Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-04
RICHMOND HIG
To CORRESPONDENTS.
An Appeal TO the People the only Resort.

We have all along maintained that there no hope
Of settlement Of the pending controversy by the mise
e politcian- ia Congress. Elected on obsolete plat
f and without reference 70 existing issues they
totally unit 10 grapple with the stern realities that sur
rc,o3 ~ aud thew must therefore be set aside, and
others better suited 20 the times and able to eOmpre-
bend the will and wishes the people, substituted in
their places before We can expect the adoption of any
rational and satisfactory adjustment OF sectional diff
f.ures. I: should be rScoueeted that large proper
ton Of the members Of the present Congress were elect
ell tso years ago last Fail and elected on local and
subordinate issues, having but little relation with
the existing controversy. And, consequently as We
have already remarked the country had no right to
meet any high and disiusrested Of patriotism from
tsse men-mere selfish and trading politicians who look
alone to their interests and that of party without
feeling the slightest concern for the welfare and honor
of the country.
The proceedings In Congress- the Peace Conference
settlement sufficiently demonstrate the aetious temper
and character of the wreehed extremists of both sec
ions. We find that Sumner and Mason, Wilson and
Hunter stand "cheek by i0wi and shoulder to shoulder
in opposition to aay adjustment of the difficulties in
which the country Is unfortunately involved While
C,ittenden and Douglas and number OF other true pa
rots are uoby exertng themselves to restore peace to
the land these Abolition and Secession extremists are
doing all in her power 70 obstruc and defeat their eff
forts and thus perpetgste the ieelng and strife that
ervade the two sections For example, no sooner had
Mr. Critendeu presented the Pease Conference settle
,ospt in the Senate Friday, than Senator Hunter OF
Virginia arose in his place and offered substitute fer
that settlement not in the hope OF procuring the ldOp
Ito, Of better adjustment but in our judgment of de
f..tur an adjustments altogether There but two
s,ys I'm which to consider AL dispose Of the subject
anil NJ course any motion that would Lad to long d
hate would necessarily be fatal to the Peace Conference
settlement or to any other settlement. And yet, with
only two DAYS for work Senator RsutOF proposed sub
tute for the Peace Conference proposition which led 10
discussion that occupied the whole Of Friday, and the
consequence was that result reached on that day
nor Is there auy probability that any vote will be taken
on this subject s At che present session Of Congress
Il is clear them that tie responsibility for the
adoption OF tue Peace Conference settlement will rest
o., Senator Hunter and his secession cos ors from the
South aud Ca he Abolition Senators from the Sorth
Tn, people in both sections sincerely anxious for an
adjustment and th their representatives, in Congress
would afford them an opportunity Of expressing their
vii AMI wishes at the polls all difeudes end trou-
ole, would speedily vanish aud the light Of restored
Y,,se AaI confidence pcryaie aud bless all sections Of
A.. l,pd There is no doubt-no; particle-tha; in
every Northern STATE not excepting Massachusetts,
an overwhelming majority Of the people would TO-DAY
vote for any adjustment deemed satisfactory and fair to
the South But the politicians stand in tie way for the
present and the only alternative is for the people 20
hide their time We sure, however tina. the day OF
rerbutou /, near az hand when Vengeance swift and
terrible VIII be visited upon the miserable political dem
agosucs who fetiousy throw themselves il the way Of
their c5aa;rys peace aud happiness
A. the only resort, then TIA; is el let there be
an earnest and direct appeal TO the people themselves
North and South aud such an adius.mea, Of our difficult
ss = 20 be reached wild satisfy and crafty every hon
est and patriotic heart ia tbe land.