Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-04
THE LOYALTY OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
MoUNDsyILLE, Va,
3lst December, 1860.

10 hc Editor Of he Wing:
DEAR SIR fad the following extract, taken from
the Alexandria Gazette, in the National lnellgencer of
the Hth December:
"The report OF movement in Western Virginia look
ing to the agitation Of grave questions affecting
State, referred a few days ago. has confirmation from
a communication which We have received from Marion
county, declaring that IT, Slate Convention be called
the West will demand that the basis representation ques
ton be again brought up be settled the white bIsis
that the subject OF slave taxation be arranged differently
from what il is and tia, the election Of delegates
TO a Southern Convention be made by districts. So that
these demands as they called are TO be cOnsid
cred we are to have not only new settlement of Ma
ona matters. but partial upturnug Of our State az
flirs. The times, indeed appear TO be "ou Of joint y
Aier. Gazette
This and an editorial of similar character which appear
ed in the Itiegeacer Of the 23d well calculated to
slead and to do harm. Aud it is matter OF regret
that journal hitherto so Justly celebrated for lis relia
bty as the Ineiiqencer has been should give curreu
to statements destitute of foundation the above
think that understand the feeling Of this my native
county. And say with confidence, that no attempt
stir up, at this time those questions 10 regard TO which
the people of East and West Virginia der,can receive
any couEtenarce from the people of Marshall. | be-
eve that her public sentiment in common with that Of
entire west Virginia would damn the men, who in this
the darkest and most trying hour through which our
blessed commonwealth passed in this hour when
her interests and her honor demand the united action Of
into her councils to an immortality more Infamous than
that which clusters around the memory OF the parhcpl
tiers in the Hartford Convention.
As to the idea Of disintegrang this Commonwealth,
believe that not gangrened with the yest Adolf
tionism tinctned with Black Republicansm, can for
single moment contemplate il. | believe that such a
proposition would this time be regarded by the peo-
pie OF Marshall as little better than treason.
trust that the people OF Virginia will act in this trou-
bed hour in way that will throw shadow tarnish
her past glorious historythat her representatives
in that Convention which all loyal Virginians
seem to agree in wishing to have convened
may eviuce the ability to act a part worthy
OF men holding the places occupied by Washington
and Henry and Jefferson by Madison and Monroe and
George Mason that every other feeling but that of pat
riotsm may be banshed from her councils aud that she
may speak with voice to our sister States both
South and North words of truth and soberness the Ian
guage of reason and moderaOnin language which will
command the attention of her sister States as when she
AMI Maryland took the initiative in that movement which
called into being present Constitution and Union.
Let Us call upon sister Southern States to unite with
ms in demanding in Convention OF all the States, such
additional guarantees Of rights, in the shape OF
amendments the Constitution, upon consultation
together the Southern States may agree upon Let us
demand nothing but what right. And the dominant
North refuse to accede to the call of National Con-
yent;on or if in National Convention she refuses to
grant our rights then will be UNSUITABLE at the bar OF
history at the bar Of poseriy and at the bar OF God in
asserting rights at the lannon's mouth and at the
noint of the bayonet. Respectfully yours,
MARSHALL.