Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1861-01-31
To the People Of Jea.r... C.,.,,
FELLow CITIZENS

FELLOW CITIZENS
Having consented Ia bcco,.
candidate of the Union party g.
seat in the State Convention. To h. ~
at Richmond on the 18th day of Fehrrs.
~ next, 1 deem II proper, with.a view
OF placing myself fairly before YOU 70
tender To you a frank exposition Of INV
views on the momcntous question.
which are agitating the whole Coun,rv
l therefore cheerfully aud frankly sub.
init them 10 your candid considcra,io,,
a. briefly ~ possible.
LIST. is 10 TIE right of secession.
do not now and never have beEev.
Ell that State possesses the "Const,,p.
honai right" Ia seoedc regard A re-
sort To 1t, as a dangerous er.ro~ If +,
very doubtful potoer, that can only bo
justified after every honorable and cor.
stitutional expcdient has been exhap,,.
ed, and failed.
End. is 10 the right Of ooerciag a q.
oediny state, by The geHcral gorernmcni
have at all times and on all occa.
sions maintained the opinion that IN.
Union of these States cannot be n,..
served by force; and Il one or mora
! States deliberately resolve 10 resort %
that dreadful extremity. either ne a
node or means OF relief from the ON.
pressions of the acts of the general GOV.
ernnent, or the injuries aud aggression.
OF thor sister States, il would be both
impolitte and unwise, at any time. but
especially 90 nOn to adopt any coercive
or rigorous course of public policy. to-
wards them. In the present sgitated
and intiamed- state of public feeling.
and 10 prevent collision and the eifusion
OF blood. sound policy dictates that It
would b. better 10 waivo the exercise
OF an unquestionable right on the part
of the general government 10 enforce
the laws IN the collection of the r.ve-
nue. defence of public property. &c,
and to either repeal or suspend her
laws within the limits Of such States
holding them severally responsible for
the safety Of the pubic property there
In, until their Independence NAV be "A.
sented 10 by Convention OF the re-
naming States, and their rights in the
pubic property a'nicably adjusted.
Here might very properly conclude
but permit me 10 remark, havo never
yet despaired of the Republic" II
can, It viii, and IT must be preserved
| have ever confidently looked forward
70 the conservative patriotism of Vir.
gina, and her sister border slave State,
as the great palladium of our safety
Ii Virginia will gallantly throw herself
into the breach between IT, North and
the South, and generously appeal 70 her
Southern sisters 10 pause for cousa.,a
ton. and call upon her Northern sister,
To retrace their misguided steps. and
evince by her calm and deliberate ccur.
sells all earnest and determined of!or,
not only TO demand her rights. bu, y
preserve the Union also. the troubled
waters will calmly receie and the grea:
vortex speedily close up. II YOU should
honor mo with seat in the Convention.
l shall earnestly cooperate IN even
measure calculated in my Judgment to
restore our rights, secure our peace. and
preserve the Union. AS the question
is now open, the future peace and hap
piness of the people demand an honor.
able settlement OF all the pending ds.
culties before the final Gdjournmcn; n
the Convention. ii such AN adiuS;Jnsr;
OF them cannot be. obtained in ;.s
Union, and Virginia casts her 10: out Of
IT. ! will go with her; her destny u
mine all that is near and dear to mes
within her limits; but. | still hope -
live III peace in her bosom, under Tie
broad folds of tho flag of the Nation.
Union floating triumphan,fy over che
thlrty.three States.
In conclusion, permit me 10 apre-
to every voter 10 require iby h,s y5'.
a reference Of the action Of the Conyr-
ton To them for their adoption or p.
lection.
LOGAN oSBURN.
January IS, 1861.