Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-31
North Csroiiaa-SOu,hern Sentiment.

TIE Ya1kae papers have frequently charged that the
great movement for freedom aud selfgovenment in the
South sas The work Of politicians, and had 20 tounda-
ton in the hearts Of the people They pretended that
the people were sganst and their standing proof Of
the allegation was that the Seeding Conventions refused
90 submit their acion the popular vote. Those Who
knew anything Of Southern sentiment knew the false
hood Of the charge they knew tha. The people Of
one mud-tbat they heartily eoncurrel in the action Of
their REPRESENTATIVES a1d did not wish to be subjected
to the .-oable Of voting it, They wished 10 ac'-to
give vitality and effect to what bad been decreed, and
not 60 waste moment or an energy AZ the polls The
same course was universally adopted during great
Revolutionary era. Then constitutions we're adopted
aud put il action by conventions without IN any case
being referred 20 the people. The Federal Constitution
itself was only ratified by conventions, never by vote
Of the people Of any State In Virginia, it adopted
in Convention by only 20 m-jor'ty-and, according to
welacc,ed.ei tradition in opposition to the wishes Of
a decided majority q the people.
Bur IN some States during the present great Revo'u
ton the ordinance Of Secession has been submitted Oh
rscty 20 the people theus Ives. This the case in
Texas where the M ioriy for its adoption reached Gfy
thousand The same thing has been done in Virginia
where the popular od.y vii. exceed largely one hun
dred thousand IN North Clrclni, the same result has
been accomplished in manner less direct, but, pos
.i6Ie more emphatic. There, Convention was elected
by the people expressly 10 vote for Secession; aud the
fact is exhibited unprecedented in popular elections. e2-
Oept in South Carolina OF every member OF the CJayeu-
ton 50 elected voting for the Ordnance OF Secession
Surely Il there be such a thing the rgh. OF self
government 70 which she years was fought
these people thus unanimous 10 assertogit are privileged
TO enjoy t. Bu. our Yankee brethren tel Us his is
great mistake; Is rebellion and treasCn-thlt the ouy
genuine sort Of setg5yernmelt is that which they may
choose 70 dictate to US! Thy are the gentry, who, 10
virtue Of their brute force are alone invested with
pateu. right o- issuing models OF sslfgoverumsn- T-ey
raise great armies AID threaten wish overwhelming
invasion 20 coerce TO enjoy this right Of self gov
ment according 20 t. understanding Of it. True tley
cover their designs under the pro;yx- th,t there is
Union pa-tv at the South oyerawed ard oppressed by
tyrsluieal minority sad they coming for their &C.
Eyeri1ce b., this Is pure pretouce-for they cannot
be ignorant o. hetac- that The very men, whom they
Insult With the tender Of their sympathy and oecd
viii be among the foremost 70 meet them with uu-ket
and bsyonst
TIE contest, strip OF sl Disguise is oao for fsg5joa
on the Que hand and d. g5isu on tas other. Tn
Of North Carolina and -u.l-gl05e ancestors q SIS
much as any egla, number this Continent 10 os,,b
Esh our Illegeuieace ere TOO vel versej in ccustu-
onll government and practical liberty 90 De teluted ay
words. They know t.- difference between govern
men, resting or tlt.. oTl col5cn. and a government
resting on Tart.s consent. The frs. IS liberty, tfels
Is dsspot9-. Wiha voice as finn end uritei as vss
ever ut;c-e ty free people, they have declared h
doterm nation 20 maintain the fss- die resisting the
D. f-FH -..rI, Nrs