Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-05-28
For the Spectator.
The Union Party of Virginia.

The question Is frequently asked: what has
become Of the great Union party OF Virginia 2"
10 answer to this question, we say that the
Union party still exists, in tul force, with many
valuable accessions Fl ON the ranks Of those who
spurDed Us as submissionsts, tories and enemies
to our Southern country.
We claim no union with that party that would
break down one section to build up another; or
with that Administration that would reject all
honorable proposals to settle difficulty between
two sections of Republic, and be willing to
sacrifice noble and happy country to silly,
sectional Platform, erected by few political
demagogues and fanatical hypocrites, who. by
unparalleled intrigue and ignoble wire wor king.
succeeded in elevating miserable niscreant to
the Presidency, who, after calling around him
the vilest OF the vile, ignores the sovereignty of
States and denies the right of revolution for un-
reGressed wrongs. sss es
But we claim to be Union party under the
powers that be; and we have patriotism enough
to uphold and sustain that Government of which
we claim to be part, and in which we claim
an equal interest with any and every other SEQ.
ton, SO long as she is worthy to hold an horror
able station among the powers of the earth.-
But when by intrigue, corruption and usurpation,
she becomes polluted and unfit to hold place
among the civilized nations; when we find our
rights invaded, our institutions in danger, our
peace destroyed, and we can find no means of
redress, we then claim the right oil revolution !;
we step aside from the polluted fabric, and seek
freedom, Independence and peace elsewhere.
Our friends Ut the cotton States, whose inter-
ests are intimately COM ected with our own, on
account Of sectional wrongs and political grew
auces fanatlcal meddling and unparalleled abuse,
being thrust upon them and US TOR many years,
and persevered in with zeal and apparent ha--
tired that was continually on the Increase, saw
fit to sever the ties that bound them 20 the Fed
eral Government, and seek freedom and ndepen-
dence within their own limits.
They invited Us to join our interest with theirs
n struggle Tor freedom. We thought Their
action premature; we considered them rash; we
thought proper TO demand redress OF our grew
ances at the hands Of the Federai Govern nent;
we used all means tnat wisdom could devise, or
patriotic eloquence portray, to gain listening
ear and a iayolable response, and while these
efforts were pending we' were called any thing
else but honest mtD.g ESQ rffr7i 20 esI /. - 81
l. While one last effort was being made by the
friends OF peace the response came. lt was heard
&c Sumter! Iswas reiterated IN the proclama-
ton OF Abraham Llncolnl 1t was seen in the
preparations made bylhe Federal Government
to coerce the Southern Statesl And that re-
Spouse severed the last link that bound the Union
party Of Virginia to the United States Govern
menl. - 'tt
And now We are Union party in the South ?
ern Contederacy, and ever will be 30 long as
our patriotism is appreciated, our rights respect
ed, anc the Southern Republic worthy the name
she now assumes. 4 ~ .r ~,
Where is the great Union party of Virginia
The quick response to the cali to arms will an
swer. The appropriations OF the County Courts
will answer. The readiness OF the people every
whore to give their means and best energies tor
the defence OF the State will answer. Where
are they2 When the conflict cones--aDd come
it must-the crack of the rifle and the booming
cannon will answer, Here Here! ~
The craven-hearted wretch who now with
holds his means and shrinks from the response
hlity of sustaining Virginia in her present re-
lations, may be worthy the name OF submission
ist, tory, or an enemy to our Southern country,
but he is nos worthy place name in the
great Union party OF Virginia. -, Ill
A UNION MAN.