Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-06-20
TO q PEOPLE or NORTHWESTERN VIRGINIA,
BY the Governor Of Virginia..
PROCI4MATJON

: A PROCLAMATION.
The sovereign people Of Virginia, unbiased, and
by their own free choice, have, hy a m%sjori.y OF
nearly one hundred thousand qualified voters,
severed the ties that heretofore bound them tc.
the Government Of the United States, and
united this Common Fealth with the Confed-
crate States. That our people have the right
ITO institute . new government, laying its
foundations OH such principles, and organizing
Is powers in such form as to them shall seem
most likely to effect their safety and happi-
ness was proclaimed By our fathers, and it is
q right which no freeman should ever -elin-
quis!. The State Of Virginia has now, the
second time in her history, asserted this right,
and !; is The duty Of every Virginian TO &C.
knowledge her act when ratified By such 4
majority, AID 10 give his willing cooperation
to make good the declaration. Ali her people
have voted. Each has taken bis chance TO have
his personal views represented. You, as well
as the rest Of the State, have cast yoar
vote fairly, and the majority is against YOU
1t is the duty OF good citizens to yield to the
will Of the Stale. The bill Of rights has pro.
claimed "lhat the people have Z right to uni
form government and, therefore, that no go2-
ernment separate from or. independcnt Of the
government OF Virginia ought to be erected or
established within the limits thereof" The
majority, thus declared, therefore, have a right
TO govern. But notwithstanding this right,
thus exercised, has been regarded by the peo.
pie Of all sections Of the United States as I'm.
doubted and sacred, yet the government
al Washington now utterly denies it, and, BY
tha exercise OF despu:ic power, is en-
deaTorins to coerre our people to ab-
jcct submission to their authority
Virginia has asserted hcr Independence
she will maintain it st eTery hazard. She is
sustained by the power Of ten Of her sister
Southern Status, ready and willing TO uphold
her cause. Can any true Virginian refuse to
render assistance? Men Of the North West, 7
appeal to you, by all the considerations which
have drawn us together as one people hereto
fore, to rally to the standard Of the Old Do
miaion. by ali the sacred tics Of consansuin-
ity, by the intcrmixture OF the blood Of East
aud West, by common paternity, By friendships
t,ailowcd by Z thousand cherished recollections,
by memories Of the past, by the relies Of the
great NEIL Of other days, come TO Firginia's
banner and drive the invaders from your soil.
There may he traitors in the midst Of you, who,
for selfish ends, have turned against their mo-
,her and would permit her to be ANONYMOUSLY
oppressed and degraded. But I cannot, will
MOI, believe that 4 mi jority Of you are not true
sons, who will give your blood and your trca-
sure for Firginia's defence.
have sent for your protection such trocrs
a. the emergency enabled me 10 collect, in
charge Of 4 competent commander. | have o..
dcred a large force to 60 to your aid, but | rely
with the utmost confidence upon your w
strong arms 10 rescue your fresideS and affairs
from the pollution Of 4 reckless and ruthless
enemy. The State is invaded II screrai points,
but ample forces have been collected to defend
her.
Theye has been 4 complain: among you that
the Eastern portion Of The State has enjoyed
an exemption from taxation to y0ur prejudice.
The State, by a majority o! "a, 900, has put
The LSo sections on On equality in this respect.
D. L display Of magnanimity in the vote just
given, tine East has, by 4 large ~majority, con-
scented to relinpuish this exemption, and is
ready to share with you all the burdens Of Gov
cranient, aud to meet all Nirginia's liabilities.
They come nos to aid you, rs you came in
former days to cid Them. Tine men Of the
Southern Confederate States glory in coming
to your rescue. lie. o:e heart, one mind, one
energy, one power. nerve every patriot arm in
Z con- :ion cSuSc. Th= heart that will rot beat
in nnison With Virginia now is a traitors heart;
the aru, that will not strike home in her CAUSE
now is paisirG by q coward fear.
The troops are posted a! lluttonsYiile. Come
with you: own good weapons and meet them
as brothers!
~ Given under my hand, and under
L.. S. the seal Of the Commonwealth, this
t~~> l4th day Of June, 1861, and in The
sJ;h year Of the Commonwealth.
JOHN LETClIER.
By the Governor:
GEORGE ". MrSroRD,
Sprretnr,- IF tho Iin,np,onu enlth