The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-12
VIRGINIA.
OUR RICHMOND CORRESPONDENCE.

OUR RICHMOND CORRESPONDENCE.
RICHMOND, Va, JAM 4, 1851.
Important Letter from Senator Masos-He Colnses Secs
sion as the Only Remedy for Erisiy Wrongs, and Says
That Virginia is PoU~rleSs 10 Sope The UnionRe Looks
70 Reonsratioss as The Only Remedy for the South, dc.
The following is the concluding portion Of letter ad
dressed by the Hon. James NJ. Mason, United States
Senator from Virginia friend in Winchester in this
State
The election OF abolition President 10y sectional
abolition party has necessarily compelled the Southern
States TO rely for their safety themselves alone and
thus we have SEEM in the exgency OF the OCCASION
after state acting each for herself and without concert
assembling in convention and preparing for defence.
Congress has been in session more than three
weeks; fun time and opportunity have been given
the abotonsts TO disclose their purposes and all here
are satisfied that they f not anticipated and pre-
vened) to carry their abolition execution
Nothing stay their hand but a firm and undivided
front in the South One state has already separated from
the Union. Alabama Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Texas and Georgia will certainly follow within the next
thirty days, aud probably in the order named.
In this condition of things Virginia be neither
trial nor passive The first of the Legislature about
to meet will be call a convention and the first
the convention to resume all the sovereign powers
OF the State by secession In fact the Union already
dissolved, and the only remaining question shall we go
North or SouthY On such question none can doubt
where Virginia will be found.
Powerless 10 the Unon Virginia may, by thus ar
ter States who determined to vindcate own no
nor and safety, aid in reconstructing Union with
pete and adequate safeguards against future abolition
aggressiens. believe further, that such prompt and
decided action her part the largest and popu
lous OF the savehoding States, would pr
tempt at coercion and war which would certainly be
tried on a divided South
write this letter amidst constant interruptions but it
viii suffice at least TO give my opinions 10 what
iore US ana now we are 10 meet u. Very truly,
This day was kept strict holiday in Richmond. Busi
ness generally suspended and divine services had in
all our churches The sermons OF the different clergy
men were essentially warlke-some of them actually
counseng secession and resistance federal aggression
The Rev. Mr. Hoge of the Second Presbyterian church
boldly INDICATED the policy OF resistance while the
Rev. Mr.. Duncan OF the Broad street Methodist church
rot only counseled resistance but expressed his read
ness to lead an army himself If necessary These
ments are fair specimens of those proclaimed in the
churches. The papers in the interior of Virginia. that
have heretofore favored conservatism and delay in
ton have this week out for immediate secession
seeing that all hope Of Cancellation had vanished.
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. s, 1861
hyo'sction Of the Asasama Commissioners 10 ne rayinia
legislature ty Gorenor Le'cher-A STATE Coaresior--
Secession Of Virginia Certain, de-, dc.
Governor Ietcher introduced day to the General
Assembly Of Virginia the Hon. Arthur T. Hcpk ms and f.
NJ Gimer, Esq, Commissioners from Alabama by trans
hitting to that body the credentials Of these gentlemen
| with the following communication
1 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Jan Z 1861
GENrrEMfN or THE SENATE AND HorsH OF DrfGArEs:--
Il
| tails Of the Hon Arthur L. Hopkins and r. NJ Gilmer,
lsqs distinguished citizens Of Alabama duly appointed
soners to the sovereign state Of Virginia consult and
advise with you and the Executive what is best
be done TO protect our mutual interest and honor
Circumstances which have occurred and events which
are occurring daily, surround this movement with
usual interest and than ordinary significance aud
importance ia times OF calamity and peril, when the
Of the nation is disturbed when panic aud distress
prevail IN the financial, commercial mercantile agricul.
