Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-12-31
Correspondence of the y. Y. World.
From Virginia.
RICHMOND, VA, Dec. &c

DEMOCRATIC ELECTOR ON THE CRISIS.
had long interview last evening with a
distinguished gentleman OF the trans-Allegha-
ny region of Virginia, who served as demo
cratic elector in the late presidential canvass,
and, much to my surprise, he represented his
section of the state as utterly opposed to seces.
sion de ayowed himself a strong Union
mana strange circumstance in view of the
influence which led to his appointment to the
electorShip. He was chosen through the agen
cy of Gov Wise's friends, because of his Pc
culiar zeal in behalf of that gentleman. lie
expressed the fullest assurance that the tone of
the state convention which will assemble in
Virginia will be eminently conservative, so far
as his section of the state can affect it. He
was sure that in no event would the people of
western Virginia consent to a union with the
cotton states. If forced into secession, they
prefer to form central contederacy, to be com
posed or the border SaYe states, with such of
the tree states as would choose to Join in. He
stated that most of Governor Wise's best
friends favor that policy, and even this will
be the last resort with them, their
great object being to secure continuance of
the present union by every means in their
power The prevalence of this sentiment in
the west torebodes a far better result in the
state than had anticipated. 1t indicates that
the union sentiment predominates in Virginia
and if faithfully reflected in the convention, a
triumph Tor the cause OF conservatism and
union is certain to follow. Governor Letcher,
has, no doubt, fully canvassed the public SEN
tlment of the state, and is taking strong con-
sentative grounds in his message as he is re.
ported to have done, he is acting in full view
of the popular preferences of Virginia.
THE SECESSION OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
To person living beyond the limits OF Vir-
ginia, the Indifference with which the passage
| . l. n
is regarded, would be incredible. Hopes that
she would never return were the chief senti-
ments given utterance to upon the announce
ment OF the event Whatever enthusiasm
excited was but of very short duration
Even those who INDUCED this feeling disap.
prove of her precipatancy for whatever of
disunnlon sentiment prevails in Virginia it
differs materially in degree from that en-
tanned further south Separate state action
is utterly condemned even by the secession
element. United action is the predominant
sentiment with the most rabid utraistS and
this policy is identified, however remotely,
with the hope of possible success in the sphere
Of negotiation. SO that, with even the seces
sionists, Cancellation is esteemed paramount :;
and they favor co operation because it offers
some hope of such result The example Of
South Cardinals action brings no detriment to
the cause OF conservatism and union. Her
secession was regarded as foregone result
! The only regret is that it did not take place
sooner, so that a sufficient interval would be
left between that act and the meeting of the
other state conventions to afford time to test
this experiment of state independence. The
result, it is firmly believed, would serve as
uselu. admonition to the other seeding states,
and warn them in time against a step which
can only involve embarrassment and ultimate
ruin. If no collision takes place between
South Carolina and the general government,
venture to predict that within six months
from this time that state will stand alone in
her contumacy, no matter what revolutions
may transpire within that period.
THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA INCREDULouS
ABOUT DIsUNIoN.
From all | can asce tain, the great bulk of
the people Of Virginia are incredulous upon
the subject Of disunion. They do not believe
it can happen and | can observe that this in
credulity is begetting degree of confidence
in the stability Of the Union, which, by the
by, will operate mighty bulwark against
the assaults OF its enemies. Those, however,
who are thus affected, avow their purpose to
maintain thoir rights by every means which
the constitution will justify. Retaliation, re-
prisal, everything, in fact, but disuuion, will
be resorted to, to secure southern rights. The
legislative capacity Of southern law makers
| will be taxed to its utmost to devise some ade.
quate measure of commercial non-intercourse
with the North. Newspapers unfriendly to
the South will be excluded, and their patrons
ostracised by IA system of strict discrimination
in matters of trade, so long as commercial in
tercourso shall be maintained with the North.
All this, and much more, will be resorted to,
but disunion will not happen. This is the
well settled conviction Of many of our most
| prominent men, who deem the course of the
North sufficient almost to justify dsunion