Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-12
1 Word TO Southern itlcn.
IL the Etti!o,s IF Tie Fichmend EnqHirer:
MARKsvILLE, La, Jan. 90. 1851.

To the Editors IF Tie Hichmend EnqHirer::
MAREsvILLE, La, Jan. 90. 1851.
Gentlcmen-Whcn, in September last, (as
well rs recolcctcd, ] stated in Z coIumunica.
ton which your kindness gave place in your
columns that the only remedy Of the South
against the agsrc,sions of the North, was that
Of pcaceablc separation, felt some hesitation
in advancing the opinion, that in Louisiana such
was the general sentiment.
Events which have since tTanSplrcd have sa-
tsfied me that the impression then entertained
was well founded, AMI thar the ri ht will be
reSorted to.
The Convention has been called, and tine
complexion Of that body IS decidedly for scces.
sion.
True, IN Opposition ticket was gotten up, on
the fororn hope Of cooperation with the other
Southern States, and many delegates have been
elected on tka. idea; hut recent events that
have transpircd in other Southern States, and
our own, have disspated any hope Of IL co.ope-
rativc movement, and, with hut few exceptions,
the sentiment is universal, that separate State
action is the oply remedy left
Preparatory To the action Of our State the
Governor as you have already learned, has to.
ken forcible possession of all the United States
forts sni arScaals within the limits Of our
State, and is nov commanding them with our
own troops, and the complexion ofthc Convcn-
ton is such, that no doubt exists that the right
spirit is with it and that it will animate its
members to assert the constitutional rights OF
Louisiana as member Of the Coniederacv.
That body it is now known unites all the in
tellect, sound Judgment and patriotism OF the
State Men OF both parties are members OF 1t,
all ready to assert our rights, and by the tlme
this reaches you, the lightning line, swifter
than the wind. will nave conveyed 10 you the
intelligence that Louisiana, standing on her re.
served rights, is no longer one Of the limited
States"
The Cotton States, banded together by 4
common drsrny, and united by indissolublo
| bonds IF interest, fraternity and equality,
| what power whether within or outside Of the
Constitution is there to force ncr back into the
Union2
Can the North do il? In the language Of our
eloquent Senator, Benjamin, Never! never
nevcrw
Her Pelican flag now waves from every fort
and arsenal in the State from tler public places
and thoroughfarcs; and, ere long, she will take
her position in the proud galaxy Of the South.
ern Confcdcracy
Is there any hope that these "broken frag-
ments of dismcmbcred contcderacy' can ever
again Lc united: The hope is vain: for. with
the certainty that large majority Of the
Southern States will secede, how is the
movement met by the North: By con.
ccsSion to the constitutional demands OF
the South Nothing of the kind But in,
suit hcapcd upon outrage is the order OF the
day, and threatened coercion the measure OF
| polcv of the incoming administration.
Is there man so deadened to what is the
sentiment Of the North, as not to perceive and to
know that nothing is to he granted to the
South: Which OF the great leaders of the
North, who impress and control public opin-
| ion there, has moved an inch in the greet talk
| and effort to heal the divisions Ct the country?
| Not one AMI the whole mind O.; the North
is bent ON suhjugation, instead Of peace. Al
ready the Adrian resolution in Congress the
action Of the New York Senate the dcclara-
| tons of her Stewards, Hales, Wales and Truni-
bulls, ard her Leading presses, give ont warn
inv that the South cannot mistake.
Does any Southern man suppose that the
North 90 rot mean what they say? If there
be. let him cast off the delusion
The question Of interest here is what atti-
tude is Virginia to assume in the present as
meet of Southern affairs: Will she take part
in the great struggle now going on for consti'
tutional right, or succonb 10 the North !: Will
she be true to the teachings of her great states
men. or worship at the shrine of federalism
and consolidation
You, MessrS. Editors. may respond to the
question; but your Governor, in his recent
message to the Legislature, mas chilled all oil
our hopes that her course would be what we
had right to expect
After pnrtraying the wrongs Of the South,
and arowing himself secessionst and State
rights man, the only remedy to be recommend
ed By him would seem to be that which South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Lou
isiana, Arkansas, Texas and Florida either have
or will adopt But, no; he is opposed to calling
any Convention, but suggests the appointment
of rowing Commission TO the free States, in
order 10 obtain from them what they have in
every form Indignantly spurned. Why what
answer will be given TO these Commissioners
1t will be found imprinted in dark colcrs upon
their statute books, by their ire-sidc and high
er.law teachings 1t has been Numbered from
her pulplis and her roStrunas, her bench, bar
and forum, and in unmistakablc accents pro-
claim their undying hostility to the institution
Of slavery Your Governor may cry peace y
''peace"-therc is DO pence
Nor is Governor Lrtcher more fortunate in
his recommendation that tine border and West
err States shall form separate confederacy
The same causes operating separation be-