Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-22

collision between the military forces Of the United States
and those Of seeding Suite might involve the country
in internecine STRIFE We the Of change in
the administration Of the government with doubts and
shadows resting the policy Of the recipients OF
power.
Under these circumstances think Virginia should be
placed in position that might enable her to speak with
solemn and authoritative voice. than through an
ordinary Legislature. Through Convention she might,
on the one hand be better able check by appeal and
entreay to her sister States of the South the further
progress of secession and the other TO avert by her
inteposon any resort to force the part OF the Cen
eral Government. She might through the agency,
consider and declare the which, in her opinion,
should be adopted restore the public harmony, and
upon the acceptance of which, all the States South and
North, might their fealty the Union; and might
adopt and recommend such plans of interstate consua-
tions as would be most likely to prove beneficial.
At the same time, am not unmindul of the irregu-
larity in calling Convention by simple act of the Lee
gslature and of the dangers which might attend that
mode of proceeding. Heretofore, when Conventions
have been held in Virginia, it has been previous
submission of the question to the people themselves,
whether they would order Convention, on prescribed
basis of representation and for prescribed purpose in
Dictated in the act of submission the Legislature only pro-
vding for taking the vote the question Of "Conven-
ton or no Convention and furnishing facilities for
holding such assembage, in the event majority of the
voters should be found in favor Of it. know Of no
power which the Legislature has by act OF its
own to order the people of the Commonwealth, in whom
the sovereignty of the State resides to resolve themselves
into their original elements to assemble themselves,
in their sovereign capacity either in mass or in con-
venton Of delegates Such act of the General Assem-
bly, in the absence of vote by the people, for the call
of Convention, could only have the force OF a recon-
mendation.
In the pressing emergency of the occasion, I would
yield this objection but, at the same tme would in
sist on every possible security and safeguard against
hasy and improyident action. There is tendency to
ho into tha Of revOlutOn This NnnvpntOn
is to be held for Of two purposes--eher TO take
Virginia OF the Union to protect her against that
event. and the terms which she is ready to
remain in the Union. Now the mere election of dele
gates to the Convention will afford suitable test of
the opinions of the people to the expediency Of
cession 1t should be provided, sine qua nOn that
no ordinance or enactment of the Convention, for the
secession of the Commonwealth from the present Union,
shall be of force validity until submitted and rati
fed by the qualified voters Of the State.
take it for granted that the Convention il called,
viii be elected and organized upon the basis Of the
qualified voters, of the white population of the State
being the basis of the present House of Delegates
ranged by the existing Constitution of the State am
free to say that could consent to any
striced basis 1t will not be question Of contribution
but question of Union Disunion, that will occupy
the attention of the proposed Convention In this issue
every man in the Commonwealth has equal interest
and equal right 10 be represented and heard.
do not propose to enquire whether the right OF
State secession is right resulting from the nature OF
the Federal Government, and from the terms and
ner in which TIE States became parties thereto TO be
exercised by the seeding States, without co-reative
right the part of the General Government to prevent
the withdrawal; or, whether it be revolutionary right,
sabectng the seeding State to the restraining power
of the General Government and the hazard of conquest
am of opinion that the Union Of these States cannot
be advantageously preserved by force. fit to be
maintained by standing armies and blockading squad
rons, it will not be worth maintaining When or
States decide for themselves either that the gov
ernment of the United States has become an oppression
TO which they no longer submit or that further
connection with other States has become Injurious or
dishonorabe and withdraw from the Unon it is better
to leave them TO the teachings of the experiment and to
the hope Of reconciliation than by the employment OF
force involve the country in civil war; The inability of
the Federal Government compel unwilling State
elect and send members TO the two Houses Of Congress
Or perform the duties Of State within the Union; the
Of power TO force citizens TO accept and discharge
the dl,es OF Federal Off es and appointments within
the State aud the nexpediency and unconsttuonalty
OF making upon the States, such, or holding sub
ugated States APPENDICES the government present
usuperablo objections 10 the employment Of coercve
means OF retention
must rely upon your friendship and good nature to
pardon tn length of this letter The deep aud abiding
interest which feel in the topics discussed must be my
apology have lived al my days in Virginia, and have
rarely been beyond her limits. | love her, "a a
loves his mother. sy first duty is to her, and where she
goes BY the solemn Judgment of her people, CO. Her
destiny my destiny. But desire also 10 retain the
name and the privileges cf American citizen and am
unwilling give them up until every possible effort has
been fully made for their preservation.
God grant that our institutions both State and Nation
al may come on. Of this fiery trial unframed, only to
become tie deaier TO all, because OF the perils
through which they have passed and survived.
With great respect and esteem,
Yours very truly,
GEO w SUMMERS