The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-04-26
Virginia Armed Against tbe Union.
BY THE GovERNoR OF VIRGINIA. PRocLA
NATION.

BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA. PRoCLA-
NATION.
RICHMOND, Va, April I8.-WHEREAs, sew
en- ol The States formerly composing part of
the United States, have, by authority of their
people, solemnly resumed the powers granted
by them to the United States, and have framed
a Constitution and organized Government tor
themselves, TO which the people of those States
are yielding willing obedience, and have 81 no.
tit1ed the President of the United States by all
! toTmaliiles incident TO such action. and thereby
become to the United States a separate, inde-
pendent, and foreign power,
And, whereas, the Constitution of tha HIM
led States has invested Congress with the sole
power ''to declare war;" and until such decla-
ration Is made, the President has no authority
TO call Tor ali extraordinary force TO wage often
sIve war against any foreign power and where
as, on The 10th inst, the President Of the Uai-
ted States, IN plain violation of the Constitu-
ton, issued a proclamation calling for force
roi seventy i've thousand men, 10 cause the law
OF the United States 10 be duly executed over
people who are no longer part of the Union.
and IN SAID proclamation threatens TO exerr this
unusual force to compel obedience 10 hIs man
oates aud whereas, the General Assembly Of
Virginia, by majority approaching to entire
unanlmhy, declared at lis last session that the
State OF Virginia would consider such an eyer
ION OF force as virtual declaration of war. 10
be resisted by all the power at the command of
FHgInIa, and, subsequently,, the Convention
now ~ session, representing the sovereignty of
tins State, has re-affirmed in substance the Sam.
PoHcy, with almost equal unanimity and,
whereas, the State of Virginia deeply sympa
thlzes with the Southern States IN the wronos
'hey nave suffered, and in the position they have
assumed and having made earnest efforts
PeaceaoIy to compose the differences which
nave severed the Union, and having failed IN
lua' attempt, through this unVarranted act on
lae part oI the President and il IS believed
'nat 'ne influences which operated to produce
'nl' proclamation against the Seeded States.
VIII oe brought % bear upon this Common
wealih, II she should exercise her undoubted
rlsht 10 resume the powers granted by her pao
PIE, anu 1t IS due to the honor Of Virginia That
an improper exercise of force against her peo-
pie should be rePelled Therefore, 7, John
Letcher, Governor OF the Commonwealth of
Virginia, have thought proper to order all arm
ed volunteer regiments or cor panIes within
this State forthwith TO hold themselves IN read
mess ior immediate orders, and upon the recep-
tien OF this proclamation to report to the Ad-
Jutant-General of the State their organization
and numbers, and prepare themselves for eff
Gent service. Such companies as are not arm
ed and equipped will report that fact, that they
may be properly supplied.
- In witness whereof, have hereun-
L. S. TO set nv hand, and caused the seal of
[ ~ the Commonwealth to be affixed. this
18th day of April, 1861, and in the eighty-flth
year of the Commonwealth.
JOHN LETCHER.