New-York daily tribune., 1861-06-20
THE QUESTION IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.
SPEECH BY Mr.. CARLILE,
IN The HAeeiins COmr.ns,on, Jsae IA, 1851.

SPEECH BY MR.. CARLILE,
IN the HAeeiins COnr.nsson Jsae a. 1851.
think, Sir, that moments consideration will sat
isy this Convention that uIon this ques ion there is
less no difference Of opinion leween the advocates
separation Of this State. Il may be allowed, car
claim some credit for my sincerity, when say that i
has been an object for which have labored at less
since the wear 1850. The Convention that met in Rich
mond in that year ard adopted our present Stale Cor
stitution clearly discosec to my MUD, the utter In
compatibility consistent WITH the int-reste Of the peo-
ple Of North -WesteTn Virgins ia of remaining IN a con-
pection with the Eastern portion Of the State. And
Sir the first favorable opportunity that discovered IT,
self 10 me for affecting thai ar tion IN the Con-
yention that met in this city in May last. And |
appeal TO members who sre present, ard who Were
members Of that Convection, 10 say II did not zeal
ously presS that measure. Why did do it For tie
reason which then stated-fOr the rea on that now
prevents doiugii then sated that we were still
citizens Of the ed States accOroig TO even the the
ory of the Disunioriss; that separation could be
effected then by tie pIOi-ion OF The L. & Constitn-
ton providing for it, but when the I'D Of May came
and went and the Gun bad set bolind the bills IN the
evening of that dsy would be etranserr according
70 the theory OF tie Seee siOniss, TO another and dit
{erent confederacy and would he deprived OF the Con-
situticn of the Uried States AID tie mode and man
ner in hich separation could thereafter be effected
under tie authority Of these Secessioiss by virtue oi
that transfer could only he by treaty and recognition;
that al hough all Virginia should agree 10 the separa
zion vet she would have obtain toe consent of the
Southern Confederdey expressed IN sccordaboe with
the Constitution which ale bad adopted for lie govern
ment before could be allowed 10 transfer ourselves
to what they would then call another different and
hostile Government ] saw difficulties innumerable
and insurmountable If we did not act thel But the
wisdom of that body thought Other ee and grace
fully, as should, bowed TO its de lion.
Now, Sir, where are wei i call the attention of my
Friend from MOnongalia, and tell him If ne beats NE
In this of separation he will have TO be swifer
,hsn think he is. We have 10 Legislature low.
And mark you 1t only by the assent OF the Legrla
ture separation can be effected. The people them
selves through their representatives assembled cannot
ascent to separation. IL en- only be done as is pro-
vided in the Constitution OF the United States by the
assent Of the Legislature of the State. Now, SIR have
we q Legislature? Gov Leteier would say that we
have; aud It's member win be sworn TO support the
Constitution Of the Southetn Conf,de acy. Then You
See we can never effect separation IN the manner In
which we would have IN lisbed IL.
Now, Sir, let as pursue the Ioi'y laid down in the
declaration and let repudate Lecher and his trhDs-
fer let us assemble Legislature here OF our own,
sworn to support, not the Sout Confederaey Con-
stitution but that which Washington and Madison
formed the Constitution Of our fathers, under which
we have grown and prospered. us never people gre"
under that tree Of Liberty, waerea by the blood and
tears of the patriots OF the kevolution-plnted BY
them, its roots having taken deep and hTm hold IN
the bearts of great people, and having, from httle
SPOT on earth spread from the Atlantic TO the Pa Inc,
embracing, might say, eon,inen and spreading is
branches Of protection the whole unbonnded land
Let us organize Legislature, swearing allegiance tn
that Government and let tnat Lesi laure be reoog-
pized by the L. s. Government rs tie Legislature OF
Virginia.
TSen we have stlll direct recognition Of the pro-
tectne care Of our ancient Government, and ten we
will effect tbis separation. But now, with no Leeis-
lsture recognized az owing ale lance 10 the Constltu-
tion of the United Statee, We oond not do 1t But
with tho Legislature recognized Is Sill the Legislature
of the State; with Virginia III tie Union; with q
Legislature recognized by the Government OF the Z.
s. aud with lie assent 70 sefaraiion our wsy is
clear And if the Southern Coniederacy dsres 10 in
terpose have the strong arm Of that same old Gov
eminent to be thrown around us, aud to shelter Us
from harm.
Let us then go on as we propose. Let us be recog-
njzed a. the true and lawful authorities speaking for
and on behalf Of the oys peo of the whole state OF
Virginia. Give US that reooyrluon, and then the
teparation will And here say that one Of the
frst acts shall perform, Il NO one else does -aDd
believe 1t duty owe " tue peoi lie who have bon-
ored me with . seat In Congress. will lie to obtain
from that body legislative declaration recognizing
this Legislature you viii assemble hee, as the Legis-
lture Of the State then IT my fieds The repre-
sentsyes assent 10 it, and my word forit, We VIII be
the State OF New-VirgiIia.
IL is q mere Question now Of whether we shall walt
until We are solsanly recognized the true legal
constitutional representatives Of The people OF Virginia
or whether we shall now attempt an impoetibhy; Tor
every man who will reject moment viii know that
until rebellion s crushed assent viii be attained Tor
our separaton from the rebeoas portion Of t State
But Sir, there il another object which have at
heart. Two great objects influence and govern my
Actions. The frst am Tree 10 say the dearest, We
highest, and the nearest my heart Ii the Pepe'uy OF
Che Union.
Keeping forever undimmed the thirty four starr that
now deck the constellation OF our NATIONAL ensign,
tddng 10 them have done, star after star-when
tbai is done-wben safety ahd Ierpetuity are again
secured TO that 1ag-then we can consider our own
&tate interests; then consider the interests OF
Dor own immediate section OF this State; but until
0hen we owe il TO loyal trOthers throughout the
6neh and breadth of this great hnd 10 ssnd BY them
and aid them In resisting crime the grestest that has
ever been attempted TO be perpetraed on humanity
Let dc this succeed In this and we will succeed In
all We desire In very short tie. Let Us bring peace
again 70 our Loudoa, Alexandra, ard hampshirss
friends Let our brothers the mountans through
our aid and assistance and thai OF ts great and good
Government Of ours, again zee harmony throughout
the land; again sit aroupd their hearthstones with
their families, and again nsil in the quiet hours Of
peace the lessons the Father Of his Country has be-
queathed 10 rs In bis Farewell Address. Then we
may say to them: We love you s,ll as brothers, but
your interests and ways and ours are diverse. Let
this line be drawn between US. We will have two
separate and distinct sovereign States; but brethren
We win be American cirizeDsp y