Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-11-05


laws Of nature regulate il,o difference between
them as absolutely as the laws OF gTaVltation
control whatever comes within their action
and until ho could change the laws of graTita-
lion or any other law of nature, he could never
make the negro q white man or his equal. no
buman efforts or human laws can change tho
leopard's spots or the E%lhiopean's skin. These
are the works Of Proyidence-in whose hands
are the fortunes of men as we'll al the destiny
of nations and the distinctions Of races.
On This subject q change is evidently gbing
m in tha intellectual world-in the republic Of
thinkers. Tho British West India experiment
has done much to produce this charge. All
theor;e, on the problem OF human society must
in the end Weld to facts-just as ali theories
and gpeculations in other departments oil
science must Weld 10 Tho snme sure and uner'
ring test. The changes Of sentiment upon the
subject of negro subordination have been great
already. for THIS is the proper term to desIg--
nate his condition with Us. That they VIII
continue as truth progresses, there can &c no
doubt. All new truths progress slowly. WIN
US this change of view and sentiment has been
wonderful. There has been almost c complete
revolution within the last half century. IL
was Il question little understood By the emi.
nent statesmen OF the South seventy years
ago. This is no disparagement to their "ishoin
or ability. They were occupied IN the solution
Of other great ncw truths upon which rested the
first great principles of sell government by the
roverninc race. These principles they solved
and established. They met aud proved them.
selves equal to the exigenclei of their day and
generation that was enough to ill the measure
Of their fame. Each generation in the eternal
progress Of all things connected with existence,
must meet new questions, new problems, new
phases of even old subjects, ard it will be
enough for the men OF each generation, if they
prove themselves equal ID the requirement 81
The times in which they live. As our fathers
were equal to al! the questions Of their day, so
may their SONS be ut this and all succeeding
times. This is the point to which our attcn
ton should BE- chiefly directed.
Ia our Constitution, provision IS made tr
the admission. Of other Sla'es in!o the CDnfed--
racy but none can be admitted without hrst
adopting our Constitution, and. consequently,
none can be admitted which does not first ad>ps
the fundamental principles ON which our s"cla!
and domestic institutions r"s:-tl"r"hy reHGT-
ing forever from our pntlic Ct confederate coln.
ellis that que I.ion which gave rise to SO much
disturbances In the ohl government.
have, perhaps, detained you much longer
than | ought To have done, and upon matters,
perhaps, which Ynu may consider not very per
tinent to the object Ct my mission. This you
will please excuse. As | said IN the outset, !
appeared before you upon your invitation and
was rather OF Z loss what to say, until | knc"
more Of your own objects and wisheS-and
without, therefore, trrspassing further upon
70 n tune and patience, in conclusion, | will
barely add, bv way Of recapitulation, the main
nhj:ct, then, | had in view in coming before
you to day, was simply to announce that our
Government hailed with joy the news Of your
secession from the old GJrcrnment. and Il d..
sire on your part 10 fnrm Ell alliance with w.
Oar Government is very DESTROYS that your
ancient Commonwealth shall bccom, q
member Of Our CJnfederacy. lsur interests
and OURS are the same; your safety tbs same,
and your ultimate destiny must be The same.
We ere looking to your union with us as 4
certainly. But, 10 tie rneantimc-befure That
union can BE- perfected by tho action Of your
people, We think @ temporary alliance or Con.
vention Of the highest imp0ftahco TO meet the
exigencies Of tho day and the hour. The enc.
my is no& on your border--almnst at yonr
door-he must be met This can best be done
by having your military operations under the
common head at Montgonery--or il may he At
Richmond. For, while | have no authority to
speak on that subject, | feel at perfect liber!y
to say, That It is quite within the range Of pro.
liability that ii such All alliance is made AS
seems to me ought 10 be made, the seat
Of our Government will, within R few weeks,
be moved to this place. There is no psrms.
nent location at NORTHUMBERLAND should Viz
ginia become, as it probably will, the theatre
of tho war, the whole may be transferred here
all your military operations with onTs
will be under o common head. Yonr dis:lf
guiSled Commander in Chief, General Lcc,)
will, doubtless, hare snch position as fis great
military talents and merits deserve. Whether
in the Confederate Army proper, Or in tho
State service, will, I doubt not, depsnd upon
bis own choice. The great object is to haze
perfect nniun. harmony and CO operation under
one head. We think also thnt it is better for
you, in II financial point OF view. TO unite with
"a immediately. Besides this, NC want
your members at Montgomery. We want
the voice Of Virginia in our Confederate
Cnnncila.
On this POINT, I would suggest 10 you that this
Convention Immediately, it you think you have
the power, appoint delegates to Our Proci-
sional Congress. My o~pionion is you have got
the power. You may have to refer back to your
whatever change you make in
-four Federal relations and in your State Con-
s~titution but in nil other matters you have
power. You certainly have full
to send delegates to the Provisional Con.
grcss.
Is it not expedient that you should send
members Immediately to the Congress that is
to assemble at Montgomery next week! Ii you
think it is necessary that this matter should
be decided by the people, | would wait, oven
though perils threatened, before | would in
upon the rights of the people. But at
all events, I wish you TO understand that VIC
you to join US just as soon as you can.
II you SEQ ft to make an alliance offensive and
defensive, we will have our military here just
as soon after the alliance is concluded as pos
We want you to Join US permanently
By the adoption of the permanent Constitution,
will go into operation nett winter, and
Of course it will be important to yon in regard
to the elections, that you change yolr fund.-
law so far aS relates to the election Of
members % tee Southern Congress under that
Constitution.
l must apolcg;z, 10 you ior lrcsspassing SO
long upon your patience. I have SAID so much
a desultury way that ] have, ! fear, over.
looked or omitted some things that would have
been more appropriate il | had known more of
the temper and views Of your body. Bat this
4 time for free conference and consultation
u9on the general state of pubic alflirs. 1t is
from this CONVICTION | have addressed you as
| have. You ere now in pos session Of my
very fully and frankly. II may be that
something may occur that may renicr it pre-
pei for his to appear bcforr you again. In any
discussions that mag grow our Of what | haze
81 bmittcd, | hold myself in readiness to confer
with you; and if this body should decide to
f0I m any alliance or treaty that may be ,honsht
proper, such as ! have minated, wilt be
ready to meet them or any number that
NM ha nnnnintud 10 nErntiatn viii Mn IN the