The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-01-18
Climp>es of Things as They are ut the
South.

The di>unionists in Virginia have encoun-
tered a formidable difficulty which will grow
upon them if they succeed in getting state
contention, as now seems likely. If CON
ve,!ion is called the people of Western Nir
gina are Determined to make contest in il
tor equal rights in the state. Says the Stan
ten Nindicator, democratic
We are in favcr of IA state convention, as
much to arrange the basis of taxation as to
designate the position Virginia is to occapy
on the canvas Of the 'di>>olving view of the
Union. We are glad the leading politicians
and papers of the state have unhesitatingly
and thoroughly committed themselves to the
proposition. We are glad also that the
movement originated in. and has come from.
the eastern portion of the state. 1t is an cx-
hlbtlon on their part of Willingness to have
fair basis of taxation established; for, we
take it. they could not have been so short
sighted ds not to see that the assembling of
Il state convention was but another name for
rcarranging the mode and manner of levyinS
the taxes of the state"
\ correspondent of the Alexandria Ga
zette, writing from the county of Marion
speaks still more strongly on the same sub
ect as follows:
"Western Virginia is becoming aroused
on the great question of disunion. Groaning
under burden of unequal taxation, the peo-
pie are wlde-awake to their interest. The
forum of the legislature at Richmond this
winter will present an interesting scene for
demanding and concedng rights, long with
held. to the west. and long cherished bv our
eastern brethren in their enjoyment. The
west is uncl mpromisingly ly in favor of tie
Union, not merely for the sake of the Union
but for the sacred and inestimable rights it
guarantees to the people. If a state conven
tion is called, the first question to be settled
is the basis of representation. The west will
accept of nothing but the basis as now repre-
sented in the lower House. The convention
when called must have power to amend tht
constitution of the state, at least in that par
which exempts large portion of the slave
property from taxation. If delegates are t,
be appointed to a southern convention, thos,
delegates mus: be appointed by districts, ar
ranged on the basis of the white population
OF the state. The obvious justice of thes,
demands must commend them to the appro
val of all Just thinking men. If our eastern
brethren Withhold these rights from the wcs
at this jnncture, it will take one hundred
thousand bayoLets from southern confede
racy to force western Virginia into a Uniol
with the cotton states. We want all thes
:. questions settled before we join co-partner
! with South Carolina"
. The following letter from large landhol
: der and planter in Mississippi. published il
the \. Y. Herald, adds another to accumula
} ting proofs that real public opinion at tn
: South is overslaughed and compelled to 81
S lence by the violence Of the mob, under tn
fire eating politicians. 1t shows too that tn
e disunonists have no better allies than thos
S northern men who declaim against coercion
r when treason and rebellion are to be dea
: with. Says the Mississippi planter:
r II have been through several counties i
this state, and some Of the northern countie