Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-05
In the name Of the people who sent Inc here

In the name of the people who sent Inc here
repudlate this plan Of adjustment | de-
nounce 1t as an attempt 10 cheat, to swindlc
and TO de(raud the Snu;h. With these cyidcn
ces Of the temper and disposition Of our assail.
ants, 1t is vain to hope Tor Cancellation and nd
juStlnant. We must either submit to their
unrighteouS demands, or prepare to meet az.
erosion by resistance. Sir, the people, whom
| have the honor to represent On this Honr
have cherished feeling Of deep devotion to
the Union. They have been among those who
thought there must be madness in the brain.
or treason in the heart Of him who would rcnd
its bonds asundcr. They had iondly hoped
that giving peace, prosperity and happ.
ness to the whole country, it would 20 down
unimpalred to the "last syllable Of recorded
time"
So long as the Constitution, tn. great heart
and only bond of the Union, was Of power TO
accomplish the object, for which the Union was
formed, they We're prepared to stand around it
with those who stood last in its defence, md
while they had an arm, to strike in its defence
But, SIR, they have seen theritalty and power
oil that Instrument crushed out; they have
seen party elevated to power proclairuing
that there is law higher than the Constitu-
ton; they kncT that the power Of the Gov
eminent, perverted iro,n its legitimate
ends, Is to be welded for their uestruc.
ton; and now, sir, they are animated but
by one sentiment, and that is that there
should be separation Of these States; that this
Union should perish; that unlike the tabled
PhonlX, 1t rises from its ashes never more -
They desire that Virginia should now resume
the power delegated by hcr 10 the general
government in lis Formations, and that, having
done this, she shall in this great struggle take
her place, COME veal come woe. beside her
sister States Of the South. And the only
boon they would ask for her in severing her
connection with a broken and dishonored
confrderacy. is that she may be allowed
to depart in peace But if not il war
must COME, let it come and may God &c.
fend the right There are those who deny
the right Of State 10 Withdraw peacaLly from
the Union. We who hold the opposite doc.
trine maintain that this Government is :. vol.
untary association Of States that the States
having, in the exercise Of sovereg IN power. be.
come parties to the compact; may, III The cxcr.
erclSe o; the Saule power. withdraw from il,
whenever, they being the judge believe tina; coul-
pact is broken Virginia, ii least, reserved to
herself the right in deIegaiing power TO the gen.
eral Government. But b. 1ilis rs il may os
secession Constitutional right or not, we have
the right, which undrriicS tie declaration Of
our independence. The right Of people, in
the last resort, to resist oppression and wrong
come whence they may.
In conclusion, sir, ii this Government, the
nobleSt fabric ever reared Tor the worship Ct
human liberty, must go down in & iratriaidal
conflict. we OF the South, appealing to hst"rt,
may before the world, charge, without the fear
Of contradiction, that the responsibility rests
upon our Northern brethrea-that it is tue result
Of u wanton reputation by t;,au. ii the COW
enants of the Constitution. And now, sir,
come what may, may its God 0! t.ai,ies te
our shield and detrucci