Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-18
TO OORRKSPONDKNTs.
LsrIAe People of Virginia be warned In Tin

good people Of Virginia to be their guard against the
precptAtng" DisunOnsts and Revoutionis.s in their
midst From Ell have and heard within the last
few days have come to the conclusion that it is the
settled purpose Of the Dsunion party in this STATE give
she people time for calm rehecion-nO time for mu-
tul eOnsultaton-nO time for considerate action. Il
Is the design Of the PrcipatOrs rush the State and
the people into immediate revolution and immediate col
hsiOu With the General Government Hence, their plan
is get the Legislature which assemblies in this city on
ths 7th Of January TO authorize the call Of Conven-
ton without a moments delay the election Of members
TO said Convention to be held within very few weeks
thereafter and the Convention itself to meet and de-
clare. ITgiHa OF Of bs Union before tbs 4th Of March.
Such, apPrehend IS the plan Of the DsuniOn Precip
.ors in this State, and especially in the city Of Rich
monJ.
Now We protest against such reckless and indecent
haste in matter so grave and so mOmentous We de-
sire the people Of this rerOEned and yenerated old Com
monWealth to act with the caution, moderation and dig
niy that becomes them in the present serious aud alarm
ing crisis What Virginia follow the wild and ridi
culcds example Of South Carolina? To take a mad leap
" the dark, without knowing or caring to know the
consequences Of 50 indiscreet and rash movement
Never Before doing any thing at all let US pause and
reflect II secede az all let US secede with our eyes
wide open to what Is to follow. Let US know what We
doing, and LEI not bring upon ourselves and upon
the State the rdeue Of the whole world by taking hasy
aud absurd positions which mperOus subsequent cir
csmsiances may force Us to lament and abandon. Ia
s'word in this great matter Of Overturning and recon
struc,iug governments LEI us act in a spirit Of wisdom
prudence and calmness.
And vet notwithstanding the manifest necessity Of
caution in the present emergency, there are those
amongst Who elamor for immediate secession without
thought beyond the act OF secession itself They
10 think that the ordinance OF secession would be
'the bean and the endAl" Of all duties dangers
troubles. They utterly repulats the wise and excel -
oil mlSm Of Think before you leap and dsnou' -,
sts,i,'ionisi' all who viii adopt taer fast ST
cou' prseip7tatng" policy. They imagine Z A, 49,.
secession, the crisis will Immediately come G, -,
fblt an difficulties aud troubles will immeJ .,s, -,
iaio ,ha air-hat peace and prosperity Il bo o., o,,
e3tstshei-in short that the glOres a. dblss ~,
nlsaih itself viii break upOr ,l. "a, -, -.
OF the seeding States aud their siti,,ps r., 49,, -,
.ich eounseIors at time o. q, All, would r.. H.,
height Of sbsurdy and n ,5,.,s and y 49,. -. =,
people OF virginia are roo intelligent ard too wise to fol
''1 'l' 'sA1 VI SUI mad cap political philosophers
- i'F are concerned, We are utterly opposed TO
curry m the assembling Of a state COnyen-
% SOUR Judgment the election for members to the
= ,enton ought be held before the middle or TWEEN
,tb Of April and the Convention itself should not a.
samslo before the first Of May-aEd even later day
would be preferable. We desire fall and fair discus
sion before tho people Of the questions which the Coayen
ycu,on wll be called upon decide and it Is eyideu,
TIA, proper einyass and discussion cannot be carried
on in the mds, Of winter. Lss the people and the can
daa.es have March and April for the consideration and
discussion Of the grave subjects ia issue and then let the
CnvsniiOn assemble in Nay, or about the frs. Of
June. Th plan would best consult toe convenience and
ae sshes Of the people and candidates and afford them
l ample opportunity to take their position adyisedy
a7lzw.ely TIE idea-ia the midst OF winee-of hold
ing an election, assembling Convention aud that Con-
ysaon taking action the gravesy Question imaginable
al ishn the brief space Of six seven weeks-,hat is
b,seen the Ih Of January and the Am Of March The
thAys grossly absurd and ridicuous For this great
CshhoaWeath to act in manner hasy aud undigui-
dwould make her the hughingstock of the world
S0aih Carolina NAV aiord thus act but Virginia can
uolfor the "Ayher Of States aud Of Statesmen must
Copsal alike her past fame, her present responsibilities
and Der future glory and welfare.
We hope therefore that the people of Virginia wlrS
s,t any attempt, come from what quarter it may, to
AHry them forward in a Of action fatal alike to
eir dignity their interests their honor and their peace