The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-12-14
sECESSiON MOVEMENT AT THE SOUTH.
Letter from EX.Gov. Wise-"FightiDg in
the eunion"-The Resignation of Sc ,retary
Cobb, &c, &c
POSITION OF Ex- GOV. WISE.

1 S~pos 6C's &c
POSITION OF Ex-Go WISE.
Ex-Gov. WISE of Va, having been written
TO oy gentleman of Columbus, Ga, to define
what he means by fighting in the Union, re.
plies as follows:
hoLLfsToN near Norfolk, Va,
Decem Der l., 1860
DEAR SIR: Yours OF the 22d nit was late
colning 10 hand. l now thank you for it. As
is one of true policy
lst: Ii sovereign State is Judge of the in
fraction as well as OF the mode and measure OF
redress, she may remain in the Union 10 re-
sent or resist wrongs well as do SO out OF
the Union. Nv ~ 0A' -
"a. II other States have infracted the Union,
not she, the State wronged is bound to detepC
tne Constitution and Uniou against tbosa who
have intracted the one aud threatened the
otner Logically the Union belongs to those
whe nave kept. not to those who have broken
lIs covenants.
I'd. The Union is not an apstrac ton it is a
real, subs tan tIal thing EN- bI acing MANY essen
tiai ana vital political rights aud properties.
mas naftondttty, lands, treasury, orsantzatson
oFnty, nary, Ships, dock yards, arSsnaiS, &c,
&c, &C Shdll We renounCe these rights ana
possessions because wrong -doers attempt to
deprive us OF other rights Is it not cowardly
W TeHounce one right 10 save another Are
tnese rights not precious as the mere righl
OF property in negroes But
4tn II you secede, you not only renouuce
Tue Union ana Its professions, but you fail To
unite your own people, because You do re-
houhCe LneSe rights. Wake man up TO ue-
stroy the Union and Constitution and he
VIII stare al you and turn away But tell
uin tnat the Constitution is intracted and the
Union threatened by Black Republicans, auo
cail INN To aid you III defending both against
tnese no would destroy both and he Will act
heartily with you.
5th. Then how is this to be done! The Sd
clause OF the 10th Sec non of Tue Ist Art of tn.
- Tnd StQfa
otate W Keep troops aud ships Of war in time
o1 peace, ana TO engage in war; W hen actually
III fdueu, OF When IN such imm inent danger as
VIII not admit of delay Now are We not ac-
tuaily invaded Is our danger not immI-
nent ! Does II admit OF delay! May not a
sovereign Sta SO decide
Oth. And what is the differencei Will it
not oe revolution and war III either eyentB
say, then, stick to all your rights reuounce
none, hight Tor ali and save all!
Yours truly, &c., HENRY A. WISE
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN SECRETARY COBB
AND THE PRESIDENT.
Inc following is Secretary Cobb's letter ten
derlng his resignation, and the Presidents
reply:
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. s.
ny Dear Sir: A sense OF duty to the State
OF Georgia requires me to take a step which
makes II proper that / should no longer con-
UNI ne TO be member Of your Cabinet
In tne troubles OF the country consequent
upon the late Presidential election the honor
and safely of my State are involved Her peo-
pie so regard ii, and in their opinion L fully
concur Vhey are engaged in a struggle where
the issue is life or death. My friends ask for
nay views and counsel. Not TO respond would
De degrading to self and unjust TO them. |
nave accordingly prepared, and must now is
sue to them, an address which contains the
calm and solemn convictions of my heart and
judgment.
The views which sincerely entertain, and
winch, therefore, l am bound to express differ
In some respects from your own. The exist
ence OF THIS difference would expose me- if
shouio remain IN my present place, to unjust
suspicious, and put you in a false position
Inc nrst OF these consequences l could bear
well enough, but will not ubject you to the
last.
My withdrawal has not been occasioned by
any thing You have said or done. Whilst diff
ferlng from your Message upon some of It's
theoretlcaI doctrines, as we'll as from the hope
SO earnestly EXPRESSED that the Union can yet
De preserved, there was no practical result
likely to follow which required me to retire
from your administration. That necessity is
created by what L feel it my duly to do
aud the responsibility Of the act therefore
rests alone upon myself.
To say thai regret-deeply regret-thi. ne
cessity, but ieebly expresses the feeling with
which pen this communication. For nearly
four years L have been associated with Won as
one OF your Cabinet officers, and during that
period nothing has occurred to mar even fora
moment our personal and official relations
In the policy ana measures OF your admins
lration nave cordially concurred, and shall
ever feel proud of the humble place which nv
name may occupy in its history. Ifyour wise
counseis and patriotic warnings had been
needed by your countrymen, the fourth OF
March next would have found our country
happy. prosperous and united That il will
not be 80, Is no fault of yours.
The evil has now passed beyond control and
must be met by each and ali or US under our
responsibility 10 God and our country If as
as believe, history Will have TO record YOURS
as the last administration of our present
Union, it will also place il side by side with
the puTest and ablest OF those that preceded it,
WIN the kIndest regards tor yourself and
the members of your Cabinet, W tn whom l
nave oeen so PLEASANTLY associated, am most
truly aud sincerely your friend
HOWELL COBB.