Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-26
TO TIE VOTERS OF RICHMOND CITY.

Ny FELLOw-CHIzENs
am greatly honored by being proposed by many Of
YOU for the approaching Convention and pray you TO
accept my grateful Acknowledgements for thus distin-
gushing me- 1t is place to which | would not unso
cited aspire decline to serve therein, should
it please ou- city elect know of no higher and
more solemn trust than the Convention will be charged
with. Our Constitution Union, the peace OF our coun-
,rv and free institutions, in the end nay rise or fall
with It's acts Its avowed purpose is 10 determine
whether government, which has attested the wisdom
of its founders by machless benefits and which, even
now is admitted TO lack nothing except the obedience
aud respect due TO its just and impartial requirements
shall be abandoned for another differing from it in no
essential particular in being adjusted to smaller
area.
We have been wronged-greatly wronged. Wicked
attempts upon rights aud peace, ustgated by sec
tioual and fanatica conspiracy, and growing such
things do by the law of their corrupt nature, have
brought the country its convulsed condition. Nothing
should content the South but explicit and compre
hensiye recognition of their rights Issue being joined
with the North, any slight, inadequate, temporary ad-
iustment would be submission. That's not TO be thought
Of nor will be- The equal rights of the South in the
Territories and the surrender of their fugitive slaves
are neither to be waived nor modified.
Our grievances proceed from the fanatics OF the Of
tending States and the factious and corrupt public men,
who abuse their stations to ioment sectional alterations
and hostility Politicians by occupation are incapable
of bringing the controversy to peaceful termination if
Providence has in reserve fO- signal a blessing
The people Of the North-the plain uncorrupt, indus
trous yeomanry-they who would be victims OF revo-
luton can alone avoid it, In their midst multitudes
of loyal and intrepid men, prepared to unite in
measures for Cancellation and dusment. Let there be
Convention of the people Of the Northern and Western
Saeset there be at least effort to ascertain If they
will meet to redress and satisfy the South. Above all,
let .here be Convention of all the borderslaye States
including North Ca oina settle the Of proceed
ing and the guarantees demanded by the eXgency They
are united in sentiment and policy, in principle and i'm
puse Our Legislature has wisely instituted Commission
10 inquire how far it within the verge OF peaceful RENE
dies TO restore and perpetuate the Union Let the issue
of these pacific means be seen-le all honorable expo
dents 10 continue the Union be tried before il be given
up ard abandoned 1t consists with her high position and
is the truest dignity and mannes for Virginia so TO act
Aud f the North should prove iuractable the co-opera
ton of the border States in their demand OF Southern
rights in potoning the property forces and muniments
of the Government, would be a tower of strength.
If force be employed against the States who have gone
out of the Union it should and must be resisted Force
is among the means of composing the controversy
1t is not appropriate adequate to any legitimate or
desirable end Should the Government perversely'
tempt H. the fable of shearng the wolf would fully illus
rate the folly and wantonness Of her counsels. The
States should be brought back if hapy they may, by
concessions aOne and these being yielded in the proper
quarter an appeal them from the border States where
in Virginia. hope, would be conspicuous could not fi
| of cOncilating influence.
have thus, in haste referred TO the points whereon
presume, you might desire my opinions and these a
they may be modified by supervening events, should
carry TO the Convention if high honor be in
serve for me- with engrossing soctude respond
solemn duties may be best for the honor pro- res
| glory of the Commonwealth.
Again thanking you for your friendly consideration
| am, very respectfully, yours,
WM MACEART.ANn