Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-06-12
Hon George W. summers.

The Charlottesville (Ya.,) Reviep says
We have it in the most direct way that this
gentleman has written letter to Governor.
L tcber. stating that he is heart and hand
with Virginia. and for resistance to the
Northern invaders.
Mr.. SUMMERS has been appointed one of
the Virginia Commissioners to open books
for subscriptions to the Confederate State
loan. He has resigned his seat in the State
Convention, on account of the health of his
family. We make the following extract from
his address to his constituents on resigning:
regret now. that did not resign in time
to have enabled you to select successor at
tn, election on the 4th Thursday of NAV.
But still entertained hope, that might be
able to return to the adjourned session of the
Convention. which commences on the 18th
day of June next. For although the greater
question has been decided, and the subse-
quent labors of the Convention will be of
less moment and Importance, comparatively,
yet | was anxious TO have discharged to the
end, aud to the extent of my power, the
whole duty which your generous confidence
had imposed upon me. / was especially de-
sirous to have participated in the amend
meDt aud notifications of the State Consti-
tuition, which it will become necessary for
the Convention to prepare and submit to the
people; several of which, in addition to those
that will be applicable to inherent defects in
the Constitution itself, have become essential,
| in consequence of the change which has oc-
| CURED in our political relations.
/ have had no agency in bringing about
| that change. In obedience to the fixed con-
victions of my own judgment, as also what
L well knew to be the opinions and wishes OF
an overwhelming majority of the people l
| represented, l opposed and voted against the
Ordinance of Secession, aud repeated that
vote at the polls. That measure was, how
ever. adopt d by the Convention, and have
| no doubt has been ratified by a majority of
the people of Virginia.
This is not the time to discuss the eXpedi-
| ency or inexp, dency of what has been done.
The Ship of Stale is 10 this whirlpool and on
| the breakers. We cannot stop now to en-
quire how she got there but all hands must
hrst assist in getting her off.
In the midst of the general troubles, which
the present crisis brings with it, our own Pc
| culiar and local interests press strongly upon
our considerations. | am frequently asked
whether, in my opinion, Western Virginia is
likely to become the theatre OF military op-
eratiOns.
l see no reason why it should be. and think
that with ordinary prudence and discretion
it will not be. The Virginia aul horities are
the territory of neIghboring States. She will
act only on the defensive. Ga the other hand,
the Federal Cover ment processes its pur-
pose to be TO hold the properly which it
claims to belong to il to execute It's revenue
laws, and &c suppress combinations against
the execution of those laws. which are 100
powerful for the civil authority. II denies
any intention to wage general war for the
subjugation of States. If there be any truth
in these professions, there can be no temDta-
lion or excuse for the Invasion of our West
ern border by the troops of the United States.
There are no forts, arsenals, navy yards, OIL
other public property on the line of the Ohio,
within our limits, to become the subj of
controversy, or TO afford apology 10 eth. +
side for attack or occupancy. We have no
custom house in all West Vii GINA, except at
Wheeling. and there is no likelihood of any
difficulty about that. UHdrr any circum
stances, there can be no obstruction to the
revenue laws. while all importatinns are cut
off by blockade of the XteTior ports through
which the goods must pass to the inland Gus
tom house.
THE troops collected in our Valley have not
oeeH sent from distanc.., but consist of vol
unteer companies, raised in The eighbOrhood.
They have not been collected for pur poses of
aggression, but solely with a view to protec-
ton, and for the purpO-e of repelling ltWless
raids and IucursiUns. should any be attempt
ed, and for the further purpose of prevent
ing any such attempts of our own people up
ON our neighbOrs across the river, OF which,
however, there is not the slightest reason TO
suspect any design
We have every reason to suppose, that the
troops which may be stationed in Ohio with
in striking distance of The river, are TO be
used only for like purposes, and in similar
contingencies The idea suggested by some
eXcitable persons, that any portion of thu
people of this region of Virginia. desire Fed
eral troops to be rent to our soil, for their
own protection, apart from the imputation
which it conveys, is simply ridiculous. Our
people have recorded their opinions at tn
polls as freemen. When called upon TO
act, they will act as becomes them. They
neither ask or need such protection and any at
tempt to aft I'd it, would be regarded in the
light of an Invasion and would most likely
unite all classes i'll its repulsOn. All we ask
is to be let alone. Let the military forces, on
either side of the Ohio, so far as there are any.
remain on their own soil, aud let their mis-
sion be. to preserve the peace and quiet OF
the border not to irritat4 or invite to violence