Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-02-07
Monday. February 4th, 1861.

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Monday, February 4th, 1861.
This day is, in all probability, destined to his
torca commemoration being signalized by the meet
ing of two important representative bodies, well as
by the holding OF election for delegates in Virginia
to State Convention upon whose action will depend
the future relations of that State towards the old Union
or the new Southern Confe1eracy.
To-day Convention of representatives from the SIX
seeding States of Alabama Florida, Georgia, Lousl-
ana Mississippi and South Carolina, will organize at
the Capital of the State of Alabama for the purpose OF
forming Conederacy and provisional Government.
The Importance of this movement can hardly be over
estimated and the rapid rate at which things have NOV
3D. can best be understood by turning back Tor very
few years, when such an occurrence would have been
regarded thing hardly within the range of probability,
and the very suggestion on par with Macauays pic
ture of future New Zealander sitting on broken
arch of London Bridge to sketch the ruins of ST Pauls
It is 10 fact the first step towards the formation OF
a new nationality confedecacy which, if once fully
formed can never again be merged into that which at
the beginning of last November stood united and IN
broken We do not to refer now to the events
which have preceded this last stage in the progress of
affairs We aude simply to the significance of the oc-
currence and its portentous aspects. North Carolina
has sent Commissioners to Montgomery but for what
end or with what object we might find some difficulty
in deciding. That these Commissioners will be treated
with all due respect have doubt but being invest
ed with powers they exercise none and can take
no part in the proceedings except on suferance The
gentlemen sent may be able, prominent citizens of
North Carolina to talk and consult 10 a private and
unofficial manner with citizens of The seeding States
but without the power to do say anything that could
officially pledge their State tangibiy affect the action
of the Convention.
The Commissioners to Washington City VIII to day
meet other Commissioners from other States in consul
taton over the affairs of the country TIE powers of
these Commissioners purely advisory and the result
of their labors amount to nothing more than sug
gestions backed it is true by the moral weight of the
position and character othe gentlemen then and there
assembled. The meeting cannot be full one. The ex-
IRENE South will not be there. California and Oregon
be there Massachusetts, and perhaps some other
of the New England States has refused to send dele
gates. 1t is understood that the delegates from New
York to the Peace Congress will do nothing promote
practical adjustment There is therefore but little
to be hoped or expected from this Congress.
and unrivaled geographical position of Virginia give
her movements at all times a large Influence which is
felt with peculiar force at the present time owing to her
situation as the Leading border State extending from
the Atlantic to the Ohio, and belonging alike to the
East and to the West. Upon her course much will de-
pend and the events of to-day will have great deal to
do with deciding that First-the character
and opinions of the persons chosen delegates to her
convention. Every foot OF ground viii be warmly
tested. Second The action of the Peace Congress
which meets to-day at Washington will not be without
effect upon the Virginia convention which meets n
Richmond on the 18th or l5th. The chances Of any
adjustment will be pretty well ascerained before the
Virginia convention meets at any rate before it ad
journs Third, the Montgomery convention which
meets to-day vii! lie closely watched by Virginia, es
peciay with reference to the African Slave trade Any
movement towards re-openins that trade would tend
greatly ALLEVIATE Virginia, would also absolute free
trade and direct taxation
The action of Virginia then will probably depend
very much upon circumstances, will! that of North
Carolina. For part really see nothing
whatever in the aspect of affairs from which we can de-
duce the hope of settlement from those having the
power to offer and make such settlement as can alone
satsfactory-such settlement will enable the NORTH
and the South to get along friends upon the basis
perfect equality. No other settlement would be wortl
having.
To-day the people of Virginia will also take vote or
the question of referring or against referring " The
action Of her convention to the people, Therefore it il
that the developments of the next four weeks will have
much to do with the action of that and other States