Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-10
Secretary Pioyd ON secession.

The Richmond ECquirer Of "Wednesday las, contain
ed long letter from the Hon. john B. Floyd Secretary
Of War in which be discusses the questions at issue be-
tween the North aud South and defends the right OF Sc
ceson. though he would not exercise it before making
further efforts as Cancellation and harmony. We have
room only for the following extracts
The North has set the example Of doing without the
South in the election OF a common President The SOU
Il about answering this by allowing them 70 DO WITH
out her In the Union. The people, acting IN mass, VII
no. stop in crisis to draw distinctions and split hairs
The Southern peoples answer TO the North will be as de-
onsratve aud defiant in direction as Tie election
Of Mr. Lincoln on The part OF the North in the other
IL all the Southern States shall put t 70 popua- vote, 70
v What shall be done in the present crisis the position
Of probably every one OF them viii be extreme. II few
escede and an Efforts az reconciliation fai all must,
sooner or later secede Virginia would not other Dor
der States could not stand neutral between North and
South.
FOR one am no, in favor Of secession As long as any
honorable effort can be made 90 preserve the Union on
constitutional basis guaranteeing equality justice and
protection to the negro property Of the South shall
no. undertake IN this place 20 parcuaTize al the mea-
sures Of reform and policy which should be incorporated
into settlement OF the present differences between the
North and the South. cannot Conceive how harmony
can be permanently secured long Congress contu-
u,s % be made mere debating club for agitation and
ircsndisry appeal Toe acts Of the several Northern
States uuying the fugitive slave law being uoverye
1f the Constitution, VtOlilNt OF tle pSteu La W ND
f.dsraies and ia conflict with the comfy Of States
oeht 10 be repealed and amendment % the constitution
mus forever prevent their re-enactment.
But even though the principles Of settlement Of the
-esen. troubles could De agrced upo0, there would be
ry great difficulty in procuring their early ratification
~ he peoule Of the two sections The Northern
ennot be brought at 10 recede from the extreme
i aggressive positions they have assumed towards the
Soatb: whc the South, tired Of broken compromises,
81 s,,rti7g from repeated and nsver-endiug insult viii
H.Hha Ia enaHa M0Hnnv
evsrv III Hesitation BY the South Of willingness 20 ac-
cent terms Of reconciliation is AZ construed by The
North into psOot Of umdity aud made he occasion OF
new insuli and injury.
believe however that the great material interests Of
die couatry demand reconciliation Of the sections and
the preseryaton Of the Union; and rely much upon The
ow bul certain the silent but potential influence OF
this great agency 70 bring about settlement Of our pre-
sent troubles The main study Of all should DC 70 pre-
ven. any collision between the sections, aud most espc
c.alg .hs shedding Of the first drop OF blood II we
can but succeed in averng these ealamies, the great
practical business interests Of the country nav, per
chance sooner or LATER bring about reconstruction If
the Union and a restoration OF harmony between the
seccons.
NJ Foyi in continuation declares tina; It is fatal err
ro- 20 suppose that the interest Of England would promp.
her 10 ose, the planting interests Of the South. Occe
vhia the reach Of her poEer she will fix upon Us for
ever the very bldy, Of inleror.y which We are nos
ready 20 destroy th' Ulioa 20 escape and viii foster our
proia,,s so far and tar only, may be absolutely
nee .stry 20 supply hr wants. Englnd would insis;
u1oi making coed her rc-or5 upon the slavery ques.
TO-" n. +. ttea concludes as follows;
Bat with al these Consequence attending the meas
ne OF disluon and ml.uIilous others which gcdd.s
occlr % every miui o3on l. ls nov out either TO
choose 70 encounter them 90 secure those guarantees
zhh must sOD 20 once AMI forever the a,sre0ls aud
AGITATION 20 which the North has been long addicted
on the subject Of slavery. W,A pso2er guarantees OF
this sort walsh could b. gwen by amsuiments % toe
constitution, NAV q On m hlppy and g.o-ious
union made from mIt1d,y OF pssaniary Interests,
sud consciousness which uu.ol vii give rs OF power 90
ntiusia al our rights and command the respect % t-
world.
am Of opinion that the Legislature Of yirsu1
should immediately call convention OF the people o.
che S,.e With vieE OF referring all these momeutoI,
e1esols 70 the arotramsnt Of convention Of al the
Sasss such As is provided for in tne federal constl-
toa nd that 10 the time, Virginia should use al.
snce 70 calm the eNaspers.ed teelag Of me coun'
try aud 70 prsyenL pOsS5l; hostile coils lon N aly
llar.er or lro1i any cause.