The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-10
,a~~ssre of Governor Lctcher Of Virginta
ON the Crisis.

n e~ssxe or Governor Lctcher Of Virgtnis
ON the Crtsts.
Executive DEPARTMENT,
RIcHMokD, Jan. 7, 1861.
f,f,rv1xnGS SENATE AND HoUsE or DElHdArss:-
Ny proclamation, issued the 18th Of November last
succnety the considerations which Induced mo 70
convene you in extraordinary session.
The condition OF our country at this time exces the
most serious fears fer the perpetuaton Of tn, Union
"Couds overlapping clouds are weaving our house an
evu wool fearful canopy" The country Is .osn ~
fierce and angry excitement exhibits seI In
all secons passion aud prejudice have taken absolute
possession OF the minds Of tho people throughout tho
Of national honor digs the grave Of patriot
ism, shows itself all SIDES Confidence Is destroyed;
onal hate tho spirs Of eouca,ion has boon snoherad
and crushed and the affections OF tho people, North aud
south East ana Vest appear 70 nave noen earey WIN,
have been severea and though living under tho Same
constitution the sections seem To be as hostile each TO
the other as II their citizens belonged To unriendy
Dstrust has mArr0d the pleasure or friend
ship and social intercourse bitterness and unkndness
nn.y Of action 0a nova So.s is hardly posi-
BILE for a government to live and flourish under
such adverse circumstance I'VE must not; nom
ever, look mouInully into the past That IS beJ onu
the hope Of recall We must wisely improve the p,u
sent correct its errors; reform its abuses reun.e snS
severed OF Affection enkndle anew the hres u
patriotism il we would all that has been lost
If this shall be DONE bright and glorious future 10 yes
joyed In the history Of tho world Great rs has neon our
tofore, greater far would 1t be hereafter ,
1t is interesting trace our progress, from tho
formation of tho constitution up 10 tho present
time The results will DO found in the highest de-
gree gratifying to our pride as people and mmensey
important, far as our power and influence as nation
lis concerned. What was the area OF our country IN
squire miles, embraced by tho original thirteen States?
Only 54s,6l5. What is it nowS Thirty three States
covering of 602 OO0 organized Territories
exclusive Of the District Of Coumba covering area OF
4O1 COO ard IN addition, have the Mssllla Valley,
embracing rs COO and the Indian Territory embracing
mil
nearly seven times in extent; our navy has been IN
creased until its canvass whens every ocean, and our ma
ti0nal flag protection to the American citizen
wherever he may be- Our power, our influence, our
prosperity, our agricultural, mechanical and manufac-
turing wealth have Increased far beyond all expectation
That banner which Ia borno up and which has been
carried forward by the yet steady hand of pro
gress, has attained position far In advance OF tho
hopes and aDticipatons of the founders of our
government. Surely no people have been blessed as
have been, ana il is melancholy to think that all Is
about be sacrificed upon the altar Of passion II
the judgments OF men consulted II the atmoniton5
of their conscences respected tho Union would yet
be saved from overthrow Every calm, consdeato aud
refecting mind filled with apprehensios OF the most
painful Character every patriotic heart throbs with
anxiety, and all conservative men throughout our OK
tended country are seeking to devise some means of
escape from the evils that threaten our peace and
the continued existence OF the government An see and
feel and know that tho danger s imminent, and all true
patriots exertng themselves osave us from the porS
now Impending over us. The dark gloom OF apprehen-
Doa gathering around US, and II saved at ALL tho
wisdom prudence pa iotsm Of the country alone
(aidcd by Divine Provdence) BIO relied upon to relieve
MY inaugural message presented TO you just year
ago to-day prepared in anticipation OF tho occur
FENCES Of the past two months, which have cas-, their
mercal, Of the country. thought saw then storm
ahead that threatened to be destructive in its conse-
qucnces AND anxious 10 avert its fury possible, made
two recommendations, which, If adopted, would Tin my
judgmont) have saved from tho consequences now
upon In this opinion however. you did not concur,
and no action was taken in regard to either
Seeing other hopo Of ayertng tho threatened dan
ger cordially on iorse the proposition presented by Col
mil nor AZ South
sppi for conference with those states that propo
siton mad been accepted am entirely satisfied has the
tended in great degree to the settlement and saisfac
tory adjustment of the painful CONTROVERSY which had SO
long existed and which seemed to be Increased by time
unoward circumstances between the two sections of
the Union The questions would have been presented in
o form and shape, and in manner imposing, that
ton must have followed. That action could not have
tended otherwise than toward peace
now again most respectfully renew the reconm olda-
ton presented in my inaugural message the following
extract
The only mode therefore, OF remedying tho evil tina.
