New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-19
THE STATE OF FEELING IN VIRGINIA.

Correspondence Of The ~ Y Tribune.
RICHMOND, Nov 16 1860.
tits simply ridiculous to zee in certain NewYors
papers such startling announcements az that VtrgiHZ
is armiag kerself;' "Great preparations for the
coming strUgge' &C., connected with correspondence
from this city. Such statements without founda-
ton in fact. Virginia never more quiet In every
respect than at the present time. 1t is true the cleo
ton Of Mr. Lincoln was, as no one doubted It would
be- received with evidences of dissatisfaction far e1-
ceeding that which is usually excited by the event Of
mere political defeat; and it is also true that such
feeling has but little abaed. But deep and all per-
vadng as is the disapprobaton Of the result OF the
Presidential Election, there have been no popular
gatherings TO give it expression either in this city or
any Of the adjoining counties far we have been
able to learn, by private information or through the
public prints The subject is freely discussed on the
thoroughfares and in private circles; but opinions are
given and received calmly and dispassionately-so
much So in fact as to provoke the auns of the dsun-
ion Breckenridge journals throughout the State, and
call from them the repeated inquiry, What VIII Viz
pnia do in the event Of secession Of Southern StatesP
But while Virginia is seemingly thus quiescent and
while there is none of the wild excitement within her
borders witnessed in the Southern portions Of the
Confederacy her silence should not be rnisconstued by
either section. That silence s only the calm dignity OK
conscious strength and exalted and Interchangeable
purpose. 1t is that she appreciates less than
her more rash and unreAeeng sister Southern States
tie caIamities with which many thoughtful and saga
cious minds believe her TO be threatened that she
is less Jealous Of any encroachment npon her SOVEREIGN
rights 1t is because she is reluctant 10 set about de-
stroying the faes fabric of liberty on which the sun
shone it is because she is unwilling to begin the
pulling down Of the temple which our fathers fought
together to build up-aH our fathers, shoulder to
shoulder. 1t is because she is 10th TO show to the
world that the experiment of sefgovernment TO which
all the nations of the earth look for the final test
signal disgracefu mighty failure, at which the
despots Of the Old World would laugh with triumphant
gee and the oppressed of the earth shed bitter but
awaiting tears. The calm which prevails is far from
being that of indifference. The geographical position
Of Virginia and her domestic institutions inevitably
create deep and widespread sohcituds
among all classes Of her citizens in the
present unhappy condition Of affairs, and an anx-
ious watching for the elimination of the movement in
South Carolina and the rest of the so-caled Cotton
States; but affirm emphatically that the prevailing
sentiment of Virginia is by long odds in favor of Unon
and that the agators of dsunion are execrated
throughout the length and breadth of the State. The
people determined not to secede, Ex-Governor
lse ana ire 1efdd 10 tue contrary NOTWITHSTANDING
at least, not till the incoming Administration shall
commence positive aggressiOns against the South and
her institutions, and manifest determination, despite
of the Constitution and the oath to maintain it, TO carry
out the programme of the fanatical Aboonists OF the
Wendell Phillips school, The mere election of Pres-
dent whom they do not like is not held by them as
sufficient grounds for breaking up the Union. Elected
by section he has been; but the moment he swears
to support the Constitution he becomes the President
oft United States, and not of section alone And
furthermore, the masses of the people, who are not
Shareholders, have no idea of leaving Government
which they have tried, and with which they
are well enough satisfied, for one which can
not possibly in the nature of things be better, but
which would in all probability be much worse. They
are not going 10 give up their fresdes their wives
and children and all the comforts of peaceful home,
to fight for an impracticable niger in an imaginary
territory. There other things as dear to them
as ,cool and cotton.
Gov. Letcher has issued his proclamation requiring
the Legislature to assemble ON the 9TH Of January
next-not, the Disunonists would have the people
believe, in consequence of the of political affairs
resulting from the election of Mr.. Lincoln. His nten-
ton to c0nvoke the Legislature was made known long
before the election took place, and its object was then
declared to be- in conformity with petition of the
Board of Directors TO consider the affairs Of the James
River and Kanawha Canal. That he might not how,
ever seem to ignore the subject which seems most 10
occupy the public mind, the Governor has inserted
in his proclamation that the Legislature is called TO
gether to take into consideration among cther
things, the condition of public affairs" consequent
on 1.-The appointment of Electors a majority Of
whom are known to be favorable to the election Of
sectional candidates President and President
OF the United States whose principles and views ars
6e'crcd 10 be in direct hostility to their constitutional
rights and interests" That the action Of that body
will be free from passion and indscreet haste, is evil
deneed by their response to the South Carolina Com
missioner at their last session; for they know well
snough that the responsibility Of adopting measures
tending TO direct the future of this great country is
fearful one, and worthy of the most mature delbera-
ton. The mere desire for little transient notorety
can never be regarded by them as compensation foe
any evil that might arise from such action. Before any
stepe are taken by them with view to secession they
must witness unmisakable signs Of actice aggressoa
upon the South and her institutions and then s
must be reduced to mathematical demonstration that
Virginia Will be better able TO resist aggression out Of
the Union than in it.
The Tuning and -rauting of spunky hule Soath
Carolina bringing trouble upon her head even now.
Before the assembling OF her Legislature thers was
very little disposition op the part Of the trading eol-