The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-12-14
Gov. tWise's Message.

RICHMOND, Dec 5.-Boih Houses of
the Legislature of Virginia were organ.
lied to-day. The Governors message re-
views the Harper's Ferry affair at great
length. 1t speaks of the spirit of fanati-
ism and aboltionism, which haze seemed
to madden whole masses of one entire Sec
ton of the country; Which enters into re-
lieion, education, politics and prayers,
courts of justice and legislatures; which
has trained mp three generations in moral,
in social habits Of hatred to the masters
of African slaves in the United States,
but turns not upon slaves elsewhere; which
| sent comforts and counsellors, and would
have sent rescue to the assassins, robbers,
| murderers and traitors, whom it has sent
+, to felons' graves. Unless the numerical
majority will cease to violate the confed.
eratc faith, and cease to disturb our peace,
to destroy our lives and property, and to
deprive us of all protection and redress
under the perverted forms and distorted
| workings of the Union, we must take up
arms. The issue is too essential to be
compromised any more. We cannot
stand such insults and outrages as those
committed at Harper's Ferry, without
suffering what is even worse than the
death of our citizens, without suffering
dishonor-the death of State. 'Tis
not to be denied that we have many
sound and sincere friends in the non slave
holding States. but the conservative ele-
merits are passive, whilst the fanatical are
2active. The former are fast diminishing
whilst the latter are increasing in num-
bers and force.
With regard to the insurgents the mes
sage says:
'Tis mockery to call them monomaniacs
The leade: himself spurned the plea, and
it was not put in upon the trials. They
were prompted by the evil spirit of in.
cendiarism, which demoralized numerous
hosts behind them, who now sympa:hize
with their deeds before the world. These
men hired them without themselves incur.
ring the risk of their crimes, and no won.
! der they now sympa,hize with them, even
10 madness, and that John Brown despis.
ed the hypocritical cant of their preteuse
tha; he was insane. TfLsft9
The most interesting feature Of thi:
predatory war is that 1t has lis seat in tie
British province. which furnishes an asy.
lum, to our fugitives and sends them and
their hired outlaws upon US from depots
and rendezvous in bordering States,
There is no danger from our State or the
coored people. The slaves taken refused
to take up arms, and the first killed was
a respectable free negro, while running
from the philan,hropists vino came to lib
crate the black race.
In closing the message, the Governor
says, we must organize and arm: we mus,
fdcmand of each State what position she
means to maintain in the future with re-
spect to slavery and provisional constitu.
tions; the laws of the United States, anG
the provisions of our State laws for it.
protection in our federal relations, and bt
governed according to the manner in whicl
the demand is answered. We are in arms
let US defend our own position, or yield a
once. Let US have action, and resolve or
a definite settlement; no more temporizins
the Constitution. no more compromise
The other conticts await execution They
Twill be executed, unless the General As
scmbly order otherwise. .......... ~