Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-12-11
AitRmonb enquirer.
TUESDAY Evening, DECEMBER IL.
State Convention-Letter from Gen. WIN
II. Hnrman.
nv TYLER, WISE & ALLEGRE.

We surrender cur editorial column, this
morning to the publication Of letter IRON
Gen. VIM. II. Harman, of Stauntoa, late Doug
las elector at large.
This is tho sixth reply favorable to & Con-
pention that we have received and not one oi
these six leading gentlemen TO whom We ad-
dressed OUT letter has disagreed with US in the
great and urgent necessity that now exists Tor
the speedy assembling Of a State Convention.
We shall publish, in few days, the letter
Of tho Hon. r. NJ. r. Hunter, to the people OF
Essex County, to which We have been referred
by him. Professional engagements have SO
far postponed the replies Of the Hon. Geo w.
Summers, and Joseph Christian, Esq.
STAuSroy, December 9, 1860.
Nat. Tyler, ESQ,
Nv Dear Sir-Your favor of the 18th utimo
was received just one week since; and l have
been prevented, by unavoidable circumstances,
from answering it sooner.
The matters suggested in your letter, and in
reference to which you ask my VIEWS, are OF
very grave Importance, and | venture an opin-
icn upon them with unfeigned difidence,
In the present gloomy aspect Of public al-
fairs, | regard it as very unfortunate that pri-
mary meetings have been called to give express
sion 10 public opinion. We are not sufficiently
informed as to the determination of the more
Southern States in the present contingency. or
the proposed action Of the Black Republican
| rarty, TO enable us to take DEFINITE action in
J h1uvnc nf thp DeOnlp
The conservatism OF Virginia must he con.
| cedcl by al! sections. Her devotion to the
Union and Constitution, us framed by the "Fa-
thors of the Republic" are equally well known.
The tone and temper Of primary meetings
will bs, and probably have been, misconstrued
in both sections; and until after the meeting OF
the Legislature, sincerely trust no more will
be held.
It is unqnr.t;onably true, that when the po-
si.ion OF Virginia is once taken, her people
will be unit. sin veal or in wee, every good
citizen of our ancient Commonwealth must and
will Weld his private sentiments and stand by
the action of the STATE after il has been deter
mined upon.
am firmly impressed with the belief that,
great as our grievances are (and no man re-
yards them Us greater than do,) We have 8
better remedy for them in The Union than out
OF il, Many gentlemen, TO whom | have been
accustomed TO look with great respect, enter.
tain opinions from which am constrained 10
| differ. But, in times So extraordinary and
alarming US these upon which we have fallen,
do not think any citizen would be- excusabe
even, in allowing himself TO be governed by
the upinons of others, until action has been
taken by the representatives Of the whole peo-
pie
Then. without reference to the views Of 9th
cry or presuming in any wise to speak for any
party or person other than myself, would re.
commend:
lst That the public mind should not, for
the present, be further agiated by the holding
of county meetings.
cd. That we should crdeavor 10 induce our
people TRANQUILITY TO await the action Of the
| Legislature, shortly ~ assemble; and, in the
mean time, 10 abstain ir>m the expression OF
extreme opinions, for 0: against the Union,
which would be calculated 10 impair the indu.
ence of Virginia in this crisis, if not, by show
ing division amongss her people, entirely to
destroy it.
3D. That the Legislature, hJ and with the
aid Of the Executive, should promptly and
earnestly cndcayor TO right our wrongs an the
Union, and, b. friendly counsel and mediation
with our asgreved sister States Of the South.
to induce them 10 unit, with us in another ei'
fort tp preserve this government, which has
been well characterized rs "the best hope OF
the Old, as well as the New World"
4th Should the legislature be unable to
devise mode by which we can preserve our
State sovereignty and individual rights in the
Unon then, in my opinion, it should appeal
to the Original fountain Of all power, The
people, by whose representatives, in convention
assembled, this mo,n:ntons question shall be
definitely settled.
For the present, / think, the people should
abstain from the agitation Of the question o
the proprir,y of holding National Conren
tion Of nil the States or a Convention OF thu
Southern States
have not undertaken TO elaborate any view,
for the obvious reason, it would be trespassing
too much upon your patience.
Ia the sincere hope and belief that the peo
pic of Virginia, without distinction Of party OIL
creed, may be "one and |indlvsible' in this
great crisis, an,
Hastily, but truly, &c,
| WM. IL HARMAN.