Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1861-01-03
Which &. the sran,,er Course.

The Precipitationise in Virgins and the South
says the Rshmood whig) who urgs % vehe.
mently immediate secession from tho Union,
as the only relief from present grievances and
impending wrongs. under estimate the spirit and
power OF the South, ~ much ~ thoy fall below
the full measure Of the rights Of The South. We
cannot wait, they tell us--we must act prompt
iy or we shall be crashed" Are they serious
who address TIN, argument TO our fesrsi Sure
" NOT The people OF the slave States are some
nine millions strong, Of desperate vaior and
skilled IN the use Of arms. And may not such
people pause to take counsel together, mature
thoir plans. and make their action, whatever il
be- efficient 10 effect their purposei Who shall
assAil theta! The North is divided. Lincoln
obtained, some l,5GO,000 Northern votes. and
there were sOme l 100000 Northern votes cas-,
against hiia- Our friends, voters IN The Narth,
exceed the whole vote cast in the South In .
ballot Of over 100000 Of Northern votes, they
lack only some 100000 Of = majority. We have.
too majority IN the Senate and House Of Req.
resenlaiives and without their content, Lincoln
eanno, raise dollar in money, nor . single
soldier 10 asssil ~. The old forre~bill. under
which President jackson proposed TO act, ha.
ceased TO exist aud there il no Law, now in
force under which m attempt can be made To
eoerce ua- Mr.. Buchanan. who will remain in
power for over two months, is opposed TO coer-
zion, and Lincoln will find his hands tied even
# be has the will % use force We are strong
tho North divided, and Lincoln pOwerless eve
can take time 70 mature our plans. and then
move with unitcl front. the firm tread and in.
NInoible power Of IAN srmy with banners. -
And who shall dare advise the bold and power
fal South TO run out. for fear of being crushed
The Union has nursed and cheriakcd her into n
mighty strength ADD The South knows DO fear.
las great slave power - not n ~younc child I"
Our isthers gave u goodly heritage. rich in
present blessing, and all glorious with the gold
en- promise oIeet richer fruiiion in the Year, to
come. And now, when some of the beirs attempt
to mismAnage this grand plantation, shall We.
who are equal heirs. 'seeede," and leave the
whole inheritance to ihelnl We have eausl
rights IN ths common terriiorier Shall we So
ceis," and yield them all. without n struggle (,
We have equal rights 10 the common navy. the
49, 'Satf PuhiG IIlffTtNs--
shall We abandon all : We have a right TO de-
mand the faithful execution cf the fugitive slave
Law right 10 demand the value Of slaves Al.
ready escaped, and n right TO demand full per.
formanee Of all the covenants Of the Consiitu.
ton Shall not the people Of the Southern State.
wait to take counsel together, and see what Is
best to be done. and what they can do or will
you give up all without an effort let us ini-
tate our fathers, and bold "A Congress Of the
aggrieTed States, and maintain wha, Il may de-
eide = best 20 be dore. If that Congress deter.
mines 10 dissolve this Union. let it initiate the
old Confidential Congress. aud make a Joint de-
LsrdfioH Of Southern Independence but We con.
iess decided preference for tho holder policy
OF standing our ground, and maintaining our
rights IN the Union. Should Southern Con
gress decide on separation, il would q course
include fair division OF the public property, thu
territories included. with such arrangements, Il
possible A. wOaId secure peace between the
sections. But separate or partial sooession
abandons all, and leaves US weak. poWerls.. for
all time 10 come.