Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-08

it was given, at onco and forever to
leave tho Unior. That same spirit which
committed our fathers, in advance Of
any other colony i'll l7Gj, to tho principles
OF the revolution that spirit which commit
ted them, in advance Of any others in l77G,
TO the Declaration Of Independence /; that
same spirit which, after tho formation Of
the Constitution, impelled them in $3.50
to lead in a struggle for the restoration of
its primitive integrity A; that samc spirit
would have pointed US to our accustomed
place, IN the vanguard Of battle Tor Con-
stitutional liberty. | utter these words
not il the spirit Of rcproach, but i'll the
spirit of rcgrct--regret that the State has
lost a great opportunity Of flme-but | do
not acknowledge that any reproach can be
justly cast upon the principles, or the tenn
per Of her people. Her situation might
well have induced her to lingcr longer in
the Union ; her own peculiar relations to
ii her part in its formation |: her central
position; her variety Of interests and popu-
la:ion tho bur:hcn and the misfortune Of a
v;ulent party fcud-all these circumstances
would naturally produce greater delibera-
ton OIL the part ofthc Commonwealth ofFir.
ginia, than Of tho States TO the South, with.
out justifying sny reflection upon the spirit
Of her people-thcir love Of liberty or
their devotion to principle. Sir, the re-
proach will BIO deserved if, when the time
for action comes, she does no; then move
with the power, and with the unity, beit-
ting her strength and her fame.
We do not, however, sir, find ourselves
in that attitude. Neither States nor
individuals can isolate themselves from
the consequences Of events that tran:-
pirc around them. 1t is not for Viz
preserved upon certain terms, or dis
solved, If these terms cannot be obtained.
We are standing amidst the ruins Of the
onion !; the Union has been shattered, and
shere Is 10 human architect that eau rear
the temple again. \ number OF our sister
~Statcs-sevcn, soon in AL human probaLi!-
itr. 10 become eiSht-hlve not only left the
Union, but have actually organized a new
Union. and have established a permanent
Constitution. They are frequently accused
OF hot haste, in no; having shown proper
Difference 10 your opinions, and your feel
ings i'll changing their Federal Relations,
without appeal to YOU? II is more natural
for man, Lord Salisbury remarks, to
ccmMit two errors than to retract one. Let
is have the masnanimity to do justice. al
though j! may involve our own condrmna-
ton. Let Us bear in mind that it is hardly
twelve months since Mississippi and South
Carolina sent n mission to Virginia, and
that Alabama would have taken the same
course, had there been any indication that
II would be acceptably received.
The object Of this mission was 10 obtain
q contcrencc Of ali the slave States; I confer
cncc, by whose decision il wusexpressly de.
clarcd .hat South Carolina, as we'll as Mis-
s.Ss!2pi,woIlc be hound, however opposite it
night be to their own views ofthc policy 10
be pursued. Tho had previously, Uy Lezis-
lative resolutions, expressed their " con-
y!c'lon that, in the precise contingency
which has since arisen. and which was then
eminent, the Southern States should
withdraw from the Union. That the
responsibility of acting upon their own
Judgment i'll this grave crisis might not be
forced upon them, they appealed to Viz
ginla 10 meet them in general council.
Taxing no part by reason Of my oticia!
position, in the ordinary: contests Of party,
| was invited, 4 short time before this mis-
sion, to address, 4 public meeting in the
county G! Albemarie, composed Of gentle
men Of al! parties. Upon that o~:ca:ica I
expressed the opinion that it would be
wise ana proper for Virginia, in anticipa-
;ion OF the probable election Of q Black Re-
publican President, TO call together her sis
Ter slave States, that they might make n
um:non demand upon the North for sccuri-
u and indemnity, or withdraw in 4 body
f''Jm the Union. That declaration not on
j. exposed me 10 personal censure, but the
noble institution with which il was my for
tune to be associated, To unmerited hos:ili-
". IN rindicating myself: rs | felt called
aoon 70 do, from the charge Of unseeinly
and improper interference with the poll
ties Of the day, and procla!ming MI desire
. restore harmony and friendship to our
Il. r.ded people, / also expressed the ap-
r:ehension that in consequence Of the
ti7iscn and irritation which wolid result;
t..om our policy, 1 might outlive tho Union
aud Constitution or my country. For the
prudence and patriotism Of those counsels,
and the RESPONSIVENESS OF that apprehen-
s;ol, | this d., claim TIE melancholy vim
location Of time. But again, Mr.. Chair
AN, anterior to the election Of Lincoln,
acre was not the slightest indication Of
public sentiment in the border States from
.:hich the people Of the Gulf States could
have anticipated tina! another proposition
for conference would have been received
with more favor. No alternative was LEI,
70 them, but to acquiesce in our decision,
or 10 take such course As, in their ownjudg-
mcn;, might be requisite for the protection
O.! their rights.
believe it is stated in the preamble Of
the majority report that Virginia has more
interest in this controversy, than any othc.
State. take issue with the report upon
his point. | maintain That the cotton
,:a.es are more deeply interested than Viz
mia. So i.r as the number OF fugitive
slaves is concerned, the statistics published
recently, and said to be from official sources,
silow that the facilities Of escape by sea,
Irom the Atlantic coast, and By the Missis-
s:pp; and its tributaries il the S~outh-west,
are sIc that the actual number ofsia"es lost
TINS way, is about as great in those States,
in proportion to white population, IS in Viz
si:ia or Kentucky. But this is as dust in
the balance. compared with other consider
atoms.
The degradation of enduring 2 sectional
ascendcncy, will as deeply wound their
honor aud liberty, as it would wound our
honor and our liberty. On the great ISSUE
Of expansion and future protection to
slavery, they are more vitality concerned
than we are. They want future acquisi-
ton Of Territory, that the normal relation
OF the races MAJ be preserved for all time,
and tina! there may be no great struggle for
existence or supremacy between them at
any remote day. We arc in no danger Of
such Il contest in Virginia. The Southern
States will receive all our slaves, but the
Southern Territory with the Slaves Of Vlr-
GINA emptiod into it, will not be adequate
10 the peaceful accommodation Of tho
black race, which will be ultimately con-
cen:ratcd in its bosom.
Agriculture NAY :."ivs from the depression
cOnseq lpnr nl,:a u loss Of your slave ,rhor,
on. !. you cnnGae the slaves of the Cotton