tura, planting and manufacturing interests when the
aborer and artiss n, dismissed from employ mcnt are
threatened with want, and when the Union disrupted
and almost in the throes Of dissolution such consua-
tons as proposed may result devsng practi
cal and efficient Of relief from the evils now upon
| US, and those that are impending over us
In 1900 the question was propounded to Mr. Calhoun
Can the Union be savedS His was "The North
has only 10 will TO accomplish IT, to do justice by con
cedirg to the South an equal right in the acquired
tory and 10 do her duty by causing the stpulatons rea
tive 10 her fugitive slaves TO be faithfully fulfilled
the North no sacridce OF her honor her dignity or her
rights. The South asks nothing than her safety
requires and she will be satisfied with nothing less The
continued existence OF the Union, therefore, depends
upon the decision the North may make.
These gentlemen desire to address the two houses of
the General Assembly, and l am sure it will be your
pleasure to extend 10 them tina, courtesy They are
natives OF our beloved Commonwealth, aud now return
TO her as the honored representatives Of southern
ter state. Give them a cordial welcome hear them
calmly, and weigh dispassonatey the views they may
present. JOHN LErCiIER
This communication, with the credentials accompany
ing IL, were ordered to be printed.
OF
q committee Of fifteen TO bring in a bill providing for
the call Of convention as instructed 10 do by rsso
lption adopted Yesterday The committee applied for
and obtained leave 10 sit during the session OF tho
houses They accordingly retired, and in less than an
hour and half returned with bill duly prepared They
will not, however, report It until tomorrow II fixes
the 18th Of February the period the assembling of
the state Convention and the first Thursday in the
month for the election OF delegates 10 that body There
general conviction among all parties here that yir.
gnia will be out Of the Union on the 18th 10th OF
The Senate today adopted, with bat one dissenting
yoce-Alfred Caldwell, the black republican senator from
Wheeling tho anticocrcon resolutions which the House
adopted ON yesterday. The extreme and determined
tone Of these resolutions may be regarded proper
reflex Of the PREVAIL ng sentiment Of the Legislature
And when II is considered that this the same body
that refused year 10 into conference with South
attitude may well be deemed significant and rorenoas
The sense Of wrong which could so metamorphose the
sentiments and policy Of this Legislature must indeed be
acute and bitter. Members, who last winter shrank in
horror from any policy remotely sanconng pointing
70 disunion, as southern conference supposed TO
do, now zcaeusy support the most ultra They
are unqualified, unconditional secessonss doubt now
'if any proposition avail to change their purpose
The state has evidently determined to secee come what
may. The most ample military preparations win be
made TO meet any emergency thstmay follow the act Of
secession IL Is in,imated that sum cf ten millions
dollars viii be appropriated for purposes Of state de-
fence the money TO be raised the principle OF the
French Credit Mober by the issue Of bonds $50 and
The whole amount would be readily raised within the
state by this means, and IL each ones share was
loet Forever, WVulu DC seriously
mated by military men Of high rank State, that
by the 4h Of March, Virginia will have elective mi.
stary force OF 100000 men, fully armed and equipped.
Citizens who have purchased arms their account
are not included In this estimate. Those well informed
ID relation to the extent Of private individual
men put the number thus provided for at not less
100 goo more making the whole military strength Of the
STATE on the 4h 81 March, about 100000 When the Old
dominion y aroused she generally manages affairs for
crlsls ~ near perfection IL possible TO do TO- Her
moVemehls are slow but hor determination when she
Goes move ~ irresistible she full view of conse
quences and her preparations are commensuraie with
,le necessity ana demands Of the crisis Hence she s
Low inr pdsss' with her sccess scheme,
adequate 70 repe any aggression She Is evidently de-
termined 70 snow the North how futile would We av al
tempt 10 coerce the south prevent secession
learn that Governor Floyd prepar ing statement ~
facts concerning the policy Of Mr. Buchanan ~,
South, which he intends publishing Is sesgned a. an
admoniton 70 the SOUTH aud will, understand enbolV
ZONE revelations which viii give a new Impulse 10 ~