Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-11-16
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
Ffoa The Richmond Enquirer Of the l4h-(BrcckiT
ridge.)
WHAT WILL VIRGINIA DO?


WHAT WILL VIRGINIA Do?
The question, "What will Virginia do 2. ia the event
of secession Of Southern States is now being asked by
thousands in both sections Of the country The longer
this question remains unanswered by the people oil VIZ
ina the greater is the danger that beses the Union
Vrgnias silence misleads both sections and tends toen-
courage the North in the belief that she will remain an
idle spectator in the conflict Of coercion that Buchanan
or Lincoln may undertake against seeding States TINS
silence is not understood at the South. Vreinas posi-
ton and influence the weight attached to her opinion,
demand something this time from her, which shall au-
thortativey define her position and duly advise all sec
tons what they may expect from her.
We have already advised the assembling Of State
Convention at an early day. Such action becomes more
and more necessary With every step taken by sister
States Of the South. Every day Of all parties in
Virginia becoming convinced of the imperative ne
cessity of State Convention Such a body, composed
of the abes and best Of Virginia without regard to
party politics would exert influence over both sec
lions most beneficial at this time Without such con-
yention the State In danger at any moment Of being
involved in civil war There are thousands Of persons
in Virginia who will sustain and support any seeding
State and there perhaps equally as many who will
rally TO the standard Of the Federal Government should
il undertake TO such State The sovereign voice
of Virginia let il DE it may, will be respected by all
her citizens and her mandates will be obeyed however
much they may conflict with individual wishes and opin
ions.
The action of State Convention in Virginia may do
much good towards settling peaceably this much vexed
and dangerous question while continued silence will per-
nit the State to be involved in the conflicts of civil
It was with the view Of concentrating public opinion
upon State convention well TO prepare PEG.
pie for any unforeseen emergency that Gov Wise inaug
urated THE Minute Men" organization He contemplated
no private raid upon the Federal Government and
that the canvass past political animostes subsid
ing and cooler reason is doing justice to the patriotism
of men Of all parties.
We hope to see the late canvass, with all its anmosi-
ties forgotten, and Of all parties, VirgiRiGns
manuy striving for the honor Of the State and the pre-
servation Of the Federal Union We yield to no man
in devotion to a Constitutional Union, but compete
with no man in attachment 10 empty Unon deprived
of its constitutional guarantees and stripped Of the
equality of the States.
Ia the discussions Of the late canvass erroneous inn
pressons were made upon the Northern mind that div
sion and dscord in Virginia would ultimately eliminate
ia conflicts between her citizens when the question of
Union OF Disunon presented TO her people We do
not believe that any portion Of the people Of Virginia
will oppose the voice Of the State as pronounced by
Convention and ratified by her people. Desiring Con-
yention to decide this question: shall not undertake
10 determine "what Virginia will do" That Is a cues
ton for the people Of the State As for ourselves and
speaking for very many Others who agree with u.s. we
are for United South-in the Union If possible which
we much preler-bu. if that be denied u.s. then we
for a united South as the only means Of preserving
Southern rights and Southern institutions We do
for one moment question the motives of any who may
disagree with us.