Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-07

Meeting Of the Legislature.
The General Assembly Of Virginia meets in the Capt.
tol to-day in extra session. We have heretofore alluded
TO the important duties devolvng upon this body under
the extraordinary circumstances by which we are sur
rounded. The representatives Of the people ccme to-
rether az time when the public mind Of the whole
try is deeply agatcd and aarmed-when Revolution has
been already inaugurated and when the Revolutionary
spirit ieary on the increase az least in the cotton
growing region Of the ConiederaCy. Nor is 10 TO be dis
uised that in all the Southern States the feeling in ia
yor Of Disunon has been augmented to considerable
extent in consequence Of the daily exciting from
the south and the adsposdon otleadng and influential
Republicans to meet the crisis in just and conciatory
spirit
But the representatives Of the sovereign people of
yrgua should proceed 20 the discharge OF their respons
Die duties with calmncss deberation, and the utmost
freedom from excitement and passion. We are not in
the position Of the Cotton Sateswe occupy no safe dis
lance from the Border-we are right on the Border, aud
subjected 20 an the Inconvenience aunoyauces and dan
gers incident 10 so exposed situation. Nor are wehse
the Cotton States altogether homogeneous people
There are two grand divisions Of the State in one Of
which slavery is almost universal and in the other &c exc
ISIS % bur, comparatively a small extent. This fact
rAo.u ut 4N oFltl LLil aclluu uldN
be taken viii command the approval and enlist the sup
port OF whole people It seems to that i. should
be the frs. object Of every patriotic yrguiau to bring
sbou, perfect accord of sentiment and concert OF
action among our own people. There should prevail,
therefore, o. wise spirit OF Cancellation and forbear-
alce on the part Of al good citizens Of the Old Domn
ION. The too hasy should s'acSen their pacethe TOO
slow should step little faster aud thus common ground
be reached wherein al can patrodcly and houoraoly
stand in this great emergency. The very extreme noisy,
flsy persons who camor without rhyme orreasou for an
immediate and unconditional "I.st up, and who affect
% look with compaceucy upon the fearful realities OF
Revolution and Civil War Che people and the represeu-
tadyes OF the people should no more regard than they
do the idle wind. The present time for reflection,
for deh6eraton for moderation for wise counsels AID
cautious action. No man is nc 20 be at the helm now
no man t TO egstc for the interests the honor and
the safety Of the peope-who does approach the SOL
emn work before him with due dstrust Of bis
pacty and with the dignity and caution that properly
pertain TO wise and successful craftsmanship.
The presen. Legislature is composed ia good part of
excellent material There many members Of the Gys,
order of intellect Of long and varied political experience,
OF eminent saacty and fore light, and whose patriotism
is ulqlesdouej And to these men the people look Cor
wise and prudent measures-ior just aud healing
sells And vet there number of persons u the pres
e1t Legislature who would better serve the people In "a
private stston"-who have no talent and aptnes for
legislative duties and who, especially in the present
emergency find themselves iouud-rug in very deep
ter aud wholly iucompetel. the discharge Of the task
assigned them bv their constituents. Such members
should exhibit a lauda5lc degree of motes,y and diff
dsuce. and preserve comweujabe reucence In view OF
he grave and uoueu,oas questions awaiting decision.
Let ther the able and experienced Of the General
Assembly in both Houses hs slowed TO take the Ie-iia
the important matters that demand attention, and ,e tlc
numerous greerdorrs Of che body consul. their selrss
uect and tle peoples good oy ag back seats and keep
ing their moutl Theoretically sealed during the entire
session
As to the cau of Convention, we hope that the Lee
gislatu1e viii consider the matter Well and have eve
TO the convenience and e wishes Of che people There's
no doubt aat be Immediate Sec5ssiouis desrea far as
possible 90 avoid consulting or delcring the people
Their object IS 20 order election for members OF the
Convention Within tle course of The mex month the Con
venton itself assemble by he 18th OF February and an
ordinance Of secession Dee passed by the 4,h Of March
Blt warn che people and the representatives OF the
people against such reckless and indecent haste. We
warn he people that the politicians w. asuredy atemp.
TO get te vhphaud Of them and force them into seccs
sol and revolution without a0orliug them even de-
can't onroruuity for reflection and consultation among
us,',es. Nor is this a Not only she purpose Of
tae Sece en- Precpators to hurry up the assembling Of
Couyeu and tbe passage of an ordinance OF Secs
sion but IL IS their intention 90 make the action OF the
Convention Eua refusing submit their action 90 tHe
votes Of the people to be ratified rejected by them at
tl polls Such ia the Immediate Ssces programme 40
present Aad we undertake. TO say tlat involves direct
insult or outrage upon -ho people themselves without pa-
rsel a the history Of the Commonwealth Strange I'M
deed that doe Secession politicians should manifest such
o1sr dssrst OF Che people The action OF the lss; State
Coayeadou-.rcouoeyab.y uuimportaut in all respects
.len compared with that which Is now 20 assemble
was submitted 10 che vote OF the people, TO De ratified or
rejected as seemed 90 them he-. And yet he action OF
Convention. called TO determine relations 90 the
Union and our sister S;a,es-casd 90 decide upon the
fate of the State for all time Co come-is ro to be sub
1atei 70 the people for their approval diaPprova'
is t possible chat the free ard intelligent citizens OF Viz
GINA viii for moment tolerate such tyranny and such
outrage We believe Motive are sure they will not
and the Pr,cipiadae Politicians had better be on their
guard ora swift destruction will oyertlLe and oyerwheim
thsm lL
We repeat. I'm conclusion the expression or our hope
shat the Legislature which meets to-day, viii act with
Che calmuess, elaboration and prudence that become
men uooa whom such grave responsibilities rest They
arc be elected guardians of he interests and honor Of
Che state and they should discharge their high trust
Al 90 stand Justified by tbe, own corce1ces, and com
maad the hearty and unanimous Expectation of taeir
7rs. .asats Let them proceed earnestly work, with
ont delay cor1ulete their h5Ors and return home as