New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-15
VIRGINIA HERSELF AGAIN.

The following resolutions passed by the Virginia
Legislature, after the question of Mr.. Memminger's
mission had been fully considered by that body,
may be considered to end the whole subject OF
Southern Convention on the present occasion:
Re,Ored That in the opinion of the General Assembly II
peIPedent appoint deputies to the conference proposed
RssOped That the Governor Of this Commonwealth be
quesed the foregoing resolutions to the ove
OF the Slaveholding States"
The Richmond Enquirer entered into Mr. Mem
minger's programme with all the zeal OF the Wise
family, and added to it's other considerations that
peculiar Southern clincher that the safety of the
Union depended holding the proposed Conven-
ton. But it would not do. The Legislature we
have no doubt took our advice, and followed the
recommendation of Dir. Barbour Of Culpepper and
bolted The Enquirer's track. II would not be per-
suaded, and it refused to be frightened, into en-
barking in the South Carolina project of Dis
union Convention.
We may say, therefore, that Notwithstanding
John Brown, and Notwithstanding Gov. Wise's
prodgous demonstrations in consequence thereof,
and notwithstanding Mr.. Memmnger's mission,
and Gov Letchers message, and the backing Of
them by The Richmond Enquirer, that Virginia is
herself again The whole furry is over and the
waters of agitation have subsidized in the Old Do
minion. We trust now that the impetuous spirits
of Virginia and the entire South, having witnessed
this collapse of their first attempt to do something
dreadful on the spur Of the John Brown inroad,
and having witnessed the peaceable triumph of the
Republicans in the organization of the House of
Representatives in Washington, that they may be-
take themselves to some profitable reflections. A
great and systematic attempt has been made to do
something striking or alarming in South Carolina,
in Virginia, and in Washington. Yet nothing has
been done. The effort has broken down, and no
results are left The storm was raised the winds
have blown, but there is not a wreck to be seen
anywhere ashore. All is safe, snug, aud tranquil.
We are as we were. Virginia has subsidized, the
South Carolina ambassador has gone home, discord
has ceased at the Federal capital, and Congress
has gone to work.
The lessOn hereby taught is a significant one.
Not only has the stability of public sentiment been
mistaken by all the demon tratons made, but the
sober common sense Of Virginia stands firm. The
legislative body of that State has refused to commit
any foles The only ridicule which attaches to
Virginia is the result of the knighterrantry of her
fussy ex Governor. Let US hope that even that
will be speedily forgotten. The action of the
Legislature of that State discloses the fact that
the border Slave States will not, and cannot,
in the menacng movements of the Slave States
further South now or at any time. The debates in
the Virginia Legislature on this proposition ofSOuth
Carolina, aud of Gov. Letcher himself, to hold
Disunion Convention OF the Slave States,
show this plainly enough. Members of that body
planted themselves, in debate, distinctly on the
ground that in the event of difficulty or disturb
ance between the Free and Slave States, the border
Slave States would have TO bear the brunt Of the
difficulty, and they should therefore have nothing
whatever to do with fomenting anything OF the
sort. We all know that this is a sensible concla-
sion, and that every body viewing the subject dis
passionately must see the wisdom OF it. 1t is emil
nently satisfactory to know, however, that the peo
pie on the spot zee the subject in the same light
that others view it. We are glad to know that
reason regns on the scene Of agitation, and not folly
and passion.
As il is with Virginia. 80 is it with Maryland,
with Kentucky, with Delaware, with Missouri, with
Tennessee, and with North Carolina, and with most
Of them in a much more eminent degree. When
we hear talk of the secession of the Slave States,
when We contemplate any threatened separation of
the holding communities therefore, the States
which We have named must be counted out at the
start They viii not, and they cannot, fiom position,
instigate or encourage or countenance directly or
indirectly any Of the mischief making propositions
with which Southern fre-eaters are wont to dis
turb our politics. And this is the lesson which,
above al others, is taught by the action Of Virginia
on MI Meuminger's mission. The only disturbing,