Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-17
xnirit Of the Morning Press

The Irt.ylrg,nesr expresses Its approval Of the
policy Of the Administration in deferring to the
representatives OF the people In Congress the
question now agitating the country, and argues
that the course Of the Administration should
disarm all except those who have political In
t.rest in exciting the fears Of the people.
The RePKGiiean says:
at Is the threats Of politicians In Virginia,
portion Of them traitors per Sc, and another por-
lion OF them, well enough affected, but destitute
equally Of sense and courage, which have kept
alive the existing distractions to this time"
vIRsINra-Upto noon to-day, Ne have received
nothing foreshadowing the final action OF the
Virginia Convention, now holding their sessions
In secret That, of itself, s, however, bad sign;
ss 1t is hardlpossible that had the Unioniss been
able 20 control the body's action, they would have
thus initiated one Of the worst features Of the
proceedings by which the masses in the seeded
States have been iagrantly deprived Of their dis
tinctive American liberties.
It is palpably evident that even more extraordi-
nary measures to In duce them to consent to make
Virginia the battle ground upon which the civil
war inaugurated by the oligarchy shall be almost
wholly fought out, are now being essayed, than
ever before.
The speech Of r. A. Pryor, delivered In
Charleston, assuming TO guarantee that her Con-
vention would pass an ordinance Of secession In
day after hearing that south Carolina had fred
first gun at Sumter, aud the dispatches Of Gov.
Pickens grossly falsfyng the facts Of the collision
and closing with the question, " w hat will Viz
glnia do now ," as well the still more recent
dispatch 10 John Tyler Tor some other disunion
magnate Of the ConventIon), affirming Jefferson
Davis's readiness to transfer his headquarters to
Richmond in ten days, If Virginia would but say
the word, backed up By the frantic acts Of Rich
H. -I.N-
all 90 to prove this fact most unmlstakably
Nevertheless, we believe that Virginia will
surely pause ere inviting jefferson Davis to trans
fer the seat Of whatever civil war there may be,
from the territory Of those who make II, to her
own soil; as were be to make Richmond his
headquarters In ten days-in eleven days from
this date the war would necessarily formally be
gin within Virginia's limits Her act OF seces-
sion would instantly be followed by armed efforts
10 seize Government property within her limits.
which would necessarily be instantly resisted by
The United States.
Cool, isn't 1t, In the oligarchy thus politely 10
reques. Virginia instantly to immediate herself In
order that their territory may be saved from the
probable terrible consequences Of their own acts,
and hers be the battle ground. on which 300 0c
lpea may ct once fight out their quarrel.
kusoAs sxoA RIcgMoND.-Up to two O'Clock
p. N. to-day. we have further news from
Richmond on which we rely. We hear report:
that private dispatches have been received an
eouacing that the Convention yesterday evening
pasSsd q secession ordinance with but IL votes In
the negative, which we know well cannot bt
true.
We also hear that II was formally determined
last night in her Convention that she will no
seeede but will, instead, instantly her entir,
militia to repel the invasion OF her soil for any
purpose, either by the oligarchy, or by thu
Government
The Conssitution-:he danger of an invasion o
hsr soil being Enthusiastically authorizes her 81
TO do, aud though that course of action on he
part was probably not agreed on last night, re
ported, we think It extremely likely that 1t vii
be her course la the present crisis; as her Conven
tion have had occasion to do more really seriou
thinking concerning her future in the last thre
l-r-, th.- bsfnre. IL adopting that course
and promptly Inviting the OF the border slave
holding states to participate In 1t, they will on
and all instantly follow her example, and Wi
Inevitably thus save themselves from becomin
what the oligarcby desire they shall be--the sea
Of the contest.
II 10 the earnest desire Of the Government not
be compelled to nre another gun. If the bords
States do this plain duty to themselves, the oil
Earchy will not dare to follow up their war
suoh q manner a, TO compel the Government !
self-defence, to teach them the lesson they wi
Inevitably be taught IL continuing, unchecke
BY the border States, az they have begun.
Mon Law I'VE regret to perceive that the PEI
pie Of various localities yet loyal to the cause
thsiy eountrv ara no OF 10 he s