Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-28

tanning oil that we have the right, under the Consu.
tion 70 claim they s persist In their opposition TO the
execution Of the lava and in stirring up rebellion and
treason think it manifest that the government piH fall
back the platform upon which We have just carried
this State to wit The Union, the Constitution, and the
enforcement OF the laws equally fairly, and impartial
" on all for then it will be a question between well
regulated government the hand and anarchy and
mob law on the other; for IL the government has
power collect its taxes duties execute its laws
put down revolution and punish treason then it is no long
err the government that formed by fathers and
the sooner the whole fabric tumbes to pieces the better
This Union, as far as my action will 60, must and shall
be preserved long it be done with honor Has
Virginia tamey submitted to dshonor for the last ten
years. and is she now only stimulated TO redeem that
honor by the precptae action of other States II not
what has arisen within the last two months
that makes it necessary TO call together the Legislature
order a Convention without authority, hold an elec
ton almost without notice. meet in Convention and de-
clare herself out Of the Union less time than is ordna
ry devoted to the passage of bill for the construction
of mud turnpike in the mountanss II war had actual
y been declared against us precpitate action
could have taken This too when public sentiment in the
North daily and hourly undergoing notifications and
petitions pouring in upon Congress to refer the mat
ter the people for settlement who say they ready
to yield all Just and reasonable demands for the sake
of the Union?
will not stop inquire how long allies in the Cot
States will be able to hold out and help after lead
ing us into the difficulty when their ports all bockaded
and their supplies of actual necessaries OF ie-of which
they purchase $3.50 100000 worth year from the free
States-sha be cut off will not stop to inquire whether
the world live long without their cotton as they
can live without bread will stop to show that both
England and France have already, by the Chinese war;
made arrangements for supply of cotton from that re-
gion of the world which, together with the supply from
the East Indies, will render them in few years indepen-
dent of the Cotton States for all these will be sub for
argument elsewhere but simply throw them out as hints
for Election and for making haste siOOy
What is to become OF that vast multitude OF natural
lied citizens scattered through the Southern States who
owe allegiance to the United States government
which is bound to protect them in every land, whether
at home or abroad9 Are they to be asked to commit
wul perjury by taking up against the Constitution
and the Government they have soemny sworn to sup
port they to be driven from the South as aliens
aud enemies to the newanged government that is to be
erected? 1t is question for grave elaboration to deter
mine what is be their status when separate from
our government and theirs If YOU the natives of Vir
gina your first allegiance to the state, surely they
owe theirs to the General Government.
To be brief am ready to sacrifice myself and live in
obscurty and poverty, deserted by friends for whom
would die rather than harm, if by such sacrifice can
save the rich legacy from Fathers, and the rghtiu
inheritance of our children. am ready TO hazard my
life il necessary, in fighting the battles Of Virginia in
Just cause but am willing TO sacrifice the best in
erests OF my State aud my country and the hopes of
oppressed mankind throughout the world in upholdng
South Carolina in bad cause; in wholly unjustifablc
and petulsnt within, which she avows she has INDUCED
for thirty years am not willing to rush upon destruc
iOn for misplaced sympathy for State that exulted
over the election of Republican President, burnt their
barrels aHd Illuminated their cities because it afford
ed them The pretert for rebellion and that has since vo
leny seized upon the Forts AIscnas, and ammu-
nition and money of the United States and has fired
upon and driven from her waters, unarmed vessel
bearing that flag of the Union which has borne tri
umphlutly through every and every trouble am
not one of those who profess feel such sympathy
will uphold her in such conduct. Yet would afford
her opportunity 10 retrace her iludeious step.
My earnest and urgent advice them is that Virginia
should remain in the Union, demanding all her coustti
toual rights the repeal Of all unconstitutional aws-or the
declaration of their nullity by the Supreme Court-and
Just punishment for those who shall resist its decisions.
Let her remain in and taking sides with neither, act
the part Of mediator and peace-makcr between the
extremes Of both sections OF the country. Recolect
that those who now beckon you on 10 destruction are
the same advisers and leaders that ured you in 1854
to insist upon the repeal OF the Missouri Compromise,
which has brought you to your present condition. That
WAS a grcvous error OF VII Oh you had timely warning,
but to which you would not listen; aud those who
ed you then denounced submssiOnlsts and
traitors to the South they Be not deceived
by the men again, who would now lead you into
one ten thousand times fatal and do not hcrcat
ter forget that tell you now when you give up your
all who are to come after you.
Ii This brief AID hurried exposition of my views should
meet with the OF the people OF Richmond,
and they sire call into their service at moment
when all the calmness delberatiOn aud philosophy Of the
most experienced and iaT sighted statesman should be
called into rcquston shall appreciate the honor, and
not decline the trust But, If they are bent on commit
ting an act of seidesIuctiOn that time, labor,
nor money repair and Involving this State and them
selves in everlasting RUM other than mine
~. II
will not commit the parricda act that would hand my
name down in dshonor 10 poserity one of the des
royers Of my country and of the liberties CT the peo
pie
| am with great respect, your obit servant
JOHN NJ. Bolts.
PSI have written this letter. because shall have
no other opportunity OF making my opinions known TO
the voters of Richmond-which have been greatly mis-
representatives. | am called TO Washington and
shall most probably not return until about the time
of the election. will be 10 be here in time to
give my own vote for Union men.
JOHN N. Bolts.