Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-04
,Du. until the time Of taking the next census when new

tnue until the time Of taking the next census when new
appordonment will be made.
When the Secretary Of the interior shall have apporon
cd the Representatives above be shall soon as prac
cable make out and transmit under the sel OF his cice
to the House of Representatives acert6cAle Of the mum
Der Of members apportiOned to each State; and shall
likewise make out aud transmit without delay, to the e1
ecutiye Of each State certificate under bis seal ct Office
of the number of members appointed to each State
Position of the Conservatives of Alabama
The following letter from Huntsville, Alabama, sign
ed BY Phillip WoodSon, Jere Clemens w. B. Figures, Mich
Davis and other prominent gentlemen Of North Alaba
ma supporters of Douglas and Of Bell in the late cleo
ton The circular expresses the views Of the most mode
rate men of Alabama, in the present crisis;
The undersigned believing that majority Of the peo
pie of Alabama unwilling to submit 70 the rule of
Black Republican President and having no inclination
oppose the fairly expressed will OF msJoy respect
fully submit for your consideration the following plan to
be adopted aud carried out in the election OF Delegates
20 the Convention which is about TO be called by the
Governor
First the withdrawal of opposition upon the abstract
question Of secession.
Secondly. Giving up for the present our individual
opinions the proprey improperly OF secession
for existing causes and consentng to 20 with the ma
iorty vet we insist upon the adoption of such
as will render resistance eectua To this end, let can
didaes be nominated for the Convention who will de-
mand conference Of all the Southern States before any
act Of secession is consummated.
If our position is just il will bear argument and ex-
animation. IL il is not just ought TO be abandoned
Besides is due TO Southern sister States that we
should take steps vitality affecting their interests with
out consultation with them. Any other course would
manifest want of respect for their opinions and dis
regard of their rights well calculated to convert them n
to active enemies. On the oher hand the mere fact Of
asking their cooperation implies respect and affection,
aud il fail ~ persuade them to 60 with US we shall at
least have their sympathy and be certain not to incur
their hostility.
The secession of few States without preconcert and
without taking steps TO insure the of the
tire South is but to invite all the horrors Of civil war
Claiming be ready to resist oppression, or degrade
ton the most spirited of the party to which We lately
stood opposed nevertheless opposed TO the rash
and desperate experiment, of precpating other States
into revolution against their wishes They have right
to be consulted before hand and it is unsafe TO assume
that they will look without resentment upon any move
ment which may be made in utter disregard OF their
opinions. They may have plans to propose which will
be satisfactory TO US In any event It Is their right to
be heard If fail to agree we are in no worse condi-
ton than we now are. II agree We shall have pow
eru au1aries through whose cooperation alone Peaesd-
bic secession is possibility.
s not the purpose of this letter to elaborate the ar
gument in favor of the plan propose. It's purpose is
to secure perfect unity in State, and after that
the union Of the South We say the Breckenridge men
we will go with you in resisting the rrepressibe con-
ict" but desire to go prudenty and cautiously as
well as firmly We wish gain all the friends can,
and make of all the in reach Surren-
dering our own judgement 10 Difference TO the majority
we sre ready to brave the which come aud
" insist Upon the exercise Of little common sense in
preparing for the contest.
We cannot doubt that a majority, if not all, Of our
Breckenridge friends will accede TO this request aud that
Alabama will thus, be enabled TO present undivided
front
Very truly and respectfully,
Your FeloW-citzens,
PHILIP WooDsoS,
JERE CLEMENS,
W. B. FIGUREs, &c.