The southern press., 1851-04-01
~ The following is from the Chnrlesto


Mtrcury-and it is to the point. 1t is capital
VIRGINIA AND SOUTH CARoLINA-In another
place will be found, copied from the Richmond
Enquirer, series of resolutions, elaborately
studied out by a special committee of thirteen
worthless, and adopted almost unanimously by
the house of delegates, on Tuesday last The
Senate have not acted upon them, but we Judge
from the vote Of the House that they must pass
and that they are consequently to be considered
"as the voice of Virginia. what voice it
is!-what faint-hearted whine, to replace the
trumpet note that used to speak from the lips
Of the great commonwealth
We have observed for some time past. in the
Richmond papers, and the Washington Union,
the symptoms and preparations of this appeal of
Virginia to South Carolina, against State action
Their articles on this subject have been very
much commended by Northern presses and no
doubt deserved all the praise they have received
from that quarter.
Part of the design, as indicated by these news
papers, is that Virginia should depute one or
more sufficient men" 10 come boldly TO South
Carolina, and use their most strenuous industry
to prevent her from running off the track. They
iortify this suggestion by former instance
When South Carolina, they say, was on the
verge OF collision with the general government
in 1882, Virginia interposed with her friendly
advice and good Offices, and sent one of her dis.
tingushed citizens to South Carolina as a
peace maker. The result was that South Caro-
lima was delivered out Of the lions jaws, and the
Union was saved! Such is the account which
these veracious and interesting chronicers give
OF the settlement of the notification struggle
We remember very well the mission of Watkins
Leigh, and that he was kindly received, and that
the purpose Of his visit was considered rs re-
spectacle as bis personal character was estimable
We have always understood that his represen-
tations were listened to with entire courtesy
but we never before heard it hinted that his
mission had any more weight in the settlement
Of the controversy, than the mission Of Mr.
Hugh 8. Legare 10 Belgium, which took place
about the same time. This action Of Virginia
was taken as proof of respectful sympathy on
the part of sister State, and as such was re-
sponded to with honcst cordiaty. But mas
much ns neither. the ambassado nor the State
thai commissioned him. professed to have any
power to treat on the questions involved, and
inasmuch as South Carolina passed the ord-
nance of notification and Congress met it by
the compromise Of '33, because they did not
dare to meet it by armies and navies,-it is
reeaiy most uraccountabIe pretension this, that
Virginia settled that controversy by sending Mr..
Watkins Leigh to South Carolina, with bundle
Of advice, not ssrnp of which was ever used.
But We desire net to undcrvnue the atten-
tions Of Virginia--far from II. IF she shall de.
eide to send deputation Of her citizens to pre-
sent her remonstrnnces and her opinions 10 the
legislature or the convention Of this State, we
feel assured they will meet kindly welcome,
and a respectful audience. We think, indeed,
We are justified in promising, that the attention
will be reciprocated, and that some trustworthy
citizens of Carolina will be sent to Richmond,
provided with copies of former resolves and
solemn pledges Of Virginia, (Which this State
has done no more than copy and follow up,) and