Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-17

cannot by any mode of procedure, withdraw it's citizens
from the obligation obey the constitution and the laws
passed in pursuance thereof
But, when State does secede the constitution aud
laws of the United States to operate therein no
power Is conferred on Congress to enforce themsuch
authority was denied to the Congress the convention
which framed the Constitution because would be an
Of of nation against nation not the exercise oil
the legitimate power Of government TO enforce It's laws
on those subject to its jurisdiction.
The assumption of such power would be the asser-
Con OF prerogatve claimed by the British Government
to egsate for the colonies in all cases whatever il would
constitute Of itself dangerous attack on the rights oil
the States, and should be promptly repelled.
These principles resulting from the nature OF our sys
TEN of confederate States cannot admit Of question in
Virginia.
Our people in convention by the act OF ratification
declared aud made known that the powers granted I'M
der the Constitution being derived from the people of the
United States may be resumed by them whenever they
shall be perverted to their injury and oppression.
From what people these powers derived Con-
fessedy from the people of each State acting for them
selves BY whom they to be assumed or taken back
By the people of the States who then granting them
away Who to determine whether the powers
granted had been perverted to their injury or oppres
sion Not the whole people of the United States, for
could be oppression Of the whole with their own
consent and it could not have entered into the concep
ton of the convention that the power granted could not
be resumed until the oppressor himself united in such
| resumption.
They asserted the right to guard the people Of yr-
gina for whom alone the Convention could act against
the oppression Of irresponsible and sectional mejori
IT, the form Of oppression with which an angry
| Providence has afflicted humanity.
Whilst therefore, we regret that any State should, in
matter of common grievance have determined to act
for herself without consulting with her sister States
equally aggreved nevertheless constrained TO say
that the occasion uses and loudly calls for action of
some kind.
The election Of President by sectional majority, as
the representative of the principles referred to- clothed
with the patronage and incident TO the Office ncud
ing the authority appoint all the posimasters aud 9th
er officers charged with the execution Of the laws OF the
United States is itself a standing menace TO the South
"A direct assault upon her nsutionsan incentive TO
I'd Derry and instruction requiring from our own mme-
date local in its sovereign character prompt
action to obtain additional guarantees for equality and
security in the Union to take measures for protection
| and security without il.
In view thereof of the present condition Of our coun-
try and the causes OF declare almost in the words
of our thers contained in address OF the Freehodes
of Botetourt in Februry, l775 to the delegates from
| Virginia to the Continental Congress
That desire change in our government whilst LETT
free TO the enjoyment Of equal privileges secured
"by the Contribution. But that should wicked and
tyrannical sectional maj rity under the sanction OF the
forms of the Consultation persist in acts Of injustice
and violence towards u.s. they only must be answerabe
for the consequences that liberty is strongly inn
pressed hearts that we cannot think OF parting
with it but with lives; that our duty TO God, our
country ourselves and our poserity, forbid N We
81 stand therefore, prepared for every emergency"
Resolved therefore, That in view Of the facts set out
in the foregoing preamble il the opinion OF this meet
ing that convention Of the people should be called
forthwith; that the State in its sovereign character,
should consult with the other Southern States and agree
upon such guarantees in their opinion will secure their
equality tranquility and rights within the Union And
in the event OF failure TO obtain such guarantees, to
adopt in concert with the other Southern States alone
such measures as may most expedent TO protect
the rights and the safety Of the people Of Virginia
Aud in the event OF change in relations to the
other States being rendered necessary that the conven
ton 30 elected should the people for their
adoption such alterations in State Constitution as
may adapt to the altered condition of the State and
| q