Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-11-30
THE TRUE POSITION OF VIRGINIA.

n II
for some exposition of your views Of her true position and
policy amid the perils by which she is now surrounded
Whilst other journals have been eKerng all their inhu
ence to ndoctrinate the public mind with extreme soun
ern IDEAS to prepare the hearts OF the people or Sc
cession and disunon YOU have remained comparatively
Inactive Withou. questioning for moment the purity
and patriotism Of your motives hope you VIII Parooh
me for saving that in this particular think you have
erred Il seems to me the time has come, when every
man should express his sentiments frankly and distinct
w. in the hope that from the general stock OF iniorna
lion thus Afforded wise and benehoient conclusions may
be deduced.
Acting on this view of the subject, venture to offer
10 the public some suggestions as to the course when
Virginia should adopt in the present alarming crisis Oh
public affairs
From present Indications think it may be fairly as
sumed that South Carolina will the bonds which
now bind her 20 the Union. Whether other States Will
follow her rash and illadvised example, cannot say,
though must confess my fears prepondera.e over my
hopes.
do, Snail she follow the lead of South Carolina, or
make her stand for right and justice in the Union!
do not propose to argue the question Of the Cons'i-
tu,ional right Of State 10 withdraw IRON the Coincide
racy While have very decided opinions that sab
iect which accord with those promulgated through the
columns Of the Eoquirer in 1874 when the New England
States threatened 70 secede know that the present is
not a suitable time to discuss such propositions. Men
will not stop TO examine constitutional questions when
their passions tAClteu AHol AoOA W "HS"
they are seeking attan without much scrupe as to the
means by which il is to be accomplished.
Waving therefore, this discussion, "a inopportune be-
cause certain be unheeded let US examine the subject
in its practical bearings and results upon the welfare Of
Virginia.
No one is more deeply impressed than l am with q
sense Of the wrongs and injustice which have been per-
pstrated by tue North upon the South As between in
dependent nations lighter have often led TO war
The virtual notification Of the fugitive slave law the re-
fusa Of Governors Of Northern States TO surrender iug
tiyes from Justice the unfendy legislation Of some OF
the free States the wanton malgnity displayed by por
ton Of the Northern press aud pulpit and Northern pop
ur assembages towards the Institutions aud the people
of the South are well calculated 20 awaken feelings OF
resentment aud to Justify energetic efforts TO obtain
dress % this point there no differences of opinion
in the South The only question which can divide Us, is
as 70 the best OF asserting aud securing our rights
Whether it can best be done in or out Of the Uniong
am one Of those who think that the great system OF
government beQuea'hed to by fathers, has not
vet proved failure; and therefore, not yet for
Abandoning it and embarking the trackess sea Of
fancul experiment. believe it TO be wiser and bet
ter system than any that could be patched up by the
of modern times believe that Washington aud Aad-
son aud Hamilton and jay and Franklin and their com
patriots were wiser and better than those who
would now be called 10 tinker with their handwork.-
Moreover believe that the circumstances under which
they we're called together TO frame the Federal Constu
ton were peculiarly auSpiciou for the successful
party proudces and local jeaouses TO disturb their
eouanimity and hence the noble which they
erected is founded on principles OF perfect justice, and
il symmetrical in all It's proportions Could the same
men be recalled to life now, verify believe that amidst
the agiatons and e1ctements Of the present day they
could not perform their task, by any means, wisely
and we'll With these convictions strongly pressing
my mind disposed to ponder long before give my
consent 70 surrender the Constitution and the Union
which have been educated 10 believe were the surest
NJ Hhartv and individual UrOsDarty
and happiness.
With these general observations proceed to enquire
what are the sources Of the grievances Of which
complain, aud how far would disruption Of the Uuion
prove an elficicious remedy for them!
