Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-01-08

another; then it is time for us TO resume orr
ginal powers, when one section, f,r the pnr-
poses proclaimed in Chicago platform and in
the speeches Of the President elect, has gotten
the machinery Of the Federal Government into
its hands, by electing Lincoln, 10 the end Of
changing every lever and cog.whecl in it.
As 10 obtaining new securities, if we do not
compel the observance Of the old, we will not
obtain any new worth getting, and will not
even intend to compel heirobscrvance in turn.
will not discuss the question, to which sec.
ton the State Of Virg ginia ought to attach her
self When she comes to that, | shall be de-
tachcd from her. 1t is not Il question with
become "all negrO' or belonging to the South,
would in time become the white man State
Of Southern section. leave that to time
aud natural causes; sufficient unto this day
arc its own double troubles. And if Virginia
takes up that question which the Frederick
meeting hopes she wiz deliberate upon, | ut
least, for one of her sons, will not follow her
lead, but will rush TO South Carolina or some
other heroic Commonwealth Of the South,
and implore the use Of i,er arms To save my
mother State from inefabe disgrace.
But cannot believe that her undegcneratc
sons will be driven from her household in Or
der to save it, live arc not Il ina jority TO con-
troll her destiny, we arc minority who will
not submit to see her dishorlored. II is appa-
rent now that we cannot expect united South,
nor Union of border States nor united peo-
pie in Virginia. As I said at Norfolk, repeat
here, that we must cease to expect all to act to-.
gether. Let as then begin TO take sides and act
apart Let the friends Of the South and re-
sistancs loo. 10 each other alone in their meet
ngs, resolves, and acts and let each State
leap into the breach by herself. There is no
other way to force OF to lead successful and
honorable struggle.
The third resolution at the Richmond union Of
all parties and opinions Of men, is more than
little like the complexion OF the resolves OF the
Frederick mecting-a sham resistance fortify-
ng the frmness Of the North, and curling their
lips with contempt at our hesitation.
The rumor Of the press is that cur own
Executive will oppose even the call Of Con-
vcnton, in his annual message. If he does,
then appeal to the friends Of the South US
they would save Virginia from humiliation and
shame, to rally themselves together ut Rich
mond in spontaneous Convention, and resolve
TO petition the Legislature to ovcrrulc the Ex-
ecutiyc's recommendation, and whatever that
body docs, to determine for themselves, alone
and apart, what side they will take in this un-
natural war. Let them be firm, and determined,
and devoted, and they can drag dishonor into
revolution here, or follow the foe to other fields,
where the honor Of themselves, at least, may
be saved.
There is one other danger OF which would
warn you. II Virginia will not, and docs not
WELD her sovereignty now and effectively, to
defend and protect property in slaves, its a5o-
Gtioa at once mW .rind adr0eatej GmoHg our
oun citizens, who are now shareholders, and
eagerly demanding redress and security
Many who are now demanding to be protected
by State sovereignty, whilst fighting in dc.
fence Of slave property, if they cannot obtain
it, will at once resolve not 10 own property in
n State where it cannot be protected. They
will be too proud to pretend TO be masters oi
slaves whilst they arc slaves themselves. They
cannot consent longer TO give orders to man
servant or mad.servant, whilst they them
selves have masters in Massachusetts,, Ohio,
Vermont or Iowa, allowed to dominecr over
and disgrace them in Virginia. An abolition
izcd.slave Commonwealth is the weakest Of all
bodies poitic. For honors sake, let lis he
ellAcr masters ouISclSeS, u! iec lhe so'' ~
once of negro-slaveS! Let us not consent to
be mongrels The issue hanging on thu mo.
mcnt is: Shall us be masters, or stall be
be sluceF No power on earth shall dc.
eide that question for me- | am ready
for the worst that may colnc-and am
sure that the bcst way to avert the
worst and to secure the best is for all who do
not mean to submit to wrong, to hoN couHcl
among themselves al0He Ia act in concert, ant
TO act at once. .4ny lead into "cti2m, ""T, Il
6rttcr than none.