Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-11-13
For the Spectator.

Mr. EDITOR: The election is over and Lincoln
Is President elect, and our Federal Government
IS 'reinolng to her very centre. The North is
nuzzalng over Its success, while the South is
taking measures to dissolve this glorious Union.
south carolina is IN state of great fermentation
II not actual secession and her Legislature,
called by her Governor into extra session, is &C.
lively engaged In completing measures for an i'm
mediate withdrawal from the National compact.
She is arming and drilling her militia for her
defence, and ultimately for conquest, should she
succeed IN getting the whole Southern States to
join her. Her Governor recommends, in his
message to the Legislature, that ten Thousand
volunteers De accepted, and be made ready for
instant action While all these portentious and
reasonable measures are going on in that shot
bed OF secession, Virginia, the mother, not only
OF Statesmen, but of States-the Old Dominion
of 'the days." in the long past, 'that tried mems
sonl"-is still quiet, and thank God, is disposed
to await the developments of time, and not to
rush into q civil war, that would bring misery
and ruin on the whole oountry-Nortb, South,
East and West.
virginia has ever been conservative State !;
ever ready to do her part 10 the struggles OF her
country, and to defend her rights against any and
all foeInen. But she is unwilling to raise her
hand, SO long as Sue can help it, against that
Government to which she gave birth, and to
whose past stability she has so largely contri-
buted.
But how has it been with South Carolina9-
A tory in '76, nullifer in 1882, and seceder
in 1860. She has always been al unruly mem
Der, and considering her general character in the
days OF the Revolution, and still .later-during
the administration of Gen. Jackson-she ought
to be little more modest and quiet.
L 49, L. - l. I.
elected by the people, in the enjoyment of their
inherent rights, by a considerable majority, she
feels it her duty not to resist his Inauguration or
ADMINISTRATION, as this strikes at the foundation
OF our Government, so long as that adninistra :
ton is in accordance with the Constitution of
the United States, and does not infringe upon
the rights OF the several States.
! | would suggest that, as Virginia has set an
example of moderation and conservatism, worthy
| of the favorable consideration of the South,
county meetings be held at an early day, com
posed of all the Union men, of all parties, ire
spectively; and that said county meetings APP
point delegates to meet in Convention, in Rich
mond, on the 18th of December next, or earlier,
to give expression to the sentiments of Virginia
in this important crisis for as goes Virginia, so
goes the South. | believe that the balance OF
power so far as the Union is concerned, is with
Virginia. By her act, she may preserve or de-
stroy the Union. Since the South has done for
the North 10y voting for three opposing candi-
dates) what she threatened to dissolve the Union
for, if the North did it, {elect Linconl it be.
comes Virginia. State ore deeply Interested
in the matter yhan any other--ta take the lead
in every possible manner for saving the Union.
Let US have county meetings, and then State
Convention, composed only of Union men, and
let them express the sentiments of Virginia,
which are "GoD SAVE THE UNION! =
! suggest the 14th OF December the most
suitable, though most too fer of, because d its
being the birth day of Washington, the 'Fathel
of bis Country" Irepeat, God save the Union
/ love the South--but love the Union more.