OCCURS 70 mo- under the constitution provided IN the
fifth article thereof Summon q convention Of all tho
States that full and free conference may be had boz
the representative Of the people, elected for this
purpose aud thus ascertain whether the questions IN
controversy be settled upon basis mutually
satisfactory to both sections such conscn,ion str
son Of oginions they shall find that hs di9ereoes beoen
the slateholdns ond slaooholdny Stas eecnctl
M 's, them eo,sds ns o psaoea, 70 soars3
~ the property between the too sections. il they can
DO reocnced let them ADJUST the terms and give them
such sanctions will render them effective.
suggest therefore, that you adopt resolutions IN ia
OF the call OF such convention, and appeal TO tbs
Legislatures Of the several States 70 unite in the appoa
lion proposed 20 DO maze to Congress, In pursuance OF
The provisions OF tho article Aforesaid s nontve-
hoin1 States shall fail ,Ssss 20 iis IN The application,
yuch faiI,ue or refusal oi furnish conclusive evidence of
ueir part TO keep up the equation, and TO
continue their alrcssins apon as II the convention
AAli meet and the qestoa cannot be satisfactorily ad
lasted viii furnish evidence equally conclusive Of thsir
determination In either event, the people OF the south
will clearly understand what they are 70 expect IN the fu
ture.
The article of the constitution which reference IL here
made is in the following words and quote IT, nasmuch
as t viii be referred 10 hereafter IN this oommanca-
ton
The Congress- whenever twothirds Of both houses shall
deem necessary, shall propose amendments to this con
stitutiOn the applications of the legislatures OF
OF the several States, shall call convention
for proposing dnents which, IN either case, shall
rituicn when ratified by Tho legislatures Of thrco
fourhs Of the several States by conventions In three
fourhs thereof the one or the other mode Of raica
zion may be proposed by the Congress"
Under this article constitution Of the Unod States
has beer amended three several occasions in our his
tory and these amendments have all boon exceedingly
valuable and inpo tant. The rst ten amendments
ratified BY OF the States In 1882 by others IN $780,
and by tho residue In 1871. Another amendment was
prono in raj which the Pesd OF the United states
announced in his message TO both houses daod January
s. 1905, having beea adopted by tho constitutional
number The last dme nt was proposed IN
1903 aad adopted by The constitutional numosr or states
IN 1904. These amendments proposed and adopted
nv peTiotS lSS haTullnEp tnAH ~ ts Psecoi
day sim their adoption necessary to ensure peace
aud quiet country AMI demanded by proper
Difference 20 public opinion.
In tho present condition Of public affairs, why
not suoh additional amendments as the circum-
stances existing require DO proposed for ratica
tion and adoptionf The necessity is manifest, and
the duty 20 adept all constitutional before
resort To tho ultimate remedy Of secession ~ mpera
tive liz IL not monstrous 10 govsrnm mt like ours
destroyed merely bsauao cannot agree about do.
most,c institution which existed at the fgfAtion Of the
government and which is now recognized oy hftocn out
OF tha thirty three States composing the unioaf
In support OF position quote from the message Of
Governor John Tiovd, dated January %, 1888 10
one tho ables aud reliable OF tho state rights
men OF Virginia. Though he has boon tlken from
arnorEst as he hos lott bhind him arecord enduring
Time
ut the call o general convention Of the states brings
mt once uH before an the parties TO the every
doubtful disputed power Of tho FEDERAL government in
the mode pointed out by tho instrument ITSELF whore all
amenJmcnw aould bo made, and dppatet powers set.
tied Ia spirit az kindness much moro congenial 70 the
harmony OF institutions than that which
IN contemplation This ought to be acceptable to
NIL givsT full OF peaceful days hereafter,