Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-22

Know
caimnsss must be restored before can act wisely
either in pulling down building up. Let everything
Ia done deliberately and with dignity becoming the
State Virginia must not be preciptated into error
which can never be recalled There is no need OF rail-
road haste nor are we either to be pushed terrified
into indscreons by the pressure around Let us do no
act which we are not willing subject to the review OF
the enlightened Judgment of mankind, upon which we
may not look back ourselves with appreciation.
do not believe that the difficulties by which We are
surrounded are insuperable am not willing to admit
that there is not enough of good and OF patriotism
in the land grappe with and overcome any danger
which NAV threaten u.s. when brought together in full
view of those dangers The storm has now reached Its
height All can the mischief it has power to
effect unless allayed. That portion Of the Northern
people, who have been instruments in the hands o
Northern politicians in bringing about this state Of
things heve been hitherto incredulous to the dsur
blnce which their criminal well calculated
to produce The present attitude Of public affairs fnan
cal commercial and POLITICAL is demonstration OF con
sequences from which there is no appeal.
Congress may not be able to agree upon any adjust
ment 1t would be rather matter Of surprise if it did
Politicians long arrayed in hostility, like rival combatants
in the ring rarely give to each other Aspirans tc
office and power and whose chief element OF success In
many instances has been agitation are too much indeo
ed TO the causes of present troubles to warrant Us
in looking to them for the restoration of public tran
guilty. The time has arrived when the people, who
make and unmake politicians must take their safety into
their own hands.
The public peace and the continuance of the national
Union requires that all the vexed questions growing out
of the institution of slavery should be settled
permanent basis The repeal of all statutes, now in
force in any of the Northern States having for their
purpose or effect 10 delay, impede or nuiy the Fugi-
tive Slave Law, should be 6rmly demanded, with the
fair understanding that if such unriendy and uncon-
sttutonal legislation be not abrogated within
bic time that the slaveholdng States would be compelled
TO regard such failure evencing deliberate purpose
to disregard the most solemn constitutional obligation
warantiug the termination Of any further connection
with such offending States
The equal rights of all the States, in the territories
belonging the United States, comprehendng the right
to migrate thereto with any species of property recog
nized as such in the State from which such property is
carried and to enjoy the same without diminution or
moestation while the territorial condition continues,
or Just equitable partition Of such territories should
be insisted and provided for by an amendment OF the
constitution.
should like to see amendment, requiring tina. the
President and Vice President be taken from different
sections and that electors be chosen by districts Esead
of by the vote of the whole State. Such amendment
would prevent the reoecurrence OF what took place in
the late election.
take it for granted that the present Legislature
vened as it has been by the Governor with special
ference to the existing state Of public affairs will feel it.
self compelled 10 adopt of some kind, which
snail enable Virginia define her position and declare
her wishes and preferences TO her sister States What
plan of action would be most avisabe, those TO whom
the subject is entrusted will be best able determine
upon consultation and in view of the whole field, it
may appear at the time should certainly not venture
express opinion 10 that regard but for your urgent
solicitation that | should do so.
Various modes of procedure have been recommended.
Some prefer general Convention of all the States, to
amend the Constitution To my mind this is dagger
Gus expedeut 1t would bring the whole instrument I'M
der review and subject it, in all its part 10 attack and
change | confess do not feel wiling if it can be
avoided submit the work OF our fathers TO the tin
kerng proclives and prevalent radcasm OF the pres
ent generation Il would be better, think, 10 attempt
specific amendments in the mode appointed by the Con-
stiuton Il is in this form only that amendments have
heretofore been adopted being twelve in number from
1889 to 1901
What then would be the best mode of deyisiug and
agreeing upon the necessary amendments, so as more
certainly embrace the msCbiefs intended to be rene
dies and az the same time be likely to be adopted
by he requisite number Of States
Toe separate action of the slave States, each in
venton Of its own without the benefit of joint debera
tion and discussion, would probably result in divers
schemes each ngec more or less with the pecuaiiiies
of the particular State from which it might emauae.-
Amendments are be proposed through Congress- two
thirds of both Houses conruriug. Now il would not be
so probable that the Constitutional vote in Congress
necessary propcuud the amendments could be obtain
where the amendments and perhaps in
ACRE upon in preliminary conference OF States
convention or conference Of all the slave States
would not be obnoxious 20 This objection. The propo
tons of such a conference might possibly rot meet so
ready acceptance being the result Of IL sectional Coz
.idera ion onv OF the subjects discussed and might be
attended with the dangers of an dtimd'ua.
IT, unfortunately, Congress shall be unable to agree
upon plan of ADJUSTMENT | should have objection 10
mixed conference Of the border States each side the
line being those States more directly ard Immediately
interested in the questions which have brought about the
present Alarming crisis There could be iuputi
ton of concession on the part of the border slave States
goag conference with thl border free States than
there would be all the slave States went into general
convention with al the free Statcs TGere could not pos
sipy be any sUeh IN either sectional quarrel ex
ISIS The object 10 aay it, and to prevent its
renee. How is this likely 10 be- accomplished as by
the agency OF the States having the most concern in the
matter!
Let Delaware, Maryland, Virgins, North Carolna,
Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri with Pennsylvania
New jersey. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa send Com
mssoners three more, TO meet at Frankfort or Lex
ingon there 10 confer and deliberate together upon the
best of restoring national harmony and securing
all the rights OF the South.
These are the central States OF the Union They
the territory divided by the slave line. Practically, they
have abiding neros! in all the questions con-
nected wiki slavery than all the other States together
IL is from the borGcrsave States that ;enths of all
the slaves who escape take their departure. 1t is in the
bOrderfree States they seek safety These, two, the
slave States which chiefly interested in migration TO
the territories 1t is aoFg this line that feuds and hos
tlity most likely to be engendered while remain
together and these States must be maay the theatre Ct
war and violence should war ana violence follow dsuuon
Now if these States thus situated aud thus Interested,
should be able to devise and agree upon proper RENE
dy for the evils which upon US surely, the more dis
ant aad less interested States upon the gulf and those
Of New England might reasonably be expected 10 ac-
NJ, a.,lt taa Con ntll
well trust the consideration Of tcutes 10 the Dor
dsrslaveholdug ates With entire confidence that moth
ing would be coGcuTed IL, recommended by them,
which could effect urously the rghts, the honor
tn equality Of the States The Northern States would
have the just of reliance that the great
trail nousavehod;ng States thus called into conference
would approve OF which their constitutional
obligations and the duties Of patriotism could not endorse
aud accept.
There is very great reason believe that the Difficult
ties Of present position submitted TO the umpirage
Of this great central Conferences, would find dy and
happy solution These States when brought together,
would strike hands friends and proceed at to
move every impeachment TO the complete restoration o;
fr.ternal relations The more Northern States, now
standing points Of etiquette and hesilatng to yield
lest loo said they yield to threats would gladly hail the
award OF this Conference as a relief. The Southern
States which may, in Tue mean time, have seeded
would return to the old family roof and We should all
feel something of that JOY which reconciliation instils,
after anger aud arrangement.
The result of the deliberations of this Conference so
far as prope, to ASSUME that form of adoption should be
embodied in tie shape of amendments the Cons.itu
and be prOpounded by Congress- provided III that
Instrument.
If on the other hand against every reasonable proba
bty there should be disagreement in the Conference
and failure 10 adopt and recommend any satisfactory
adj astmen should the proposed amendments fail To
DC prOpounded by the requisite vote in Congress-
rat fcaton b. sufficient number of the States tn