Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-30
The Non-Insercourse Movement I'm
Virginia.


The people Of Virginia are forming clubs
and signing pledges against continuing com
mereial intercourse with the abolitiouists OF
the North. The idea and the Object seems to
be popular one with all parties and both
sexes The chief difference of sentiment on
the subject which we have been able 10 dis
cover, If, whether il is proper and expedient
20 make the non-intercourse general, or to
apply it only to those who are known as abo-
litionists. The following appeal. III behalf
of the movement, is from the Richmond Wing:
I'VE have once or twice urged the ctiZns
of Richmond to call at the Disp1tch Office and
sign the pledge OF non-inteIcourse with the
abolitionists of the North. We do so again.
We hope that every man in Richmond will
pipn it and adhere TO it most religiously. II
any are disposed tai go further let them do so.
All men are not OF the same opinion us to
the policy or practicability OF absolute non
Intercourse with the North. There is entire
unanim nifty OF sentiment. however, upon the
question Of non-lntercourse with the aboli-
tionists-the reckless enemies of the South,
and their active abettors-and, such being
the fact, we hope thai every man in the com
munity will put himself under solemn
pledge ito violate which would he dishonor-
able), not only to cease trafficking with the
pestiferous class or, knowingly, 10 buy
from any person whatever goods Of any kind,
known or believed to be manufactured by,
purchased from, or belonging to. wholly. or
In part, any one esteemed an abolitionist;"
but TO buy no article OF Northern product or
manufacture until he has endeavOrtd ''by all
fair means, in every cas- of reasonable doubt
10 learn whether abolition sentiments be, or
not. entertained by those with whom we
might else have busness dealings" Let
every Virginian pledge his honor to the OBJ
servance of this mode of retribution, and the
effect will be beneficial. II he favors ndis-
crimiaate non-intercOurse. there is nothing in
the pledge TO restrain him. But let him, at
least, take this one step, and carry out the
spirit Of the resolve.
II Is not our province or purpose to discuss
the relative advantages or Disadvantages OF
fndiscriminate nOn-intercourse. This is a
question which may well engage the earnest
solicitude of every patriot who looks to the
welfare OF his country. The citizen who
favOrs discrimination, as the most expedient
mode of redress in this crisis is doubtless ac-
tuated by as laudable and patriotic motives
as be who favors indiscriminate nOn-inter-
course. In the one case there is desire to
avoid the possible alienation of avowcd and
known friends. by visiting upon them the
retribution which should fall alone upon the
enemies OF the South. In the other there is
an honest desire to impcl those friends to
an active opposition against common en-
envy, by making them feel, pecuniariy, the
necessity for that activity. 1t il delicate
question, involving the stability OF the Union
and the destiny of unborn millions. Let
every man calmly decide for himself what is
TO be done. The writer of this, while be has
most cheerfully signed the pledge which he
invites others to sign, has determined, with
out further pledge or coinmttal, to give in
ail Instances the preference in the purchase
or use OF any article to the products man
ufactures of the South, and if there should
be pressing necessity TO procure any article
made only in the North, he will dispense with
it. at all hazards, unless he can be satisfied
that il was not manufactured BY, or pur-
chased from, one of those vilest of all living
creatures an abOlitiOnist. We shall anxious
ly await the result OF the next general cleo
tion in the North and if our hopes are then
disappointed. shall be ready to 20 with
him who goes farthest.
Under the caption, "a HOmespun Party
we also find the following in the Richmond
Wing
"The movement towards Southern indie
pendence is progressing steadily. The peo-
pie of Virginia are in dead earnest abOnt |
the matter. While we gentlemen have con- |
tented ourselves, yet. with meetings |
speeches, &c. the ladies have begun 10 act |
Without noise they have commenced To give |
force and color to our resolutions-tO put |
our theories into practice. We had the pleas |
ure, few evenings ago, Of attending "A |
'homespun party, given by patriotic lady |
OF this city, whose excellent good sense |
prompted her TO substitute deeds for words. |
and 10 inaugurate at once that system OF
self-depcIdence which has been the theme of |
the innumerable public meetings held recent |
iy in every county of the State. The party |
was a decded--a brilliant success. More |
than hundred ladies and gentlemen, belong
ing to the most respected families in the |
city. were present, all of whom were attired
in part or in whole in garments made of Vr-
ginia fabrics, wove III Virginia looms. Ii
was strictly Virginia cloth party"
At public meeting held in Alexandria
last week, it was
'Resoluea, That, 10y way OF giving prac-
teal issue 10 this meeting, and as the first
step towards the attainment of Southern
commercial independence, the citizens of
Alexandria here assembled, pledge them
selves 10 Use and weaf no article of apparel
not manufactured in the State OF virginia:
and to buy all our bats, caps. boots, shoes |
and clothing at home and of home manufac- |
ture. and induce our wives and daughte to |
do the same; aud that the directors of our |
several railroad companies be and they are
hereby requested TO pursue the same policy
with reference to all articles required by
their respective roads"
In other cities and towns in Virginia
"Homespun Clubs, the members of which
pledge themselves to dress in no other than
Virginia fabrics, are being organized.