Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-11-30
Stnxe Convention.

4 STAKE SOhSentiou.
we invite attention 10 the suhjoined letters
n-ou the Hon. James NJ. Mason and the Hon.
Henry l.. Hopkins. These letters arc in re.
Spouse to 4 letter addressed by ono Of the edi-
TOYS Of the Enquirer" to the following gentle.
nen: Hon. james NJ. Mason, Hon. K. NJ. l..
Kapter, Hon. John r. Floyd, Robert E. Scott
ESQ. IIoa. George W. Summers, Joseph Chris
tian, Esq, George Wm. Brent, Esq, Gen. WIN.
Il. Harman and Hon. Henry l.. Hopkins
MesSrs. Mason and Hopkins arc the only gen
,len,cn that have as yet replied. We are await
Ing answers from the others. All parties in
virginia are embraced, and the counsel and nd
vice IF the leaders Of these parties will have
much weight with the people Of Virginia.
The letters Vie publish 70. day-the one from
the Breckenridge wing and the other from the
Douglas wins-aro both for n State Conven-
tioa, snd show tina, no difference exists in the
Democratic pattT us TO Tie necessity for n State
Conventions.
]! any OF tho gentlemen named have not re-
ccisei the letter addressed by us to them, they
can, Notwithstanding, furnish us with their
views on the "p!opriety Of assembling a State
Convention" Us well rs TO the mature If State
action" If 1ny, in their opinion, is desirable ct
present.
We are particularly DESTROYS Of d~ivesting Of all
party connection, whatever action may lie taken
b. the Sta:e-Ecnce we have, upon consultation,
selected able, influential and leading men, from
ail parties representatives. Of different Sec
,iocs,oi the State rs well as party politics. We
shall publish Immediately on reception the
letters from those gentlemen who have not re-
piled. I; is the duty Of leading and IN
aueulial men, as these gentlemen undoubtedly
are, TO givc their views, advice and counsel TO
the people in this trying and embarrassing oc-
casion.
The prolaptress aud rnanliness OF the re.
plies to-day published, are very gratifying to
us, and will &c read with great interest through
Out the country. We are much pleased that Mr..
Hopkins, rrem whom We recently differed,
a2recs with US in the necessity fora State Con-
rcntioa called b. law, with delegates regularly
elected by the people. No other Convention
was ever contemplated by Us, certainly not
suc.: q one al tie Democratic Convention Of
February last, the like Of which We hope never
TO sec in Virginia again.
Senator Mason, with that manly boldness
which has w3n for him the admiration even Of
opponents. discusses the issues now ag!tating
tbs country. We again invite 10 both of these
letters the earnest attention Of the people.
SE1GA. FREDERICK Co, NA,l
November %, 1880.
NArr.s!EL TYLER, ESQ, Editor IF the EirA-
mcnd Enquirer:
DER SIu:-I received, by the last mail on
", YOUR letter of the 18th instant, and at once
realv. You ask for my opinions on the condi.
ton Of the country, and more especially in re.
gard to the expcdicncy ofthe call ofa Convention
OF the people OF Virginia, to consider what it
may becomc the State TO do, in the crisis which
Is upon US, AID with II view 10 thei. publica-
tion.
Whilst disinciined at all times 10 volunteer
my opinions, I have not the slightest indispoSi-
ton to express them, when they are asked
Should you think them worthy Of publication,
the uct is yours.
have observed, with great satisfaction, that
this Governor has called the Legislature to meet
at an early day, and, deeply impressed with the
disordcrcl condition Of the country, from
Causes "a. beyond the reach of Legislation, have
taken !; Tor granted, their first act will be TO
order elections for a general Convention Of the
STATE.
The questions now forced upon the country,
arc vital in their solution, TO the peace, the
honor, and the safety Of the Southern States.
Virginia, whether in Territory, in population,
or in position. certainly takes no inferior rank
in the South; and it is of the last importance
to her, as it IS TO them. that the matured sense
Of her people should be expressed in delibera.
ton on these grave questions; and, if necessary,
carried into execution, III the solemn forms Of
her sovereign authority.
AL that has happened aud much that has
yet TO come, was loreseen and predicted by
those not claiming to be wise beyond thcir
generation. as the legitimate and inevitable
fruits Of the ascendency Of the Abolition party
in the North. How could it be otherwise .
The ~elrcsion just over has established in the
seats Of Federal authority, and by overwhelm-
ing Inajor,ties in the non-slayeholding States, a
great political power, whose open and avow-
Cd mission is to break up and destroy interests
in property, and in society, and in all the slave.
holding States, which, when effected, must re-
ducc their lands to deserts, and throw their
people as outcasls upon the world. The pub
lie voice ordaining this a%trocious wrong comes
from a people who have no part or lot in the
great interest so recklcssly assailed, for it will
stand as a recorded fact that not a single Flee.
toral vote will be cast in support Of this power
IL nny State where this Interest pertains.
Who does noi see and feel then that when
the States OF the South are subjected 10 this
dominion they will be brought, against their
will, under a government to which they are not
parties. ind over which they hold not the
slightest check? This is not the form of gov
crnluent which cur ancestors gave us, nor Is it
o government which our people will endure
The people Of the North, in thus acting, have
separated ,henselvc from the people Of the
South, una The Government they thus inausu-
rate will he 10 Us The government of = foreign
power. We shall stand to such power as Italy
TO austria, and Poland 10 Russia. It will be
one pc"ple governed by another people. Who
can wonder, then. at the startling events which
have crowded before US since the unti-Erderu{
oct Of this Northern election.
What was seen yesterday, but in dim dis
lance, is the reality Of to-day. And that which
Is looked to but as a probability to-day, be.
comes the stern fact Of tomorrow. Our peo.
pic ct The South are intelligent. brave and sen.
si,ivc. When . hostile arm is raised against
them. they 10 not wait for the blow, but rush
d. once 10 disable tine adversary. And this is
what they arc doing now.
Let us rerioH events and then we may the
better understand what may devolre on Eir.
giria, in tho political exigencies Of the times.
The election Of President is made, and
nothing remains, bat formally to cast, and
then to count tine electoral vote. There are
those who believe, and I m one Of them, that
no safely remains to the Southern States and
their people, but such rs shall be indicated
BIZ u Stern purpose Of self protection. The
event tia, fixes this belief Is not the election