The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-03
Virginia.

Virginia.
"All hopes of disunion," said Mr. WEB
srER, in his speech at Capon Springs, ''found
ed upon the probable course of Virginia. are
dissipated into thin air. An eminent gentle
man in the Nashville Convention calculated,
seOh that Virginia were with us If Virginia
would but take the lead in going out of the
Union, other Southern States would cheer
fully follow her Lead But who that looked
: for any consistency in Virginia expected to
see Virginia leading States out Of the Union,
since she took such great pains, under the
.counsels of her ablest and wisest men, to lead
them into itl Her late resolutions have put
decided negative upon that if and the
country cordially thanks her for It,"
No one conversant with the history of the
Revolution, and the formation of our CoNsTITU
TON, can fail to appreciate how deeply indebt
ed are the American people and the world TO
the citizens of Virginia. Without her coyop-
Grafton, without the aid of her patriot orators,
soldiers. and statesmen; without her lead in
the councils of the colonies; without her gallant
troops and her liberal supplies, resistance to
the mother country would have been hopeless
In that contest which called for the exercise
of so'inuch wisdom, eloquence, courage, and
patriotic effort, Virginia stood In the front rank
of the colonies, ever foremost in danger, ever
most buoyant in the days of darkness and
doubt, urging the reluctant and encouraging
the Respondent, till the independence of the
colonies was sealed by the victory of York
town.
But not with the war Of independence ended
our national trials and dangers Until then
the pressure and danger from without, and the
absolute necessity OF making common cause
against a common enemy, had united the States.
But these being removed, IT was found that the
Confederation was but a rope OF sand, utterly
inadequate to its intended purpose of making
us 'sone people, a strong, compact, united
nation Mr.. WEBSTER, III one of his late
speeches at the North, well advised the young
men of the nation who wished to become
acquainted with the political history OF the
country, to study closely and attentivey that
portion of it from the close of the Revolutionary
war to the formation of the Constitution, and
the Inauguration of the first President elected
under it. 1t is indeed full of instruction, but
we fear little understood at the present day.
So inefficient was the Confederation, that
there could hardly be said TO be National
Government; and the consequence was an utter
prostration of every department of industry
and business. Credit, both public and private,
was nearly annihilated; commerce was at the
lowest ebb; and such was our national insig
81 aunha
scarcely treated with decent respect In this
gloomy condition of things Virginia again came
forward with patriotic ardor to the rescue Of
the country. She took steps to bring about
revision and reformation of the old Articles of
Confederation, and to this end recommended
the assembling of commissioners from the diff
ferent States at Annapolis. A few met accord
ngly, but finding their powers inadequate to
the task to be performed, and the States repre-
scented too few to justify their undertaking 1t,
an address was put forth recommending Con
vention, to be held at Philadelphia, from which
emanated the present Constitution of the Uni
ted States. Over this Convention Virginia
presided, in the person of her illustrious
WAsHINoToN, whose name and influence were
the guiding genius Of that body. It was his
name that commended it to the people, and his
influence which mainly caused the adoption Of
that Constitution, opposed as twas in the most
strenuous manner, and enlisted against 1t as
there were men in every section, eminent alike
for public services, talent and eloquence.
Thus we see that in every political crisis
through which this nation has passed Virginia
has been in the lead; aud from her geograph-
cal position, extent Of territory, her influence,
especially with the South, owing TO the station
which has ever been conceded to her, the SINH
larity of her institutions and interests, and the
eminent statesmen to whom she has given birth
she must continue TO WELD most important in
fluence in the UNION.
And when we see the spirit of rebellion and
treason rife in various sections of the land, and
know the restless energy with which it pursues
its wicked purpose, we cannot but turn our eyes
to Virginia in hopeful confidence that in her il
will find rock against which its fury will beat
in VAN. In this conjuncture she is again des-
tined to act an important part let her remem-
Der that the eyes of the nation are upon her,
and that the hopes Of the Union must give way
when she hesitates OF falters.
But we have no fear; she has too long shown
her devoted loyalty and attachment to the Con
s,itution and the Union, and has too lately de-