Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-06-22
o THE PEOPLE OIL NORTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.
Ely the Governor Of Virginia.
ID p N Sf tTInN


\ PROCLAMATION.
The sovereign people Of Virginia, unbiased, and
by their own free choice, have, bya majority OF
nearly onc hundred thousand qualified voters,
severed the ties that heretofore bound them to
the Government Of the United States, and
united this Commonwealth with the Confed-
crate States. That our people ha We the right
ITO institute u new government, laying lis
foundations on such principles, and organizing
Is powers in such form RS to them shall seem
most likely 10 efIsct their safety and happi.
ness, was proclaimed by cur fathers, and it is
i right which no freeman should ever rclin-
quish. The Suite Of Virginia has now, the
second time in her history, asserted this right,
and lis the duty Of every Yirginian to ac.
knowledge her act when ratified by such Q
majority, and to give his willing cooperation
to make good the declaration. All her people
have voted. Each has taken his chance to have
his personal views represented. You, as well
rs the rest CT the State, have cast your
vote fairly, and the u~lojority is against YOU
IL Is the duty Of good citizens to yield to the
will OF the Stale. The bill Of rights has pro-
claimed that The people have Il right TO uni
form government and, therefore, that no gov.
government Of Virginia ought TO be erected or
established within the limits thereof" The
majority, thus declared, therefore, have q right
to govern. But notwithstanding this right,
thus exercised, has been regarded BY the peo-
pie Of al sections of the United States as III.
doubted and sacred, yet the government
at Washington now utterly denies it, and, by
the exercise of ,~lcspotic power, is en-
deaSorlng to corrcv our people 10 alb
jcct submission To their authority
Virginia has asserted her Independence
She will maintain it at every hazard. She is
sustained by the power Of ten of her sister
Southern Slates, ready and willing to uphold
her cause. Can any true Hirginian refuse 10
render assis;ancet Men or the North. West, !
afpes! to you, by all the considerations which
have drawn lis together AS one people hereto
ioir, IL rally to the standard Of the Old Do
ininion. BY al! the sacred ties Of consanguin-
iiy, by the intcrmiSture Of the blood Of Eagt
and West, By common paternity, by friendships
haliowcd by (. thousand cherished recollcctions,
by memories OF the past, by the relics of the
great men Of other days, come to Firginia's
banner and drive the invaders from your soil.
There may be traitors in the midst Of you, who,
for selfish ends, have turned against their mo-
Their anu would permi! her to be ANONYMOUSLY
Oppressed and degraded. But ] cannot, will
not, believe that n majority Of you are not true
SOILS, 1ho will give your blood and your trea-
sure for Yirginia's defence.
have sent for your protection such troops
as the emergency enabled the to collect, in
charge of a competent commander. | have or
dercl q large force TO go TO your aid, but | rely
with the utmost confidence upon your own
strong arm to rescue your tiresidcs and affairs
frorn tue pollution OF a reckless and ruthless
enemy. The State is invaded 1t several points,
but ample forces have been collected 10 defend
her.
There has been Il complaint aiming you that
The Eastern portion Of the State has enjoyed
ali exemption from Taxation TO your prejudice.
the Slate, by a majority Of $1,000, has put
the two sections On an equality in this respect
BY a display Of lpagnanimity in the vote just
given, the East has, by a large majority, con-
scented To relinquish this exemption, and is
ready to share with you all the burdens Of Gov
crnulcnt, and 10 I,ert all Yirginia's liabilities.
They COME Iuw 10 aid you, Us you came in
former days To aid them. The men Of the
Southern Confederate States glory in coming
TO your rescue. Let one heart, one mind, ONE
energy, one power, nerve every patriot arm il
= c0nnlon cause. The heart that will not beat
in unison with Virginia now is a traitors heart,
Tue arm that viii not strike home in her cause
now is pulsed by q coward fear.
This troops ere posted ut lluttcnsV.!le. Come
with your own good weapons and meet them
rs brothers.
,, Given under my hand, and under
l.. 1. the seal Of the Commonwealth, this
49,, 18th day Of June, 1861, aud in the
S5lh year Of In" Commonwealth.
JOHN LETCEITE
BY The Governor:
GEORGE ". MrSfo*D,
Secretary Of the Comlnon1 ealth.