Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-09-29
LETTER FROM THE HON. WILLIAM Q. RTvEs.

Ny DEAR Sir: On my arrival at home a day or two
sgo had tue honor to receive your letter Of the lth
instant informing that it is proposed TO hold mass
meeting of the friends of Bell and Everett in Charottes-
ve on the 25h and 10Th inst, sat WHICH many of the
most eloqent speakers OF the State expected to be
present and that Is Is the wish Of the Central Committee
that should preside over the proceedings and open them
with an address"
cannot but feel how Hatering such a request Is and
beg you TO express to the committee my most grateful
sense Of il. Ay warmest sympathes with them in
the great public they have espoused aud rejoice
to believe that the time is at hand when the constitution
al and conservative principles they profess will receive
solemn reiterated sanction from the people Of our an
| cient Commonweel h.
| Virginia has ever been distinguished as foremos.
among the States in her resistance TO all invasons OF the
Constitution by acts Of undeegated or usurped power
but the shield she has opposed these encroschmens
has always been that OF the Constitution ITSELF Mark
her language Of earnest and unaffected loyalty to the
Constitution and the Union in her memorable resolutions
Of 1885, By which she insugurated successful const-
utional resistance to those Agaut acts of Federal usur
paton--the Ahen and Sedition Laws:
"The General Assembly of Virginia doth unequivocal.
" express q firm resolution TO maintain and defend The
Constitution of the United States" This Assembly most
solemnly declares attachment to the Union of
these States TO maintain which il pledge all its powers
| "The good people Of this Commonwealth having ever
felt aud continuing feel the most sincere attachment
their brethren Of the other States the truest anxiety
or establishing and perpeultng the union of all and
the mos. serupulous fidelity to the Constitution which is
the pledge Of mutual friendship and the instrument Of
mutual happiness, doth soemnly appeal 10 the like dis
| positions OF The other States.E
What a striking contrast does this noble and manly
language present TO the threats we hear daily of dsSov
ing the Union founded by the anxious and wisdom
OF fathers for actual but contingent specua-
tive wrongs 70 the elaborate aud perseverng efforts to
decry the Constitution itself as fraught with Injustice
aud expressions to the ayowa Of deliberate policy, by
means Of agitation, ITO precpitate the South into
luton and to the open patronage Of disorgsnzng the
cries and projects which, in strange spirit Of contradc
ton propose the viudiOation OF rghts under compact
by the reputation and destruction Of the compac: it.
self
Profoundly convinced, as am by the reflections and
experience Of life past its meridian that the true
interests of all the Sa;es-O Virginia, from her peou-
liar POSITION especiay-will ever be found in the maiu-
enauee o. our constitutional Union, and that there
no evils Of msgogenment or NATURALIZATION likely
70 arise for which the multiplied defensive resources Of
admirable fedeative system will not: in due time, af
ford pc Oeable aud eicacous remedies feel patriotic
satisfaction which have words TO express at the
prospect that now lies before OF a solid and controls
ling union Of public sentiment in Virginia on the bas
Of these great principles large portion of our Demo
cratic feow-ciizens it is now evident agree with
fully in these sentiments; and however different party
Gags may be for season. there must be ultimately union
Of action where there is identity Of principle ques
/ ton so paramount and vital
Heneeiog Eard then, we NAV hope that Virginia. con-
| tinung With uud5mayed lrmness 10 rope as she hss
ever done every unhalowed attempt interference with
the domestic institutions the reserved rights of the
States viii DO So in the proud consciousness OF just
cause with drawn from the srsenRl Of the Const
tuton and standing upon its ramparts maintain the en-
regrty Of the Union against every attempt weaken
sabyert Il, whether from the North or The South.
These the prayers and sentiments which il we're
present would beg permission TO oer to my brethren
OF the Constitutional Union party and 10 friends and
feoS-osens of every political denomination in this "a
vored land of common nativity Long withdrawn from
the struggles Of public life and stranger 10 tbs
poll ical arena gladly leave to the younger and ADLER
men, who OCCUPY Il with such distinguished usefulness
and honor tho noble task Of vlndeing our principles
in debate and with the wishes for the success
Of the cause and is worthy champions and above ALL
fer the perpeuity Of the glorious Institutions bequsaihed
TO us-by tie wisdom Of our ancestors,
rSma-o, most truly aud faithfully, your friend.
w. O. RIvES,
GREls PrTTOS. Esqr Secretary, &C., &c,