Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-03
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVES DEPARTMENT,
December q. 1851.

and House Of Deiegdtes
Since the Adjournment of the General Assembly on
the day o. April last Virginia has Withdrawn from
the Federal Union, and has resumed her sovereignty as
an ind pendent State Tie reasons which impeed her
TO the adoption Of this NUMEROUS. and are
ample justify her action It Is sufficient to state that
the government which forefahers established was
government Of freedom and equiity-that 1t has been
subyer ed aniits aims and objects defeated Free will
AID tho consent OF the governed were the great pnc
pies lying at It's foundation. They never entertained
the idea that sscton OF the country was to be held
by subjugson under the dominion of the other Their
own history bad shown that they had freed themselves
from unwiss and upjus. legislation, from coercion aud
su ia aoD by their revolutionary sruggie-the noblest
and most glorious 10 ts results that has adorned the
pals Of history. They founded government Tor the
protection Of ALL which commended Itself to popular
approval aud around which the affections OF the people
we're closely entwined giving to strength, power and
fience. In the pure days Of It's existence II enjoyed
the confidence # the people and commanded the re.
spect OF the natiors Of the earth. So long Is 1t gave
protection, all were interested in maintaining and per.
petuang ib existence but when ceased to Afford pro.
tcton and the attempt made 70 coerce ard subJu
gate States the government OF foreathers
thrown.
We are in no sense responsible for the present con-
dtion of public oirs The Northern masses, maddened
By passion and H. med BY PREJUDICE, have pushed their
aggrsssions upon until every consideration OF duty
and patriotism requires 10 separate from them. We
desire to separate peace. We wanted but yet
had made up minds to vindcate our conduct on
the battle field il needs be- and trust to that God who
reefs the des,ines of and nations to guide US into
the pathway TO success and Independence So far He
hss watched u.s. guarded and protected Us in our
righteous resistance tyranny has 10 the coun-
ellis of our brave generals has stimulated our officers
and deeds Of noble daring and has crowned our
efforts with the wreath Of victory.
II would be idle consumption Of time TO present
all the reasons which influenced action In this
/ fam IN the nuhic mind and
under their influence the people of Virginia have pro
nounc'd their judgment at the pol; and, by majority
unparalleled, have declared for separation. The events
that have transpred since the 18th day Of April fully
attest the sincerity Of their convictions. am content
to their dcaion with poserty assured that their
action will be fully just'f d
The purpose OF tie Federal President to subugste
ard coerce us to remain in Union the great am aud
objects of which have failed has involved Us in war Of
stance. TO defect bis uuholy designs. We have met
his movements with frmness, resolution and courage
that become freemen 10 the maintenance OF their honor
their rights and their institutions We have defeated his
best troops and driven them in confusion and dsmay
from his own selected battle fields Bethel and Haynes
vile, Bull Run and Manassas, Rich Mountain and eau.
ley, Hsrpers Ferry and Leesburg all attest the spirit
the he6osm the patriotism and courage Of the volunteers
Of the Southern Confedeacy. They have proved them
selves equal any emergency, and have demonstrated
that they are worthy Of ustrous ancestors, who
struck the fist blow for freedom 10 the Western world
IL Us not WIN US 10 determine Tnetner ,ns war snah
DC OF iong or snort du'anon' We nave aec,oeu now
ever thas IL ca1no terminate uhti our en- 's sHah e
cogiz, fully aud uncondiionslly the independence Of
tie Southern GOufeieraoy Whatever OF men or mon
~ IL eHeu ~ ""'A ouS 'n's SUIT an 70 ouee',u'y
Iutnisu'G; ineIe can oe, ai. 'uoe wiz pe ~ So~Po
nse. We can never aEAi. 'y - Hil'nony anu 49,
friendly feelings for people Who have ruthlessy shed
southern blood upon southern SOIL in execrable
They have shown themselves our worst enemies, and
~ I -, ....H.,J g; hiood al !, on.h, q, ha
PM a-o IN, - paoonS,.u.
a nv. s'us w. y, pI 49, ;s \; -. :, &; - ~ -;
"ou 70 No. ue0'Ao'e @N'' '''N " "s''' Nv" 1-
PO,sloily'
~ % o wy, 1890 80, ~ rs-.L; - 80, - -
Wgorous Possouio1 y, 'uo VAT uaas o oHe
taat vigilance ano auu nonlng ies unaone
Inat pasrotsm anu prudence suggest neoessay 'of
our proecaon against actuA ana conlemPs'eo asgies
sons and entertainments upon our rigns. NO heseung
or doubtful policy viii answer when armies are 10 the hed
nor wiz 40 70 act aione on lneusiensve ns ousque-
hanhHn oeter hsheng noe ,or US ta. 'ue
slu tne s01ner .e war 10 pusneu ~ NJ
otter ior 'hgiia ~ ~ 'ne Svu N yiS
lnM ns h's' svn We % saw AZ. Ou'
ac,os slo" 70 ueI Peope n We se .D e ,,s
ana na We 70 a,o ,neui ~ ,ner
~ In 49,, 80 - =. ,ha ,S
S u o,t :, ~ =. - :, ~ . ,oSI,;r - -,
49, '.' IL 80 ho. soT ~ d;a T.; ,ha o,,p,
s ,i nh H ~, aPSn ne so' =. ". =, , -,
~. j .,,,.. Ia, $40, ;,,.j;no "a hahn, ;nv,dad
'HI u'. Va. Vs. a.,;. - -. ~. -,
AZ VI. NO os ~ ~. Nv
% sP.,s auu 'u'e ..e yno
oi 'nal slNe' III eoUipe iornu 'nu' ae'.y aiFr our
'rulhance OF secession was passed., a9u MAXI euuers
OF service 70 no 10 inc struggle, Wncn vas 'nen seen
to be unavoidable a more ga1ant set OF men Fever
'raeeu ohh ns o. anu seiIeis more ,rue' more cour
aseous ana NOR ihiu never struck oioWs ior iree
ION and ,ndependsnc' when their state was suoJuga-
tea icy iei. tnef homes families AGO ifenas came 70
Vifgns entered her ssr'ioe and nave ennoHed deVo
uon and hdsnty 70 toe cause worthy OF AL admiraion
very shortly aiter the secession on virginia, IN tne
full belief that governor HICKS OF Maryland would oe
dsp ssd TO unite with me IN the adoption oil SONS line oil
pony that wouii De calculated 70 give mutual protec-
non 70 our respective states sgaips' the
OF the Lneoia government, sent 1u'ge william W.
trump Vi t,s Guy QUE OF my aus ue mp' agenteman
OF nne iIellespce anu gret udence, 70 eorIer win
n Huo Hou os ms osurse VI s0yu ~
.ne .nru ea.nE u oJnp'noa Oi pubic ana,s "a oans
upon 'tern.s neA' 'uuss Oluip yer! so'u oeoaue
t1a, S"s - ~ "n sI'
anu use s Saas ;,H &
foht hoH CVliu Cttbb ueIsSh WIN eOusu-