Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-02-12
Prom the Providence JournGl.I
A Rn6 nu,en An virginia.

In our Judgment, the ground which the
/ Yirgtnians take upon the secession ques-
ton is q much stronger cause for grave
solieitude than their position upon the Sla-
very question. odious to US as is their
demand for the indefinite expansion of
slavery in tall territory now held or here
after TO be acquired" compliance with It
would not be so surely and suddenly fatal
TO our government as the sanction Of the
doctrine that any State may lecede when
I It pleases. We fear indeed that the de.
| liberalization, corruption, aud ruin Of the
! government would ultimately ensue, &c tho
( Crittenden plan were adopted. But the
creed OF the seeessionistS strikes a deadly
blow nj the very life OF n compact repub-
licAu government.
| Now five could adjust all tue questions
about slavery 70 the present and entire
satisfaction OF our Virginia friends and OF
the north, of what avail would Il be, pro.
vided that VirgIuia declares her intention
of breaking up the Union whenever she Is
dissatisfied with any future steps which
the majority of the people may see ct to
take2 These doctrines, hich. even the
conservative men of Virginia tell us they
hold, are not those of Madison aud the
other noble Virginiaus who helped frame
our constitution. They would never have
old confederation, If they had supposed
that they were only to supplant it by an-
other confederation equally weak and in
efficient
We confess with sorrow that We dotnot
see how the North, which holds to the old
doctrine of constitutional Interpretation,
which believes that the sovereignty of the
federal government is within its sphere
just as b,olute in Virginia As that of the
State government, can live tremendously
with the South, il the South persists in its
adherence to these fatal secession princi-
pies. There is indeed an t.irrepressible
conflict" A difference upon almost any
other subjsctmay not be vital. But adif-
ference upon this point is fundamental-
The South may hold the exercise of this
pretended right of secession in allegiance
for while, aud thus prevent collision
and division. But in q country of such
vast extent as ours, possessing States
whose interests are, or are supposed
to be, diverse, if not antagouistic,
there cannot be permanent peace and
harmony unless there is a substantial
unity of opinion upon the relations of
States to the general government. It is
the conviction of this truth which makes
the words of conservative Virginians fall
upon our ears with inexpressible sadness.
Make as many compromises on other points
as we may, patch upns fair q peace as we
may, patch mp rs fair peace as We can;
they will be all in vain at last ;iF the men
who are now speaking for Virginia do
truly represent her sentiments, and if she
is resolved to nbide by them at all hazards
We know indeed that it is now becoming
the fashion of some Of the northern Demo-
Gratis, who cannot escape from their old
and habitual subserviency TO the south, to
approve of the secession doctrines, But
vail in the north. II they do, We return
to the old confederation or even to a looser
and more worthless form of gorernment.