New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-01-31

THE VIRGINIA ADDRESS.

dress from the Senators and most of the Represent
atiges Of Virginia to the people Of that State urg
ing them to prompt and decided action"
The Address shows, what was sufficiently evident
before, that there is probability of any fair or
honorable settlement Of the present difficulties.
It also shows that the policy Of coercion has
been determined on, disguised under the pretence
of executing the laws. In other words, if the Alb
olitionists cannot compel Mr. Buchanan to use
coercion against the South, which they are now
trying to do, they will inaugurate that policy be-
yond doubt. Immediately after the new Admins
tration goes into power.
In this condition of affairs the Virginia members
warn the people Of the State that the remedy
IS in their own hands, and that prompt and decided
action, only, viii avert an impending civil war.
We publish this Address in order to show that
the Representatives of Virginia correctly appre-
ciate the issue which has heenmade and that their
influence and counsel will be in behalf of united
South. The address points unmistakably to the
secession of Virginia, as well as her alliance and
cooperation with her Southern sisters in the forma
| ton Of compact and harmonious Southern Con-
federacy.
We publish it, also, with the hope that it will
serve to alIay the anxiety that has been to some
extent felt regarding the future position of Vir-
ginia, and the apprehension that she may possibly
consent to be tied to the rotten carcass of Adolf
tionisnl, rather than be member of the young,
healthy and vigorous confederation Of the South
which is soon to be established.
We cannot believe that yirginians will hesitate
when the choice il presented to them Of equality
ii Southern Confederacy, or inferiority and de-
graduation in the old Abolition Union. It is plain
now, even to the blindest Of the blind, that the
Union is dissolved-that all chance of its present
reconstruction is utterly gonethat there is to be
d Northern Confederaey and Gonfederacy Of the
Southland that each State of the Union must elect
which one of the two she will cast her lot with or
else remain in gloomy isolation as an Independent
5Gommonw The dilatory action Of Virginia,
which has caused some to be doubtful of her posi-
ton, is succeeded now by the voice of her leading
men, calling mon the people for prompt action.
with a view Of averting civil war from the South.
To that appeal there can be no doubt that Virginia
will respond with alacrity and irmness.
The Gulf States are not DESTROYS as has been al
legged, Of precipitating civil war upon the Border
States and z drag gingp them, against their will,
ont of the Union. On the contrary, Northern hos
tilities if directed against the South at ALL will
almost certainly be directed against the States Of
the Gulf. No troops will be marched through the
country, but they will be sent around by sea- and
landed upon the exposed coasts Of the Gulf States
from Florida to Texas. If the fight come. we our
selves will have TO bear The brunt Of it, instead of
the Border Stafes-as well because it would be
easier to wage an offensive war uponus as because
Northern hostility to this portion of the South is
-
States Of the Border.
d For many reasons it is desirable that the slave
holding States should now be united and should
pursue common policy. But the special reason
urged in this address appeals irresistibly to South
eru patriotism. The Border States have now an
of ayerting civil war. Encouraged by
their delay, and Elstakng it for Indifference, Aho
1tionism would promptly ATTEMPT to subdue the
extreme Southern States if the Border States held
Off But let the whole South present united front
of defiance, and the policy Of coercion would be
speedily abandoned. They might enaeayor to sup-
press what they cathe rebellion, 10 a fer the
Southern States-they would shrink from it as
against al of them. The contingency Of civil war
makes no difference with the extreme Southern
States, so far ns their policy is concerned. That
policy viii BIZ lNursued, no matter what the con
sequences. Not a man in the South is deferred,
by any apprehension Of war, from maintaining
the secession of his State. But we would rather
have q peaceahle separation than bloody one.
The States of the Gulf are resolved on dissolving
their connection with the Federal Government,
even though they have to fight for years to accom-
spsh it. But when the Border States may avert
this, as well as illustrate their own sense of the
unnatural Union. we cannot doubt as to the no
sition they will take. Especially weuld the people
Of the GuIfreoice if the old Mother of States, the
proud old Commonwealth, whose children in the
South, though far removed yet feel for her undi-
minished affection and respect, would do promptly,
what she cannot help doing eventnaly-east her
lot with her Southern sisters in a grand Southern
Confederacy!