The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
hcssage from Gov. Letchcr.

Inc following communication from Gov.
,Lstchsr, transmitting the proceedings Of the
Lsgislstufe Of the State of New York. &c.
cOmpanied BY his views thereon, was 70.
ceived in the Virginia Senate on Thursday.
January Gath:
- ExEcuTIvE DErARrhESf,
Richmond, January IS. 1861.
Gcntlemen Of the Senate and House of Del.
Co0tes I'll have received q communication
from his Excellency, Edwin d. Morgan,
Governor Of New York, enclosing presua.
BILE and resolutions adopted BY, the Lesisla.
ture of that State. :.
The first resplution declares 1thst the
Legislature Of New York" tenders % the
President of the United States "whateVer
aid, 10 men and money, he msy require 10
enable him to enforce the laws and uphold
the authority OF the Federal Government"
This understand 10 be l. declaration Of
their readiness and willingness to sacriica
the men and money of that State la the ef.
fort to coerce the slaveholding Ststes into
submission to Federal authority. The Cos.
ernOr and Legislature of NeU York ousLt 10
knoU that the ssOOrd neuer reconciled difsyen.
ees of opinion. Military coercion eau never
perpetuate the existence of this Union.-
When the affections of the people ara with.
drawn from the Government, an attemp, TO
coercion can have no other effect than 10
exasperate the people threatened to be COZ
creed. Blood shed in civil strife can only
enrich the soil that must speedily produce
"a harvest OF woe" s7
l cannot suppose, from what has occurred,
that the President OF the United StsteG
would be inclined to adopt a policy which
he must see and know could not fail TO re-.
suit in bloodshed. am satisfied that pru.
dence and patriotism would induce him 10
reject oil counsels and measures which
would be calculated to bring about so great
calamity. have no idea, therefore, that
ne will accept the tender which has bsen 90
inopportu"ey and os'entasiOusly paralcl be-
fore the country.
Nothing that has occurred in the progress
OF this controversy has been worse timed
and less excuseble. If the Governor and
Legislature Of New York desire to preserve
the Union, tender Of men and money uu.
der promptings OF passion, prejudice and ex.
element, will not produce the result. Ata
time like this, when the horizon is overcast
with clouds; when darkness and gloom ARD
gathering close around Va, and when we be-.
hold nothing but danger on all sides, some
little wisdom, discTetion, and prudence ID
expected from the representatives, of the
people. They ought, at least, 10 refrain
from adding fuel to the fame that burns
with utmost intensity now. It would have
been far better that these resolutions bad
never been adopted. .#
In 1898 and 1899 the action of Virginia
was marked by calmness, dignity and an
earnest desire to preserve the Union, With
out prejudice to the rights Of the States
No feeling OF resentment towards the other
States was manifested by those great mem
in that day Of peril and trial. No effort was
made to produce enlargement between tho
different sections Of the country, or 10 in.
fame popular prejudices. Their example 10
worthy Of imitation when events urs hurry.
ing US on SO rapidly into civil strife.
Nothing but sense OF duty has induced
me to transmit this preamble and resolutions
to the two Houses of the General Assembly.
The threat which is conveyed 10 them can
inspire no terror with freemen.
| JOHN LETcHER.
The message and accompanying resoIu.
lions were read, when, on motion of Mr..
Anderson,
RESOLVED, That the G ,vernor of Virginia
return the resolutions of the Legislature Of
New York to the Executive OF that State,
[ with the request that no such resolutions be
again sent to this General Assembly.