Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-18
To CORRESPONDENTS.
Immediate DUTY Of the LcgI.lature

10 urge tutiu ~ AAaAc PtDAFt AZ" eA'N'S-~ ftNfe"
tiou. to meet that terrible event. We deem it in
cumbeni upon US under existing circumstances to repea
our warning and appeal The signs are far from being
auspcousOu the contrary according to our best udg
ment thew are darker and more omnous now than eve
before The recent proceedings Of the Legislatures o
the three great States of New York PENNSYLVANIA auC
Ohio and the and temper Of the leading Northern
politicians in Washington, indicate, clearly and unms
kaby, that the policy Of coercion in regard to all the Sc
,edng States, is the policy resolved on, if not by
the present Administration, at least by the President
elect bis advisers and supporters. And, what more
h seems, from the recent gvingsOut OF the Northern
press Of al parties and classes that the popular sent
nent Of the North is almost unanimous in favor of coer
eion. As proof Of what assert need ouy refer to
the significant declarations uttered within the last few
days BY leading Democratic Representatives in Congress
from the Northwes;-by Cox. Of Ohio Holdman Of In
diana, and NcCernand and Morris Of Illinois. AL Of
hec gentlemen conservative Democrats Of high stand
ing and have heretofore warmly cO-Operated with their
party friends the South but they stand upon what
appears be the platform of the great body of
their people home denying the right Of secession de-
handing the execution Of the laws and alleging thst the
people Of the Seeding States have committed treason,
and mus accordingly be dealt with traitors In 9th
NLlu- ttV FJN y SNflNlou II tle LAeu anu eelleu
policy Of the Northern States and people unless the tenn
per aud uiterances Of the press the Legislatures and the
politicians grossly misrepresent and belle the feelings
sentiments Of the masses in that section
If are right in the conjecture that force is to be
employed sgains, the Seeding States oy the Federal
Government the moment i, passes into the hands Of tie
Black Republicans If before then what is the press
Ing and immediate duty Of the people Of Virginia and
their representatives IN the present legislature BY the
resOuo- adopted by the General Assembly early last
week by almost unanimous vote the Commonwealth
and people Of Virginia stand solemuy pledged to make
cause with the Seeding States in the event OF
any aemp, on the par, Of the Federal Goverumeu, 10
coerce such States INTO reunion or submission This
We repeat. ,ae emn aud deliberate pledge to which
lGe leope and the state nave Voluntarily committed
themselves And lspedse must be redeemed. at what
ever hazard and sacrifice We are in honor and duty
bound 20 adhere 20 10 uadcr any and all circlm-
stance, and we mes. t-r re.ore prepare at once and
iuiy o. meet ,hc contingency it involves and which /,
nov exceedingly probable 90 For if we have not
mireld the signs Of the times a ,he North there is no
alternative ,if usn Tue event ct an Efforts at adj
'ustuolt falling before the 4.l Of &arch-but to look
she difficulties and dangers OF the immediate future full
in the face, and prepare for the worst.
In this view of the matter aud With solemn respou-
sbiiy the people whose lives and interests are all in
yoyed in what may be precipta'ed upon them We
again repeat urgent appeal to the members of the
Legislature to provide without moments unnecessary
delay for the military defence Of the State The honor
Of the Commonwealth and the safey:o her citizens ma
teray depend upon the prompttude with which the Gen
sral Assembly shall upon this matter Delay is Danger
GUS aud may be fatal and runous. Il is by no means
improbable tina! collision may take place between lie
South Carolina authorities aud the Federal Government
iu the course Of very few days It by i'm
probable that the presen, Administration may al
tempt "to coerce South Carolina iuto reunion with or
submission" to the General Government And if such
should be the case, Virginia aud the people Of Virgin
viii be called upon TO redeem their pledge ard resist
lst attempt at whatever cost Of treasure and blood
But should the present Administration not undertake
60 coerce seeding State should recOlset that the
Inauguration OF tue President elect is only Sly weeks
oil and that bis Inauguration will be followed, in all hu-
man probability by the promp, adoption OF the coercive
policy and strong and decided measures to carry that
policy elect In any event then there but LITTLE time
~ which to prepare for the e1gency before US At once
sereore-even on this very daythe Legislature should
cake this important matter 10 hand and carefully abstain
iuz from the consideration Of any other question
diligently address itself to the exclusive object Of militia
~ preparation and State defence.
We maintain indeed that the present Legislature so
far provision may be necessary for yiudic ting the
honor OF the Commonwealth, aud protecting the
lives. liberties, and interests OF the people, can do
more ,han a dozen Conventions. For whether Con
,enuon resolve stay in the Union go out makes
,rthy difference far the essential idea OF military
preparation is concerned. There is no virtue ia mere
paper ordinance Of secession raise either money or
armies, as the extremists seem 10 imagine And cousC-
uuer,y leaving the Convention 70 discharge It's proper
and legitimate northumberland t determine whether
the State shall remsu IN the Union seceje-the Leg
slture should promptly and boldly march up its duty
and make the most liberal appropriation for military pre-
peradon This thing should be done right away-it
should not be pos poned moment longer; for the pro
lection OF the honor the lives and the property Of the
citizens Of this Commonwealth should be the first object
and the absorbing though. Of their representatives in
the legislature Nearly mOath will elapse before the
necessary military preparations may be fairly under way
II the Legislature will forthwith take the subec; into
serious consideration, and ample appropriation
wl-e advocating ald urging ,peedy, 6aal and homo
rlbe adjustment OF the Re ug controversy, aud res
toriion Of peace aud iraterus. leen tween the
sections Of the Uuioo we feel that we but discharge
solemn aud imperative duty invoking the Legislature to
make immediate anieHeent preparations for cur!
I,t moi The Northern P,opl. be deceived