Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-05
Why They Wish Virginia to secede.

dOV0rGlSluS ulCO1uAn'
Why They Wish Virginia to secede.
We took occasion several weeks since to warn
the people against the plausible pretext which
the Dsunionists were urging for inducing Vir-
ginia to secede from the Union. They claim
that they are the only true friends OF the Union,
and that they wish Virginia to secede that she
and the other seeding States may the more ef-
fsctually re construct the broken Union. We
warned the people to be on their guard against
this kind of disunionism in disguise, and told
them that if Virginia will ever 60 out, that she
will never get back. The disunionists them
selves are now furnishing confederation of the
truth of the position taken by us-they furnish
confirmation strong as proof of holy writ that
we have been right. The Legislature of South
Carolina has adopted resolutions which af-
firm ''that the separation of South Carolina
from the Federal Union is final, and that she
has no further interest in the Constitution ofthe
United States, and that the only appropriate ne
gotiations between her and the Federal Govern
ment are as to their mutual relations as foreign
States"
In the same series of resolutions they "declare
with frankness that they do not deem it advisa
BILE to initiate negotiations, when they have no
desire nor intention to promote the ultimate OBJ
ject IN oieao. That object is declared in the res
olution of the Virginia Legislature to be the pro-
curement of an amendment or new guarantees to
the Constitution of the United States"
The objects had in view by the Legislatures
of Virginia and South Carolina are as different
as day and nght-the former desires the pres
ervation of the Union, and the procurement OF
an amendment or new guarantees to the Con-
stitution of tie United States" whereas the lat
ter is opposed to the Union under every and all
circumstances, and does not desire any guaran-
tees. South Carolina says that she has ''7ao in
terest IN the Constitution Of the United States,
and that she will only negotiate with the United
States 'as to their mutual relations as FOREIGN
States"
Upon the subject of States going out that they
may reconstruct and come back, we give the fol-
lowing from the Richmond dispatch" which is
now Jealous disunion paper, and which, we
have no doubt, expresses the feelings of the dis
unionists upon that subject
sIndeed, we cannot imagine how any one
could suppose South Carolina, or any of the
other Gulf States, are engaged in such chids
play and disqualification as going out of the
Union and coming back, like wilfu boys leav-
ing home in pet, and returning as soon as the
transient i'll humor has subsidized. After such
grave and deliberate measures as they have ia
ken, they have probably no disposition to be-
come the laughing stock of the whole world"
1t will thus be seen that the "Dispatch" says
that to go out and come back would be an act
of sself-stultifcotion,'' and would make the
States thus acting "tbe laughing stock Of the
aohole aoorld." With this testimony staring them
in the face, who can be so silly as to believe
that they desire to get Virginia out, that she
may reconstruct and come back The object
is to get her out that she may stay out forever.
If this is not their object, it must be, upon their
own testimony, their object to make Virginia
disgrace herself By act of ses qualification, u
and to make her the 'laaghang stock Of the aohole
soorld." Every true son of Virginia will try to
save her from such humiliation and disgrace.
AS additional evidence of the fact that the
secessionists of this State do not desire any ad-
justment, we give the following from the Cor
ange Chronicle:
s'We are in favor of Immediate secession. We
do not hesitate to say that We look for no con-
cessions from the North, nor do zoe desire them"
The chronicle" does not desire any adjust
ment however satisfactory-it desires immediate
and final secession, like that of South Carolina.
In reference to the reputation and rejection, on
the part of South Carolina, of the friendly medi.
alton of Virginia, the "Orange Chronicle" uses
this language:
"The reply of the Legislature of South Carroll
ma to the Legislature of Virginia, is noble and
patriotic. She is not to be gulled back into this
Union by paper compromises and Black Repub-
lican promises. God bless the little Palmetto.
She is the noblest specimen of State which the
sun Of Heaven ever shone upon. The tyrant's
foot can never rest upon her neck"
The evidence is very clear that South Carroll
ma, Georgia and Alabama do not desire any re-
construction that would embrace any of the free
States and We have but little doubt that such is
the case with all the States which have seeded.
The idea of getting Virginia ont of the Union for
the purpose of securing guarantees that she
might come IN again, is preposterous and absurd.
If they succeed in getting Virginia out, they
will take good care that she will never get back
again. The whole argument of the secessionsts
upon the subject of secession for the purpase of
reconstruction is a deluson and cheat, and an
insult to the intelligence and patriotism of the
people of this State. The people have sufficient
sagacity to discern the ''cat in the meal-tub."
The Supposed Result.
From all the indications exhibited up to this
time, we are convinced that Messrs. Baldwin,
Baylor and Stuart have been elected by very
larua inainrifu Ihis rasnlt hoe not hoor oo,,rod