Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-12-25

; OF treason in the Constitution they would be
compelled to admit that the raising Of troops,
with the avowal that they were 10 be raised
against the United States, would be "levying
war against the United States. and IN over,
act OF treason before gun was fired.
But between States declaration Of war is
war, and is therefore IN overt act And when,
then, OUR enemies have, in every form at their
command, declared war against us, and finally
selected their commander-n- chief because he
approves the declaration; and the Lieutenant
! General under him has, as am told, actually
furnished a plan of the campaign in the South,
and the Secretary of State has resigned because
preparation for the war is not now made, shall
we say that there has been no overt act, and
quietly wait until the plans Of our enemies
have been fully consumnated, their resolves
lnatured into laws, anu their army actually IN
the field to enforce them, before wc, the South.
ern States, place ourselves in condition to meet,
anticipate and repcl their blows: Shall we sit
down and take no adequate step to protect our
people and defend our homes, until the army
and the navy, which are paid by us, and the
Treasury, which is filled by us, are in the
hands Of otir enemies, to be used against us:
When information is given that the slaves in
do the people wait until the insurrecton is in
full blast, and the assassnations have COM
mcnced, before they take any step to prevent
| it? When France arms at Cherbourg, does
England take no notice Of it, or docs she not at
once strengthen all her defcnces!
Do not our enemies counsccl the President
to increase his de(cnccs in anticipation Of dill
Guilty. Does not the Lieutenant General offer
q plan Of military operations against us and
why a.? Not simply because he hates the South,
but because as a skil(ul and experienced SOL
dicr. he knows the Importance Of preparing
for and anticipating his foe Will the people
Of the South then shut both eyes and cars to
all the teachings Of history; to the very lessons
of their enemy; to all the instincts Of selr.de.
fence, and remain under hostile government
until it is prepared with the double armor Of
Law and force to assail it? Will they continue
to rcpcnish the treasury, which is TO feed the
army and navy which arc to fight against them,
and subdue them il possible, TO obedience 10
their foes, and the spoil and pilagc Of their
property?
earnestly hope not. They owe it to them
selves, their institutions, their homes and their
families, to place themselves at once in an at
titude Of defence and protection, and this they
can do only by seeding before the 18th Of March
next But it is said that we must wait for an
overt act from Lincoln. This is mere nom
sense, and those who urge it stultify themselves.
An overt act by Lincoln! What can Lincoln
do? Nothing but execute the will Of his mas
terS The overt act, if it has not yet occurred,
must come from them. And what can they
do more than they have done, except by act of
Congress to enforce what by State laws, mob
laws, by cmigrant aid societies, and by bullet
and blood, they have already done; and If you
will not regard these as overt acts, when COM
mitted by the principals, the non slaveholding
States, how shall you so regard them when
done by their agents in Congress?
But the overt act has been committed by the
agents, as well as the principals; for both have
denied your rights in the Territories and re-
fused to protect them; and while they may
bring what they please into your country, you
are not permitted to travel even in theirs with
your servant though its care may be necessary
TO sick wife or child. What overt act can
they commit which will Justify resistance =
Will it be the Wilmot Provso? You know
they will pass it, because the lower
House has already passed it. as 10 New
| Mexico, and it was defeated in the
Senate where it can never be defeated
again-and if passed, what shall we do-go
into New Mexico anil re-cnact the scenes o!
Kansas, and probably bring on a general war,
or sccedc? The first, all patriots, and all lovers
Of peace should desire to avoid, and the last
will be us unconstitutional then as now, and
then you will have the Government army in
the field to fight you:
But enough for the present will resume the
subject on another day, with your leave.
| NIRGINIES