The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-07-09
WESTERN VIRGINIA DECLARATION

There is general misconccption Of what
is termed the "Dcclaration of Independence
Of Western Virginia" recently passed by the
Wheeling Convention. The ordinance,
which WAS unanimously adopted by that
body, does not divide the Commonwealth or
erect new State There is not shadow
of secession in it. 1t simply declares null
and void all the acts Of the Richmond Con
ycntion, dsposeS all the State officers who
adhere 10 and obey the mandates Of that
body, and restores the Old Dominion to its
former position in the Union. Here is the
Declarations
"The true purpose Of all governments is 10
promote the welfare and provide for the pro.
lection and security of the governed, and
when any form or organization Of government
proves inadequate for, or subversivc of this
purpose, it i The right, it is the duty Of tie
latter TO alter or abolish il. The Bll Of
Rights Of Virginia, framed in l77l, rcafirmed
in 1880, and again in 1851, expressly rescr-
yes this right TO the majority OF her people,
and c existing constitution does not confer
upon the General Assembly the power to
call a Convention to alter its provisions, or to
change the relations Of tho Commonwealth,
without the previously expressed consent Of
such majority. The act Of the General As.
.cmhly calling the Convention which Assem-.
bed al Richmond in February last was
therefore n usur1ation, md the Convention
thus called has not only abused the powers
pominTly entrusted TO it, but, with the con.
nivance and active aid Of the Executive, has
u.utpcd and exercised other powers, TO the
manifest injury Of the people, which, if per.
mittcd, will inevitably subject them TO mill.
tary dcspotism.
The Convention, by its pretended ordnan.
ces has required the people OF Virginia TO
separate from and wage war against tue gov
crnment Of the United States, and against
the citizens Of neghborng States, with whor
/ they have heretofore maintained friendly, So
cial aud business relations.
1t has attempted to subvert the ULion
founded by Washington and his co-patriots
in the purcr days Of the republic, which has
conferred un xamped prosperity upon every
class Of citizens, and upon every section ofthe
country.
1t has attempted to transfer the allegiance
Of the people TO an illegal contederacy o re.
bcllious States, and required their submission
to its pretended edicts and lecrecs.
1t has attempted to place the whole mill.
tary force and military operations of the com
monweath under the control and direction Of
such confcderacy, for offensive as well as de.
sensiye purposes.
1t has, in conjunction with the State Exc
cutiyc, instituted Wherever their usurped
power extends, reign Of terror, intended to
6 A., ,r.n : ,t
people, making elections mockery and a
fraud.
The same combination, even before the
passage Of the pretended ordinance Of scces-
sion, instituted war by the seizure and appro-
priation of the property of the Federal Gov.
ernment, and by olgauizirg anl mobizng
armies, with the aeowed purpose of caplur-
ing or destroying the capital Of the Union.
They have attempted to bring tho alleri.
ance Of the people Of the United States into
direct conflict with their sub rdinate alleri.
| ance TO the State, thereby making obedience
to their pretended ordinance, treason against
the former.
We therefore. the delegates here assembled
in convention TO devise such measures and
take such action as the safety and welfare of
the loyal citizens OF Virginia may demand,
having mutually considered the premises, and
viewing with great concern tho deplorable
condition TO which this once happy common
wealth must be reduced, unless some regular
adequate remedy is speedily adopted, aud ap.
pealing to the Supreme Ruler Of the Uni.
verse for the rcctitudc Of our intentions, do
hereby, in the name and on the behalf of
the good people of Virginia, solemnly declare
that the preservation of their dearest rights
and liberties, and their security in person and
property, imperativc!y demand the ieorgani.
zation of the government. Of the common.
wealth, and that all acts o. said convention
and Executive, tending to separate this com.
monwealth from The United States, or to levy
and cary on war against them, arc without
authority and void aad the offices Of all who
adhere TO tho said convention and Executive,
whether legislative, executive or judicial are
yacate ].