Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-01-11

RICHMOND, Jan. THE Legislature OF
Virginia assembled in special session to-day.
and the message Of Gov Letcher was i'm
mediascly laid before both houses. In al
luding to the condition of the country, the
Governor says that all see and know ana
feel the danger to be imminent, and all true
patriots are exerting themselves to save Us
from the impending perils.
He reuews the propositions made IN MS
LAST message Cor convention OF all the
States. and says: 1t is monstrous to see a
government like ours destroyed merely be-
cause men cannot agree about domestic
institution It becomes our State to be
mindful OF her interests. Disruption is re-
gsrded as inevitable. and if new confedera-
lions are to be formed. we must have the
best guarantee before we can attach Virgi-
MIA TO either. He condemns as hasty the
SETON Of South Carolina, which has taken
her Southern sisters by surprise
He would make no especial reference tc
her course had he rot been invited to do Sc
by her late Executive in uncalled for refer
ences to Virginia The non slavehelding
States are chargeable with the present con-
diton of the affairs Of the country, and il
the Union is disrupted, upon them rests the
responsibility.
He alludes at length to their expressions
and says they have the power TO end tbs
strife and restore confidence. VIII they dc
It? We await their response in that appre-
hension. He says that cur action sboala b
based on she ww1algs done c'ss own paosSe
He opposes State convention Il this tit1e,
and suggests that commissioners. composed
of two Of the most discreet statesmen, visit
the Legislatures of the States that have pas
sed The personal liberty bills. aud Insist
upon their unconditional repeal, excepting
the New England States.
Secondly Iiaat they must have proper,
effective guarantees Of protection to slavery
in the District Of Columbia.
Third-That our equality in the States
and Territories must be fully recognized,
and the rights of persons and property ade-
quately protected aud secured
Fourth That he be permitted to pass
through the free States and Territories ua-
molessed, and if a slave be abducted the
State where be is lost shall pay the value.
Fifth-ThatIike guarantees for the trans
mission Of slaves between slaveholding
States, by land or water, shall not be inter-
fered with.
Sixth Tho passage Of an enforcement
law Coz the punishment of such persons in
the free States as organize or aid and abet in
any mode whatever in organizing companies
with view to assail the slavehoiding States
and excite slaves to instruction.
Seventh That the general government
be deprived of the power of appointing to
local Offices in slaveholling States persons
hostile to their institutions Or inimical tc
their rights.
He says he will regard any attempt Of
the federal troops to pass across Virginia for
the purpose of coercing Southern State as
an act of invasion, which will be repelled
he is not without hope that the present diff
ficulties will find satisfactory solution =
Let New England and Western New York
be sloughed off, and let them form al ali
ence with Canada.
The message is lengthy, and the balance
mainly local.