Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-04
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Nov that the Christmas rc,ess is over and the Legs
ature has re-assembed We trus. the member Will dill
gently address themselves TO the performance OF the va
rious important dudes expected AMI demanded OF them
by their constituents The present session OF the GeIe
raj Assembly il looked TO by the whole State and the
whole country with feelings Of unusual interest aud anN-
ety That the members rightly appreciate the grave and
pressing responsibilities Of their position, We hope and
believe. Al all events the people of Virginia viii not
hold them gutess n they fail 10 respond TO the eXgen-
css OF the times and refuse 20 adopt such measures as
she safety honor ard permanent welfare OF the Com
monwealth demand.
Ia almost every county In the State, meetings OF our
citizens without distinction of party have been held
aud resolutions unanimously adopted, urging upon the
Legislature the importance and necessity of putting Che
Commonwealth in a state OF defence Before the recess
aa able Joint committee Of the tso Houses vas appointed
70 take this whole subject into consideration aud make
report suggesting such and plans for the de-
fence of the State as IN rs wisdom, might be deemed
best aud most efectua At the head OF this committee
vas rlaced the Hon A H. H. SIUARI, the able and us
.inRuished Senator from Augusta-a gentleman OF u''
,sray conceded talents Of large experience n pubic a
fairs OF wide and accurate Information and OF Juds-
nsnt and discretion, which emiueuty no h'm Tor iae
position and or the duties which have been So tatter e.
ly assigned him We have confidence that this commit
tee will thoroughly investigate aud maturey consider tie
important subjects referred them and wiz digest aud
present TO the Legislature liisous and efficient plan
for the organization OF the militia and the general de-
fence Of the Commonwealth The people demand thar
the people themselves should be supplied with arms OF
the best aud most approved stye 20 put them ia
situation 10 defend themselves az any moment against
anv and all attacks, open or covert come from wha,
quarter n sy NAV They demand also, that the State
Armory be thoroughly overhauled and pnt IN coudi-
ton suited % the public necessities and the public safety
In word the earnest desire Of the people is that Nr
gnia should be dependent only upon herself for arms
for powder aud for ball. ]; the duty of the Legis-
tire. tberelore-its urgent and imperative iu'y-'o
carry out the wishes Of their constituents in this respect
and adopt all ueedful measures for rendering the Com
monventh completely and perfectly independent Of the
North aud of Europe for munitions Of war, and for all
the elements and means Of seEdeence
We are no slars,s in respect TO the hostile condition
of public sentiment al the North. But our motto is
hope for the best. bu, prepare for the worst We have
confidence that slu,ary reaction is going on at the
Nor,h-,bat tbe people 10 that section are beginning TO
awaken 10 the dangers which sectional one-ideaed anu
slavery organization involves but ne cannot be aoSo
u,ey assured Of she fact it fact 10 be- until after tie
next elections there which take place not until NEXT
Fall and the good results of which elections must Doe eA
bibi,ed ia the legislation of ths Northern Sae'-that
iD the repeal OF al obnoxious and unconstitutional a"-
which stand upon their statute books as an insult and o.
iu-v 10 the south Il seven Northern states, We b'-
Eeys law, exist which uufy t5e Fugitive Slave law, ard
the repe. Of these laws and su similar ones should be