The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-27
The Tribune's Richmond Correspondent on
the Convention,

Tue NUuNefltloH'
The New York Tti5uHG's Richmond cores
pendent, Feb. 10, has n long letter on the Vr-
gnia Convention, IN which, it seems 10 us, he
does great injustice to that body. He says:
"The fruits Of the late election for the state
Convention in Virginia are beginning TO ripen,
aud their character To manifest Itself. Their Gr>t
great result is shown in an Overwhelming defeat
of democracy, or, in other words, the utter pros
tration Of the oligarchy Of Shareholders that for
sixty years have donineered over Virginia.
doom Of Starery, and that RepuhlicanisIn, rising
upon its ruins, will dedicate to Freedom the g To-
Ions land Of Washington, Jefferson, Mason, and
Henry, and that Virginia, rexeneIated from the
thraldom OF niggerdon. may take rank among the
Free States Of the Union
THE Convention, demanded by the Slave Oil
garchs Of the East, has proved their destruction
aud instead of hitchins' Virginia TO the tail OF
South Carolina, will ultimately dctach her from
Of the Union, and ere long range her aoag the Free
States.
together misinterpreled. Rightly construed, il
has resulted for the Union bu; it has another and
far deeper Significance than the mere saving Of
the Union Til, election is Vireinias first voice
for flee labor. The W est has spoken, and, mighty
in the strength Of white men, has pronounced tor
the Ang lo-saxon against the African. The Union
sentiment has succeeded. but the spirit Of free la
Dor has triumphed. Disguise ii u they may, MS
election is the voice of the freemen Of Virginia in
condemnation of slavery, and what renders it
more significant Is the fact that every anti-slave-
ny man Of any note, whether living In the East or
over seeding southern Rights, pro-siayery oppo-
neuts The Northwestern delegates GitogeiheJ
nG-sare,y-d large bo5y9 real Genuine Republican,
men who VIII not unnecessarily shock the still
strong pro-siavery feeling of the State, but who,
by silent vote, viii steadily protect the rising
tlment Of slavery that has elected them"
The correspondent then proceeds to mention
names of members, who he alleges are en-
listed in the scheme of making Virginia q free
State, most of whom, to our certain know
no 81
ton as any men in the Commonwealth. We
do not doubt the West; we never have doubted
it but when it wants a Labor State, il
will apply for the division of Virginia, and
that application viii be granted.
The correspondent adds:
"As to Virginia seeding, that need not be thought
Of ia a9lv erent There 10 men In the CoIyen =
ton " no will vote TO remain with the North, and
81 Who prefer the Southern Coufederacy. There
is no erea that eou Iii Induce this Convention to
cede. unless il were some foolish effort Of Con-
gress 10 abolish slavery, which nobody xpacts.
Nor VIII this Convention attempt its extinction in
that mode but sfa tear secfes Of prntec
ton around 1t ty The Constitution, and Instead
Of its being the protected arst0cratie power in the
state, IL will be placed under The ban OF heavy
TAXATION, aud many dollars Of taxes made out of
Ii lelg il eeniains III he state. But this may
promise If triumphant Repnbiicanism can be
backed down by bullying, clustering secession,
how eau weak, struggling RepGblicanlsm in Vir-
a powerful and heretofore doIn interest, pos
sessad of ali the wealth aud influence, aud in
slsl lied III power? Helping friends seem never 10
have entered Into thu philosophy Of CON promising
Repub leans. And What can be gaiped by such n
policy Z? VIII II win back the Cotton States =
Certainly not The very timidty it evinces will
encourage them in Secession, for when once pow
er iruckies to rebellion. iss moral force is gone,
ard the traitors Increase their demands. Exhibit
The manhood thai the recent election Tor President
has elected shoe determinations to The pomer
constituli9galiy conferred, treason shrnks
back appalled,. and rebellion quails before its
tain pnnislmeDt The prompt Passage vi fore
bill would do mare to restore peace than all the Con-
ferences or National Conventions that could be
sembisd. The mere calling Of a National Con
ventian Ia an admission Of Justice in the vi
the seeded States, and weakens If not parayZes
the arm of Virginia Kepublieanisin. Every step
backward is loss Of ground, and every eompro-
mlse concession 10 treason.
We don't know who this correspondent Is,
whether u resident, or a yisitant, he knows
little of the Convention. We believe thai
| virginia, In the election Of this body, intend
Cd 10 proclaim her loyalty to the Governt.
ment OF the Union, so long as thai Govern.
Heat oil The Union can be preserved in harmo.
ny With the Independence and security of the
state, and no longer, and that the t,onyen.
ton VIII faithfully represent the public senti.
ment OF the State.