Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-01-16
NEWS OF THE DAY.

VIRGiNIA.-The Legislature met on the 18th.
SOW. Letcher's message is of extraordinary
and is mild and conservatory in temper,
lie opposes secession for existing causes, is
opposed TO calling a State Convention, and de-
1ounccs coercion by the General Government |
upon South Carolina.
On the first day OF the session a resolution
adopted, appointing a committee to report 1
a bill calling a State Convention as soon as
A resolution was adopted, by liz ayes to
3 noes, 10 the effect, that when one or more
States determine under existing circumstances
to withdraw from the Federal Union, we, of
Virginia, are unaltcrably opposed to any effort
on the part Of the government to coerce the
same into a re union or submission; and we
will resist such an attempt at all hazards and
to the last extremity.
Gov. Wise is out in a long letter, in which
he advises Virginia to resume her powers of
State sovereignty, take possession of the forts
and a~rS,nalS within her limits but not to
declare herself cut Of the Union +! Then she
is to call Convention, present an ultimatum,
and suspend relations with all the States that
do not accept it.
ALABAMA.-The State Convention met on
the 9TH and was organized by the election of
secession officers. On the first day resolu-
tons were unanimously passed, declaring
that the Constitution Of the United States had
been violated by a majority of the Northern
States in their separate Legislative action and
that the election of Lincoln by a sectional par
ty who hold that the constitution of the U. S.
does not recognize property in slaves, and
whose administration is to be exercised against
slavery, therefore resolved that the State of
Alabama will not submit to the administration
of the said Lincoln as President Of the u. S.
upon the principles of the party which nomi-
mated and elected him.
FLoRIDA.-The resolution declaring the
right and duty of Florida to secede, passed
the Convention by a vote of SO to 4. The or
dinance for secession was adopted on the 7th.
The following preamble and resolution
have been adopted by the State Convention
of Florida:
Whereas, all hope of preserving the Union
upon terms consistent with the safety and
honor of the slaveholding States has been
finally dissipated by recent indications of the
strength of the antr-slavery sentiment of the
free States therefore, be it resolved by the
people of Florida, in Convention assembled,
that it is undoubtedly the right of the sever
al States of the Union to withdraw from said
Union at such time and for such cause as in
opinion Of the people of each State, acting
in their sovereign capacity, may be just and
proper-and that it is the opinion of this
Convention that existing causes are such as
to compel Florida to proceed to exercise that
right.
1t is reported that the forts and other pro-
perty of the Federal Government have been
taken possession of by the Governor.
MIss1ssrPPI.-The State Convention met on
the 7th. 1t is said the delegates are unani-
nous for secession. On the first day, a reSo-
luton was adopted, requesting the President
of the Convention to appoint a committee tc
draft an ordinance of secession.
, 4 resolution was adopted by which a com
l mittee of 10 was appointed with instructions
= to prepare speedily an ordinance OF secession
c providing for an immediate withdrawal from
the Union, with a view to establish a new
n Confederacy to be composed of the seeding
States. The ordinance of secession wal
s adopted on the 9th.
a TENNEssEE.-The Legislature of this Stat
is, in extra session. The Governor in hi
II Message recommends that the question Q
calling a Convention be left to the people
lie says that the remedy for the present evil
n exist only in constitutional amendments II
refusal whereof, Tennessee should maintain
Oh her equality in or her independence out O
lie the Union. He recommends an organization
of the militia, and the purchase of arms.
I'd LouIsIANA.-It is said that the election 70
nc members to the State Convention of Louis
&c lana, has resulted in the election of a ina
AT iority Of immediate sccessiOnists.
ie Ono. The Governor of this State recon-
ne mends the repeal of the Personal Libert.
bill and any other unconstitutional acts o
I'll the Statute books of the State, and says tn
Us Union must be preserved.
y New YoRK.-Mayor Wood has sent a me;
- sage to the City Council, recommending tn
- ~ secession of the City of New York from tn
na State, and the formation of a free city. Som
~ one else suggests that Broadway and FIT
49, Avenue secede and establish an aristocracy
of eSs-. Petitions are circulating in New Yor
State, asking for a re enactment OF an oil
an State law, allowing citizens of souther
Mt, States to have slaves with them, in the Stat
it. for nine months. Gov. Packer has recon
ty- mended to the Pennsylvania Legislature
he re- enactment of its old six months law, pr
tecting slaves for six months, while Sojour
on ing with their masters.
of MExICo.-Late arrivals from Mexico repo
nd that Miramon was completely routed on Il
in 22nd December by the constitutionalists, al
en-. that on Christmas day the Liberal army c
90. tered the Capitol. Puebla had also capitul
ted. Juarez had been sent for and wou
,iv- proceed to the capitol on the Sd. The W
tn, was supposed to be over. The City of Me1
G. CO was tranquil.
Se' From WASHINGTON CITY, d. C.-Secreta
eS'- Thompson it seems did not resign his seat
ths the Cabinet until the Sth inst. He assig
Al. as his reasons for rcSigning then, that troo
10y had been sent to Charleston without |
tne knowledge as a member of the Cabinet, al
ny in violation o. a promise made to him by t
) VI President, that none should be sent.
lair President BUCHANAN. The Alexandl
1t (Va.) Sentinel of last Saturday says ST
friends of peace deeply lament that the Pr,
d Of ident has fallen under the councils of Mess,
nts Holt and Scott. They have determind to
iced sumo a responsibility from which Gov. Flo
5 in shrunk back justly appalled-that of plum
lima ing the country in civil war.
that
re. HORRIBLE MURDER.-On the night of {
Use 30th ult, Mr.. Lucius Woods of Northampt
hey county, n. c., was taken from his bed
five of his own negroes, and brutally murd
sub ed. His body was then taken and deposit
in the woods, near the residence of Mr..
I. Stephenson.