Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-09
Conspiracy to Drag Virginia Out of the
JJni0n.


1t seems that there is to be a grand assem-
blage in Richmond on the 10th inst, OF those
who are hostile to the Union. The following Is
copy of the circular which has been issued by
thousands and sent to such persons In every
county of the State as are known to be hostile
to the Union. The circular reads as follows:
"Your presence is particularly requested at
Richmond, on the 18th day of April, to consult
with the friends of Southern rights as to the
course which Virginia should pursue In the
present emergency.
"Please bring with you, or send full delega-
ton of true and reliable men from your own
county; and, if convenient, aid the same object
in the surrounding counties
ION arriving at Richmond, report yourself and
companions Immediately to -, at -
''Signed by r
| Samuel Woods, of Barbour. ~
| John h. Ohambliss, of Greensville.
Charles +. Collier, OF Petersburg.
| John A. Hartman, of Augusta.
ID. A. Wise, of Princess Anne.
| John T. Anderson, of Botetourt. '
| VIM. f. Gordon, of Albemarle.
Thomas Jefferson Randolph, of Albemarle.
James W. Shelley, of Smythe."
The object seems to be to effect Union, i
possible, OF the Douglas Democrats with thei
enemies-the Secessionists- that they may pre-
cipitate this State out of the Union nolens uozes
1t was no doubt thought that the name o
John A. Hartman, Esq, who was the Dougla
Eector for this District in the Presidential can.
vass, would be sufficiently potential with th
Douglas Democrats to make them all march, a
the word of command, into the ranks of th
Disunionists. But as this file leader no longe
"keeps step to the music Of the Union" we opin
that the Union-loving Douglas Democrats vii
no longer follow him-the rank and file are pa
triotic, good and true soldiers, and will not for
sake the "Stars and Stripes" to march over t
the camp of the enemy-they will not deser
the time-honored and consecrated flag of tn
Union to rally beneath the bunting OF Secession
To show the object of this convocation in Rich
mond as understood by those to whom the cir
cular has been sent, We publish the followin
response from Craig county, as we fiLd it pub
lshed in the 'sRchmond Examiner:
s'NEw CASTLE, CRAIG COUNTY, VA.,(
. March 9th, 1861.
o samuel WOOUS, COftt III. CHUUt0CISS, Una
r. Collier John 4. Harnan, Henry 4. Wis
and others
GENTLEMEN We are in receipt of your in
, vitation requesting US to be in the city of Rich
mond on the 10th of April next, to consult wit
the friends OF Southern Rights as to the cours
r which Virginia should pursue in the presen
] emergency.
sit is but proper to say that we have a pro
found appreciation for the motives that we con
slider to have prompted you in this call, but ow
ing to the dreadfuly deranged state of pecuniar.
affairs, which may very properly be attributes
in part to the nOn-action of our Convention
which, Gin all due respect to some of its mem
bers1 to speak in plain mountain terms, we con
: slider as very huma6ug as ever afflicted an
+, people, and because, too, our country has spo
ken SO strongly at the ballot-box, and throug
her county meetings, her sentiment we declin
respectfully your invitation, hoping goa grea
success in yoar deliberations, and that they ma
terminate IN an immediate withdrawal of til
State Of Virginia from Union that zoe hau
4 long, long since lost all attachment for.
Very respectfully yours, &c,
W. A. WAUeH,
N. @. WILSON,
W. W. HURT,
J. M. GRAY, t
SAMUEL G.. STEELE.
A. A. BANKS,
JNo. W. YOUNGER.