The first thing that strikes the mind OF the candid
observer it, that not Of the wrongs and injuries Of
which we complain has been inflicted by the Federal
as,hority | sm not aware that it has even been al
legged in any quarter, that the Congress- the Executive,
or the Judiciary Of the United States have ever in any
instance been guilty Of any act OF aggression H.
rights Of the South On the contrary il must be admit
ted tina. Congress has exercised It's full constitutional
power in the passage OF bill framed by Southern men,
ia accoriance with Southern sentiment for the rend
ton o. fugvcs from labor; and the Executive and Jl
dietary departments OF the Federal Government have
faithfully discharged their whole duty in It's execution.
If the Missouri Compromise was a wrong to the South
(which deuy) il one proposed by the South, and
enacted by Southern votes; and at the suggestion Of
INC South il has been repealed II the insertion of the
MmUt PrOVlsO IN the oregon OIL was an OPPRESSION
was voted for by Southern men, and sanctioned by
Southern President And so it has been wish the COM
promises Of 1850 and all other measures Of which the
most sensitive Southern complain. They have
been passed by the aid OF Southern votes and With the
scauiescencc Of the Southern people.
Even the election Of NJ. Lincoln to the Presidency,
which has jU y excited such deep feeling throughout
the South IS not the result Of any defect in the struc
tire OF political system, OF ITS want OF adaptation
10 perform It's appropriate functions On the contrary
il is the act of he people in their primary capacity and
If fault be found t must be found with the people, and
not with he goverusat-fOr the sin their door
When We pronounce Judgment OF condemnation against
tie people, We pronounce sentence, at the same ume
sranst republican Institutions and denv the capacity ~
he psople for Sc Egyrerment Acknowledge that the
neonle have committed great in the election OF
Mr. Lincoln but am not willing, in consequence of oue
error committed by the people, TO surrender the whole
system Of popular government Would 1t no. be well
70 enquire II the people Of the present confederacy have
strayed from the path OF wisdom aud Justice what guar
antee have that the people Of any other cOniedera
cy which we may hereafter form, Of any individual
Safe, may not be guilty Of similar aberrationss
All the practical grievances OF which complain, are
the acts Of State authorities the citizens Of States and
in regard matters which tue general government
has but limited jurisdiction Il any, aud for which il is
not Justly responsible The laws nullilSing impeding
the execution cl'the fugitive slave law were passed by
State Legislatures. Neither Congress the Executive
of the United States have any jurisdiction them
But the United States Judiciary has and / venture 10
affirm that whenever shall be made for the judi
cal determination Of the validity iuvadty OF any or
all of these laws they will be decided by the unanimous
judgment Of the Supreme Court TO be unconstitutional,
null and void
am not aware Of any remedy against the Governor Of
State for bis failure to fulfil his constitutional obliga-
tons in regard 10 the e1rdditon Of ugtives from jus
ce except impeachment by the proper authorities Of
his own State. Il is one Of those cases. nvov-
ing 80 deep degree OF depraviy not to have been
oeseen and provided for 10 federal compact And
il NAV be added that il presents questions Of so much
docscy and difficulty that doubt If any efficient rem
edy would be adopted for similar in any future
confederation.
The only eicacious means Of meeting and redressng
wrongs committed by State upon another is by
ervaing legislation. dissolution Of the Union would
aggravate rather than the evil IL would deprive
rs Of the partial aud in most cases complete Of
redress which have under the Constitution ard leave
us without any, except appeal to Moreover,
it would nhict blow on friends quite
We would wish to infct on enemies, and would en-
tail evils ourselves much greater than hosefo which
| We sought redress
maintain therefore, that for all injustice done US by
the constituted authorities Of sister States most
appropriate and available remedy IS to be found in The
| Union aud ,nider ne Constitution
We can uuirendly legislation by retsatory laws.
IfsNorthein States deny the OF their and
officers justice 10 enforce rights in their limits
can deny them the OF II they coufscate
property can conscae tber II they are 10; willing
that our property should be carried within their borders
whea their minuiaetures &c. brought within our
territorial limits, tax them in such a way e.
iec,ualy to prevent them from being brought amongst
US Sringest measures fths kind will soon bring them
to their senses and the growth of healthf
state Of public sentiment
Hitherto the Federal Government has | maintain been
gutess of any aggression Southern rights The cleo