the Union, she must DO prepared to sacrifice all
else to her sense ofpatriosm.
The late action Of Vermont demands an n>
slant settlement of the Issue which has 80 long
distracted the country. The recent action OF In,
diana seems TO Indicate that the time is proptious
for its amicabe decision. For the restoration Of
complete and eAtciual harmony, would sugges,
a measure, 10 which the patriots Of oil actions,
and all who reverence and are willing to abide
by the Constitution. may co operate.
| would recommend he adoption ty the Log.
la'ure, OF resonians inviting all The States the
Union TO unite in sending delegates TO represent
the whole people in a General Convention, which
ought to assemble at an early period--not later
than May-at Baltimore or some other converts
ent central point, iof the purpose Of bringing to
an end all sectional controversies relative to
slavery. Tosecure that end, the principles which
should govern the action Of the Convention ought
10 be announced in the resolutions by which tis
called. All should be invited to unite in this
movement who are in tavor OF the Union, aud
who, 10 attain this result, are in favor OF the Flu.
gitve Slave Bill, honestly and cordially enforced
who are opposed TO its repeal or essential mod
fcaton, and who are adverse to any further az,
taiion olhe slavery question, either in Congress
or in The States. With this the South will be
conteni--less than this can only evehtuate in the
dissolution OF the Union. The action of such a
convention, if successful and fdlly sustained BY
the nom slayehoding States would satisfy and
quiet the Soutb-if unsuccessful, il would prove
that the friends of order and the Union are impo
tent TO control the fanatical passions which are
now urging on speedy dissolution. II is meas.
IRE which addresses itself to no particular party
and refers 10 no political organization, bu, ask,
the cord al support OF every true patriot in all
sections of our widely extended Republic. and
which alone seems adequate 10 redress or avert
the terrible evils under which the contry now la.
bors, or Of which il is apprehensive
To render this measure effecIual, and To re,
leve The deliberations Of the Convention from
the trammels by which il might otherwise be
embarrassed, | would farther recommend ,ha,
such resolutions be accompanied with the SINCERE
and earnest appeal OF the State OF Virginia, speak
through her Legislature 10 her sister States o
the South, cnireating them TO postpone any e1
trrme action in relation 10 present difficulties un
i'll the result OF the deliberations oil such con