Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-15


their lives for the protection of his real estate,
worth millions of dollars. They are interested
deeply interested in all that relates to the pub
lie prosperity. Their prosperity, their comfort,
and the comfort of their families are dependent
upon the protection of the rights of property of
every Individual in the community in which he
lives. a ssies
have always reverenced the State rights doc
trine of Virginia. as inculcated in the resolutions
of '98 and the report of '99. 1 believe the doc
trines therein asserted, and the principles there
in affirmed, to be worthy of all acceptance. I
cordially endorse them, and, in so doing, en-
dorse the doctrine of secession. I do not pro-
pose to go into an argument in support of my o.
pinion upon this question. The subject has been
ably discussed for years, on both sides, and
those arguments are familiar to all reading and
well informed men. l am content to rest the
question upon the discussions which have taken
place, and leave the people to form their own
fer to it, in this connection, to declare my un-
qualified hostility to the doctrine of COERCION by
the federal government.
In my canvass for the office now hold, de-
clared my opinion frankly and fearlessly on this
question, and every man, in the State had the
amplest opportunity to be informed of my posi-
ton. In a written address ssto the voters Of
Virginia." issued on the 18th of May, 1859, I
stated, ssShould it be the pleasure of the people
to elevate me to the Office of Governor, l will
endeavor in my administration to carry out the
time-honored State rights principles of Virginia.
If at any time during my administration the Fed
eral Government shall attempt to interfere with
the rights and institutions of Virginia if it shall
at any time interfere with the rights of slavery
the rights of slaveholders in our State, will be
prepared, with the aid of the people, to resist
any efforts to coerce US into submission. / will
resist any attempt of Federal troops to cross our
line to execute such unjust, iniquitous and un-
cf;f Ioxu oifh fhor ix,U
other Southern State" My position now on this
question, is what it was then. 1t has not been
changed or modified. will regard an attempt
to pass federal troops across the territory of Vr
ginia, for the purpose of coercing Southern Sc
ceding State, as an act of invasion, which should
be met and repelled. The allegiance of every
citizen of Virginia is due her ; and when her flag
is unfured, it is his duty to rally to its support
and defence. The citizen of Virginia who will
not respond to her CALL is traitor to her rights
and her honor. -td
l am not without hope that the present difficult
ties will find satisfactory solution in the end.
Let the New England and Western New York be
sloughed off. In the last war with Great Brit
ain, the New England States entertained the
reasonable design of forming an alliance with
Canada. Let them now consummate it. At the
time the Hartford Convention met, the most
reasonable body that has ever assembled in our
country, it was declared in their report, ssWhen-
ever it shall appear that these causes (of our
lamites) are radical and permanent, a separation
by equitable arrangement, will be preferable to
an alliance by constraint. among nominal friends,
but real enemies, infamed by mutual hatred and
jealousy, and inviting, by intestine divisions,
contempt and aggression from abroad.'' The
cause of our calamities care radical and perma-
nent," and we are indebted to New England for
them. They are our ssnOminal friends but real
enemies ;'' they have originated more trouble,
caused more strife, and created more hatred,
dissensions and division in our country, than all
the other States combined. They have uniform
ly opposed the acquisition of Territory, and
consequently the organization and admission of
new States into the Union. If their policy had
prevailed, we should have had at this day the
original thirteen States and no more. All those
States carved out of the Louisiana Territory, the
northwestern Territory, Spanish Territory, and
Mexican Territory, would have been excluded
from association and union with US. They have
shown themselves the uncompromising enemies
of progress; they have sternly resisted every
tempt to extend our empire, under the fear that
ssTHE WESTERN STATES, MULTIPLIED IN NUMBER
AND AUGMENTED IN POPULATION, WILL CONTROL THE
INTERESTS OF THE wHoLE.'' Existing difficulties
furnish abundant reasons and the best opportu-
nifty for severing our connection with them, and
we ought not to permit the occasion to pass un-
improved.
A confederacy, composed of the remaining States,
arrange terms under which they can live harmo-
niously and happily together; and now that the Un-
ion is disrupted, should avail ourselves of this ia
vorabe opportunity to commence the work of recon-
struction. In commencing and prosecuting this i'm
portant work, must look to security the pro-
lection of institutions, and our domestic peace
Let the fabric he reared dscarding all rotten and
sound material, and exhibiting ordinary share of
prudence and wisdom in its fabrication and there is
but little reason to doubt that it can be constructed
upon fair and satisfactory TERMS and the rights and
interests the institutions and honor of all its members
can be satisfactorily secured We can form such
will the affections and
pathies of its citizens thereby securing for it foun-
dation on which it can rest in safety. '+
Such is my plan for relief from the difficulties, the
perplextes and the complications which environ
u.s. and present it for the consideration of my coun
| trymen. Every consideration of duty to ourselves
and those who to succeed US, demands that the
ouersy shall be be nalg settled. 1t can no longer be
delayed. M
The times require prudence, wisdom and patriotism !;
union, harmony and conciat ton. Every man should
be willing to risk himself and his future prospects to
uel the strife and restore peace to the nation torn
it by dissension and threatened with anarchy,
trusting to the people to do justice to his intentions,
even if they should think his Judgment in error.
In the present posture of affairs, it becomes to
cast about and ascertain in what way the interests of
Virginia can be preserved and advanced. 1t is neith-
polite wise to neglect material prosperity,
and permit to be sacrificed and destroyed by poiti
cal sectional brois This obligation upon is inn
peratve whether the Union shall continue to exist
be destroyed. In either event. material prosperi
ty should be with object of the first importance,
l
directed, &
We have the best port in the country; and no man
doubt, if direct trade established between
Norfolk and Europe it would give increased prosperi
ty to every interest in the Commonwealth. 1t would
secure for us commercial independence that would
prove of immense value in any contingency that might
occur The present and prospective system OF rail-
road in the State already points to the great north
west, and must become important part of the
immense net work of roads which now reach Kansas
and fast progressing towards the Pacic and the
svstem cOmplete will be entirely, almost
within the central belt from the Atlantic to the Pacf
ic Virginia then, whether in out of the Union as
it stands present. has in her power to place herself
the position in reference to this great Interior aud
exterior trade, which really belongs to her.
With ships sailing directly to Europe at regular in
tervals from the port of Norfolk, an import trade
could be established and importers in the interior c-
ties throughout the West, and some portions of ths
Southwest, would receive their supplies through this
channel These importations would all ass over our
railroads to their Intersection with the railroads of
other States especially those of Tennessee Kentucky
and some OF the Northwestern States The export and
import business would be concentrated upon the Vir-
ginia roads, and would thus insure to them contro
to the State, and good profits to the stockholders It
may be added that this commerce is already in exis-
tence and only awaits the easiest cheapest and most
expeditions means of reaching the Atlantic to be con
Veyed thence to all points of destination both outward
and inward
entirely satisfied that if direct trade were ca
tablished between Norfolk and Europe it would re-
suit in the enlargement Of cities the increase of
our agricultural products the development of our re-
sources the creation of manufactures the enhance
ment OF the value OF lands the opening of the coal and