Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-05-22
LETTER FROM SENATOR MASON.

huM CGNa lOh plilDOAS. ssp5aEf
TO the Editor Of tie +" Ninehestersl Firginian." /.
The question has been frequently put to
me, what position will Virginia occupy,
should the Ordinance of Secession be reject
ed by the people at the approaching elec-.
ton And the frequency ofsthe question
may be an excuse for giving publicity to the
answer.
The Ordinance Of Secession withdrew the
State of Virginia from the Union, with all
the consequences resulting from the separa-
tion.s 1t anuulled the Constitution and the
laws of the United States, within the limits
Of this State, and absolved the citizens OF
Virginia, from all obligation Of obedience to
them. ,..s.sgn E,sa r-..- DOS
Hence it follows,--it this Ordinance be
rejected by the Peep e, the State of Virginia
will remain in the Union, and the people OF
the State viii remain bound by the Consti-
tuition OF the United States--and obedience
to the Government and the laws Of the Uni
ted States, will be fully and rightfully en-
forced against them. H-s -H Peg,
| Itiollows. Of course, that in the war now
cBrred on by the Government OF the United
| States againststha seeded States, Virginia
must immediately change sides, and under
the orders of that Government turn her arms
against her Southern sisters.
From this there can be no escape. As a
member Of the Union, Nil her resources oi
men and money will be at once at the com
mand of the Government of the Union.
Again For mutual defence, immediately
after the Ordinance Of Secession passed, 6
treaty, or military league" WAS lormed by
| the Convention. in the name Of the people
Of Virginia, with the confederate States
OF the SGuth-by which, the latter were
bound to march To the aid Of our State
against the invasion of the Federal Govern
ment. And we have now in Virginia, a
IIarpe9's Ferry, AMI at Norfolk, in face q
the common foe, several thousand of. tht
gallant sons Of South Carolina, Of Alabama
! Of Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi, WIZ
FASTENED to fulfil the covenant they made
and are ready and eager to lay down the
lives, side by side with our SONS in defence
of the soil Virginia.
If the Ordinance Of Secession is rejected
not only will this "military league" be annul
led but it will have been made IL trap Ii
nveigle our generous defenders into tn
bands Of their enemies.
Virginia remaining in the Union, duty
and loyalty to her obligations to the Union
will require, that those Southern forces shall
not be permitted to leave the State, butshal
he delivered up to the Government of thu
Union: and those who refuse to do 50, vii
be guilty of treason, and be justly dealt will
as traitors. g. ....
Treason against the United States consist
as we'll "in adhering to its enemies, and civ
ing them aid ;" as in leyyng war.
! If it be asked, what are those to do, wh'
in their cnnsciences cannot vote to separate
Virginia from the United States-the anSwc
is simple and plain-hunor and duty, allk'
require, that they should not vote on TIT
question--and il they retain such opinions
they must leave the State.
None can dnnht or question the truth %
what have written, and none can vot,
against the Ordinance Of Secession, who d,
not thereby, (whether ignorantly Or other
VISA vote TO place himself and his State II
the position | have Indicated.
" j. NJ. MASON.
Winchester, Va, May l6, 1861.