The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-03
Southern News..The Progress Of the
Rebellion.

The Virginia Convention, on Tuesday,
the 10th, passed an ordinance of secession
BY As majority but it was not made pub,
lie until the 18th, and in the meantime pre-.
parations were made for the seizure of Har-
per's Ferry Armory, and the Norfolk Ma
Wy Yard. The Governor stopped the mails,
cut of telegraphic communication, and seized
the steamer Yorktown, of the New York
line, to carry troops to Norfolk, from Rich
mond. How he was foiled in his attempt
at Harper's Ferry is we'll known, but we
are in the dark as to movements at Nor.
folk, except that the Navy Yard is defend
ed by large naval force, and Fort Mon
roe, in is vicinity is amply guarded by Mas
sachusetts. volunteerssand regulars.
Gov. Letcber, on the 10Th of April, is
sued a proclamation, in which, after stating
that the action Of the President is unconsti-
tutional, he adds:
And Whereas, On the 18th inst, the Presi-
dent OF the United States, in plain violation of
the Constitution, has issued proclamation
calling for a force of seventy.five thousand
men, to cause the laws of the United States to
be duly executed over people who are no
longer part of the Union, and in said procla.
nation threatens to exert this unusual force to
compel obedience to his mandates; and
Whereas, The General Assembly of Vir.
ginia, by majority approaching to entire
unanimity, has declared, at its last session,
that the State of Virginia would consider such
an exertiOn of force as virtual declaration of
war, to be resisted by all the power at the
command of Virginia; resenting the sove-
reignty of this State, has reaffirmed in SUBJ
stance the same policy by almost equal unan-
Whereas, The State eff Virginia deeply sym.
pathises with the Southern States in the wrongs
they have suffered and in the position they
have assumed, and have made earnest efforts
peaceably to compose the differences which
have severed the Union, and have failed in
that attempt through this unwarranted action
on the part OF the President and it is believed
that the influences which operate to produce
this proclamation against the seeded States
will be brought to bear upon the Common.
wealth, If she should exercise her undOubted
right to resume the powers granted by her
people, and it is due to the honor of Virginia
that an improper exercise of force against her
IL
Letcher, Governor of the Commonwealth of
Virginia, have thought proper to order all
armed volunteer regiments or companies with
in this State forthwith to hold themselves in
readiness for immediate orders, and upon the
reception OF this proclamation to report to the
Adjutant General of the State their organiza-
ton and numbers, and prepare themselves for
efficient service. Such companies as are not
armed and equipped will report that fact that
they may be properly supplied.
Governor HICKS, of Maryland, issued
proclamation at Baltimore, on the 18th,
urging the people to withhold from any
steps which may precipitate them into the
fatal gulf of disunion.
The Mayor of Baltimore issued proc.
lamation of similar purport on the 18th
The same official in response to Gov. AN.
DREws, of Mass, as to the care of the bodies
of the volunteers killed at Baltimore on the
18th, telegraphed to Governor Andrews az
follows:
Owing to communications being stopped be-
| tween here and Philadelphia cannot send the
bodies of the men killed in the riot here, but
shall embalm them and keep them subject to
| your order. l and the Governor regret the
affair as much as any one but our people
viewed it as an invasion. The authorities ex.
| erted themselves to the utmost to prevent the
| riot but found it impossible. When are these
| scenes to cease Are we to have a war OF
sections. Baltimore claims the right to pay
| all expenses.
Governor ANDREWS replied that he is
surprised that peaceful march of Ameri.
can citizens over the public highway, to
defend their common country should be
aggressive to Baltimore.
Gov. JACKSON has called an extra
session of the Legislature of Missouri, to
meet on Thursday, May I'd, for the purpose
Of enacting such laws and adopting such
measures as may be necessary for the more
perfect organization and equipment of the
militia of the State, and to raise money and
such other means as may be required to
place the state in a proper attitude for
defence.
They had a monster Union meeting in
Louisville last week. The Journal contains
full report Of it. The Hon. ARCHIBALD
DIXON made capital speech. He said
In just cause he would fight for the South,
but not against his cOuntry-he had not the
courage to do it-he would not desert the
Stars and Stripes for rattlesnake flag. The
serpent had always been busy for ill; it whis.
pered damnable insinuations into the ears of
Eve and seduced her from her allegiance to
heaven, and the same serpent would seduce us
from our allegiance to our country; he would
tear that serpent and with his heel bruise his
head if ever its coils should be fastened
around the flag of his country. The rattle.
snake to the eagle-what glorious exchange
for the great American people.
which is part and parcel of the original terri
tory of the State. If they are taken into the
service of the government under this agree.
ment, they will remain on duty in Baltimore
and not be removed hence unless their services
are imperatively required at Washington,
whittier they can be transported in few hours.
- The following is GEO. D. PRENT1cE's
advice to the people of the Border States:
In this dreadful exigency, the Border Slave
States, if they are wise, will take their
position, firm and steadfast, between the North
I, ovl ~, LII .