Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-02
THE RICHMOND WHIG.
VOICE 10 VIRGINIA !-WRY Do WE GO
To WARE

To WARE
Is it because sectional party triumphed in the late
Presidential election? OF his we might justly complaint
Yet it is not tLa.l
Is it because Abraham Lincoln and his party have
proclaimed an "rrepressble conflict with the South
Though very wrong yet it is not tea.
Is II because OF the vituperaon anu abuse which have
been heaPed upon the South, by NOl1her- men
Though CALLING in the extreme yet i; is not that
Is i; because the North have not executed faithfully
the fugitive slave law? Though great breach of
faith, yet is not that!
Is because millions of Southern property have been
carried Oft by Ncrihern operators ov,r underground
rlilroads' Though exceedingly destructive to South
err interests, yet it is not that
Is it because the Administration Party have affirmed
their determination ";O place slavery in process Of
daal extinction; Though striking at the root Of
social system, yet it is not that!
Is because the South to be denied equal rights
and privileges with the North in common Terrific
ries No, il is not that!
Is it because efforts have been made to excite disoy
atty among our most faithful servants? No, it is not
that
Is because the South we're denied an equal share in
the public offices No, it is no that!
Is it because South Carolina and other States with
drew from the Union: No. it is not that
Is i, because of the adoption OF any measure or mea
sares by Congress luxurious Southern interests? Nc
| it is not that!
Is because the Coastuoael right of Secession has
been denied BY the Administration: Such riqht we
deny ourselves; hence, it is not that!
Is because We hate the North aud desire to reek our
ve7geaace, and gln. our malice upon them? Though
thousands have done and said enough thousand times
over, to produce slch effect yet no, no, no thank
God is is not ha.-nOr is it any al Of these COM
Jinsd!
| Vel, what is it
Our Revolutionary SIREs fought for and secured what
they termed "esrtan inaiieua5ie rights These rights
they considered worth the mos; costly sacrifice of blood
and treasure. They were
Ist Government must secure to its subjects life, lib
erty aad property.
2i. Government mus; derive its powers from the con-
sent Of the governed.
81 Government ceasng to effect these ends may, and
ought to Be, altered or abolished by the people.
TIE B-itish Colonies in America eff med that King
George Gil not afford them proper protecton-kat they
were not protected in the enjoyment of life liberty aud
uroperty-that the government under which they lived
derived not its powers from their consent and heucc
they would exercise their iuaenabe right to establish
goyerameut to saj themselves. They desired part
peace and only requested hl. they might be permitted
so choose their own destiny"
King George replied tha: the Colouies we're sujec's
Of the British Goverumeut-that the Government, not
tLs people could exercise the prerogatiye of defining
the powers aad obig atoms of that Government. Aud
if the colonies refused obedience the laws they should
be treated as rebels aud reduced to submission.
The issues thus made resulted in long and bloody
conflict, which terminated in acknowledgment Ofihe
independence Of the American Colonies.
The Colonies, composed Of thirteen sovereign and in
dependent States, for mutual protection, organized
GENERAL GoyERxNsSr clothed with certain powers all
OF wuicb we're derived directly from the of the
States and for the exercise OF which it responsible
10 the States.
After many years, several of the States from whom
the General government derived its powers part de
clare that that Government had ceased far as they
we're concerned 20 answer the ends for which they hal
established T.. and la. they no logger derived from 1t
protection in "i.e liberty, and prop-ry; - aad that
thev would Withdraw from it their d-.ss..ci powers
and ask 20 b, permitted in peace 10 cc5s, thos own
destiny"
Abraham Liccoln being President of tie Uaited States
gave assurances TO many worthy citizens o. 5esy.and
Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee that he did de-
gu to use the powers delegated to the General Govern
men to oppres or eoerce the States which had assumed
their sovereignty Under such assurance Virginia was
striving 70 effect neaceful solution of national trou-
Les while the seqae proved that Lincoln had been Sc
crey and perGlousy cOncocting schemes to subugate
70 his ,ci and Ghority the whole people of SOW
ereign AID independent States. HIS proclamation was
issued declaring that their ports should be bOckaded
their commerce should be cut o-their forts should be
seized aud reinforced and sy treated Rebels unless
thew would kiss the hand which them and bow sub
mis.iyely to his at,tority, within TWENTY DAYS!
1Dil the American colonies, guided by Washington,
Adams, Hancock, aud Henry, aiirm "that j,s. gov
erument can only derive its powers from the Of
the governed" The Southern States have affirmed no
more. Did the colonies declare that when Government
ceased to Afford protection to life liberty aad property
Il is the rigAt Of the people alter abolshit and int
tuts new one LAYING its foundations such principles
and organizing its poSess in such form, to them may
seem most likely TO effect their safety and happiness ??
The Southern States have declared asked for nothing
more. Did the colonies send commissioners and ask
most earnestly Of the British King, to suffer them to de-
in peace and choose their destiny The South
ern States have followed in the footsteps OF our ustr
Gus Ancestors in all these things.
Did King George refuse to treat with the Colonies? I?
So has Abraham Lincoln with the States. Did King
George endeavor to brbe the people into submission, by
assuring protection to all who would submit, and BY
branding all as Rebels who would not, So has lin,
con acted towards the South DID King George attempt
to eoercs the Colonies into submission, by blockadng
their pors by invading their borders by sezing their
ships and other property SO has Lincoln acted TO-
wards the South Did British soldiers shoot down cid-
zens Of Boston in their streets for opposing their march
through them So have Lncoln soldiers shot down elti-
zsns Of glorious old Baltimore, for doing the same
thing II there be anything wanting TO complete this
parallel, 1t Is the fact that what King George
the Third Of England did, towards the American Colo
uies was done by the right and authority of ruling
SOVEREIGN openly aud above board-whils what Abrs-
ham Lincoln hiss done towards the South hsS been zone
BY the authority ac9e, oi a sslteoNstitA'ed MILITARY
DEsPor in violation of pghted faith, and open contempt
Of the laws of God and mani
Commen, on these facts is supeTfGous. All must see
that the battle Of American Independence must he
fought over ag.in, and the Opeaing SCENES OF the
mighty drama nOs passing before US As the doal
and as every one hoped, successful effort of Virginia
was being made to save the nation from civil strife,
Abraham Lincoln despatched flee. to reinforce Toft
Sumter when be Ess sgeh an act would result in ciyi
war; Ba, the vulgar, staggering bIackguard, who oc-
,,ss ,b dental chair regards not the rights or