Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1861-03-21

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Az ths Bsss~s.s We Jussiy s.vs q. Pr.
ciPisssiss ss~spapsrs a.A ps,isiris.s sss ssrrs
by szsrcis,d ~ present.. cheat . Ksnsd proc
Psesive s;a.psas- u car virxinia pspslss;u.
70 ths Gulf State. which shey ars fully sdvi.sa
u in active operation in al ths rural dis s,,~s,
Of tbs State Numbers Of the largest slsv,-
holaep are TO leave The State very sooa, and
many OF the most nouri.hinx agricultural die
triets ARE to be left a. dc.olaie A. the wilder.
ness of JsnAA'ca i-s-l,ss tho Convention forth.
with pass nm ordinance Of secession! We arc
told too. that thoasands and ,housansis of busv
hands, whrb now eor.siiiule sLs productive In,
Dor Of the state, '.rv TO be carried a~.y. and
thus ~aiiy' s"ee<iy will be left to tall our field.
and bisek our boots! Nov. this would b.
AWFUL inds'si Il IL bad any essential foundation
in truth. Bu, j, ]. HI tra.h-.ll g.nmoo-.ll
leather nnd prupella and Cor the good and nm
rnswersbis rcason thar. While Oh. politicians
may be knave. and dcsnoguyu-s. the People Of
rg'nia are not such fools. There !. no earth
" reason Why any man sboald leave the statc
and but fc~ will be ninn;c- enough 90 do 20. IN
account Of the failure of the Convention 20 pass
an ordinance ofseccssics. Ifsay thers be, Who
are fools enough To runaway from the STATE on
That account, we say. in Gods name. let them
Co. and go quekly-fsr. this god old Common.
wealth can Afford 10 dispense with all The fools
and towards in her borders. and be greatly the
gamer. both in point Of strength and character.
by the operation. f
Abiding 10 this old womans tale in rrfrr-
ence To the grand prospective stampede. and ad-
verting. also. TO the joyous and esuitans man
ncr in which the Disunion- Precipitation pap,n
Of tho State record and dwell upon Il. the
Grcesbrier Era, in an admirable arseir' on the
subject, speaks ~ follovs--wc simply AJAX.
what object can they have In view, when they
Pusi'sh such matters with 30 MECH exultation
and sclf'sa,isfaetionf II il that they glory to
see the Old Dominion bercft of her beat citizens,
her wealth exported and her fair fields desola
scd' Or is il To frighsen her citizens into the
views and policy entertained by those paper. |,
NO one, we think, will attribute the former
rs their reason; but the whole strain of their
threats goes to prove the latter in their sole rea-
son and object. Its certainly n very bad cause
that eompels its advocates to appeal to the
hasest passion Of man, fear, in order to sustain
u We had no idea that papers protesting to
be the organs Of the cAirairous, and the eusto-
dizns Of the honor Of Virginia, would resort to
such an unworthy exped'ent Tor the purpose Of
dragging" the citizens Of Virginia into mea-
surss winch they do not approve. We trust
these irrational and barbarian arguments will
be laid aside. and never again b brought nm To
influence The actions Of ViTginians Az for our
self, % long m we choose to remain in Virgin
IN, the threat that every citizen, good and bad,
would leave TN if we did not act upon their pol.
ICY will not brighten US cut of our opinions or
State Opinions may be changed by legitimate
and rational argument but . high-minded,
honorAblc and Intelligent people will never be
influenced by an appeal 10 their fears. They
viii scorn alike those who menace and the cause
which they present. We have an abiding con.
hdence in the integrity and discretion OF Virgin
ians, and know that no argument which il de-
signed to operate upon their fears will affect
that integrity and discretion. They will stand
by their eolors and bonor--,hey " i'll defend and
never desert the old mother OF States" so long
m reason and life remain. Their patriotism
." not OF that low and yensl kind which il ON.
! ~ nourshed by patronage, and the power To
rule; which denounccs the verdict Of three.
icurths OF her citizens as base and corrupt. No.
It u Of that higher orier-of that more noble
and honorable kind, which is willing 10 share
the fate Of Virginia. whatever her destiny may
be-io live and die upon her scil--if she is dis
graeed, to bear part Of her disgrace, and desert
her only IN the hour Of death. Then let " hear
no more Of threats Of leaving the proud old
Commonwealth Of Virginia. but rather lie. us
sustain her m the hour Of her trial and afilie-
ton.