Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-01-21
The True Attitude of Virginia.

On the lOth instant, IN the House of Representa-
tves, Mr. Leake of Virginia, one of the ablest and
most experienced OF the delegation from that State
said:
81 have no design to makea spcecb-none in the
world My only design in taking the floor is to
correct misrepresentation INTO which the gentle
man from Tennessee Mr.. Stokes has fallen, in re-
gard to the position of the honored State which
have the honor in part to represent. That gentle
man quoted this morning the language of the late
Governor of Virginia, in the speech which he made
to the students, returning from Philadelphia to
Richmond, two or three weeks since. He quoted it
with appreciation and presume his intention was
to attribute to the State of Virginia the sentiments
of Governor WiSe'S speech.
Mr.. Stokes. | did allude to the remarks made
by Ex-Governor Wise, in which he said that he
would fight in the Union. He went further and
stated that if he were President he would send
a commission to the northern States that have pass
ed laws contrary to the rights and interests of the
South, and would demand repeal of those laws if
they refused, he would send second, and third
time, and if they persisted in refusing they would
do so at their peril.
Mr.. Leake. presume there is no differences be-
tween the gentleman and myself as to the language
of Governor Wise. | am not here to v:ndicatc the
late Governor of Virginia, to defend him in any
particular. / am here to take care of the honor of
the State of Virginia, independent of all Governors
and all outside influences. | admit that, for aught
know, the gentleman has quoted him correctly
But say behalf of the sixth congressional dis
trict stretching it does along the backbone of
the State one hundred and fifty miles, and compre-
hendng within its limits the very heart, geographic
cay and sent;mentally, CT the State that repudi-
ate the sentiment which the gentleman ascribes to
the late Governor of Virginia. | choose rather to
refer to the Representatives of that State to hear
her sentiments than to any other source. 1t never
entered my head, and | undertake to say that it
or
Virginia this floor to fight inside OF this Union
The idea is ridiculous in the extreme. 1t is the re-
ductiO al dJSurduW. We have a remedy which we
have right to apply. Virginia is the judge of that
remedy. Pardon me for saying that Virginia knows
her rights and dare maintain them. She is the cX-
elusive judge of any infringement of those rights,
and of the remedy which she shall apply. And
never, in the history of that Commonwealth never
from 1913 to this day, has Virginia dreamed of
creating intcrnecine within the Union.
But she will do another thing. There is peace
full reme,i y-ay, sir a constitutional remedy. L
Scorn to stand on the ground that your Stewards
cupy scorn to place the rights of Virginia on tina.
higher law that has been preached at the other end
of the Capitol and that is also held and practccd at
this end of it. Virginia has the right, when she
plcaSeS to withdraw from this Confederacy. APP
plause from the Democratic benches. Whe ever
the heavy hand of oppression is laid upon her,
whenever she feels that the burdens of the Union
more tnail from
it. she says to you, with that quiet and dignity
which become her proud and ancient renown, 81
withdraw myself from your association, and stand
here as l was originally, on that proud and elevated
ground of pure, Independent undelegated sovereign
ty which never consented to divide with you -
That is her doctrine. We will not fight in the
Union but quit it the instant think proper to do
We make sister States of the
Confederacv We have right to assail the State
of Pennsylvania the gallant little State of Della
ware which Major Noah once sad he could put in
his breeches pocket, and if he could, his pocket
would have contained sOyeregn
We hold to the rig hts of the States absolute,
indcieaSlble right; and we hold furthermore that
that right is not aggressive in its character. 1t is
protective and not aggressive. 1t is defensive and
not offensive. Ii is shield and not a sword if
a sword it is that flaming sword which guarded
the gates of the garden Of Eden, turning every way,
and yet doing harm TO none except such AZ attempt
to invade the sacred precincts which /: guards. Ap-
pausc.
There is Virginia doctrine for You Neither Gov
ernor Wise nOI all the Governors in creation shall
commit me to any other | make no war on the eX-
Governor of Virginia, eloquent and able as he is
chivalric and brave but just erratic. do not
choose to bow down to every sentiment he utterS.
stand here the advocate of State sovereignty, pure
and absolute, and never intend TO give it up"