Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-17
70 rae PEOPLE or NoarH. wEsrsaS VIRGINIA
BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.
A PROCLAMATION.

The sovereign people OF Virginia. unbiased, ard by
their own free choice have, by oriiy OF nearly ono
hundred thousand qualified voters severed the Ties that
heretofore bound them to the Government OF the United
States and united this Common wealth with the Confed-
crate States That people have the right ito IL s-
tue government, laying its foundations on such
principles and organizing Its powers IN such form as TO
them shall seem lk 9y to effect their safeiX and
happiness" was proclaimed by cur fathers, and 1t Is
right which freeman should ever relirquish. The
Stat, OF Virginia has now, the second time her history,
asserted this right and is the duty OF every Vrgnian
to acknowledge her act when ratified by such ma ory,
and to give his willing cooperation to make good the
decara ion. All her people have voted Each has taken
his chance have his personal views represented You,
as well as the rest of the State, have cast your
vote fairly, and the majority Is against you
1t the duty Of good citizens TO yield to the will OF the
State The bill of rights has proclaimed "that the peo-
pie have right TO uniform government and, therefore,
that no government separate from independent Of the
government OF Virginia ought to be erected estab-
ished within the limits thereof" The sjorty thus de-
cared therefore have right TO govern. But notwth-
standing this right thus exercised has been regarded by
the people of all sections OF the United States as I'M
doubted and sacred yet the government at Washington
utterly denies it, and, by the exercise OF despoc
power is endeavoriBg to coerce people to abject
submission their authority Virginia has asserted her
Independence She will maintain it at every haz
ard She is sustained by the power Of ten of her SIS
ter Southern States ready and willing 70 uphold
her cause Can any ViTginan refuse 10 render
sstance? Men of the Northwest, appeal to you, by
all the considerations which have drawn US together as
one people heretofore rally the standard of the
Old Dominion. By all the sacred ties OF coLsanguinity
by the intermixure of the blood Of East and West by
common paternity, By friendships haowed by thou
sard cherished recolectons, by memories OF the past
by the relics Of the great Of other days. come TO
Vrgnias banner and drive the invaders from your coil
Thtre may be traitors IN the midst OF you, who for sell
fish ends have turned against their mother and would
permit her TO be ANONYMOUSLY oppressed and degraded
But cannot will not, believe that a mjory Of you
are not true sons, who vii! give your blood and your
treasure for Vrginia's defence
have sent for your protection such troops as the
emergency enabled collect, in charge OF compe
tent commander. have ordered large force to 60
your aid, but rely with the utmost confidence upon
your own strong arms your resdes and aars
from the pollution of reckless and ruthless enemy. The
Safe is invaded several points, but ample forces have
been collected 10 defend her.
There has been complaint among you that the Eastern
portion o. the State has enjoyed exemption from tax
90 600 has put the two sections equality IN this
respect BY display of msgnanimity in the vote just
given the East has, by large jority consented to re-
huqush this exemption ana Il ready 10 share With you
all the burdens of Government and TO meet all Vrginias
liabilities They come now TO AID you, as you came in
former DAYS 10 aid them The OF the Southern Con-
federate States glory in coming TO your rescue Let one
heart one mind, one energy Que power, nerve every
patriot arm 10 common The heart that viii not
beat 10 unison with Yirgioa is traitors heart the
arm that will strike home in her cause now is pa!sied
by a coward fear
The troops are passed at Hu!tonsyille. Come with
your own good weapons and meet tie rs bro hers
~ Given under my hand, and under the seal OF The
G. Common n alth this l4.h daY Of June, 1861,
L. D. and in the S5th year OF the Common wealth.
- JOHN LETCHER.
By the Governor
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