Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-04-08
The Question OF Reconstruction.


Revolution moves rapidly. Prior to the Presidential
election of last fall while it evident enough that
South Carolina would secede in the event OF Kepuo-
rcan triumph, it not certain that any State would
follow her lead; and each State took its position outside
OF the Union it still uncertain whether another would
go But the tide OF revolution vjened and deepened,
without reauN without much as eddying, except Tor
a brief space when Texas reached. The first ques-
ton was, viii any State 60 with South OarohnaE IL
was speedily answered by events. The next question
vas can they be induced retura No where, perhaps,
has this question been asked with more ardent hope
that il might be answered airmativey than in Virginia
No where is the public mind more reluctant OF eonyc-
ton that the Union hopeessly dissolved than here
Virginia has felt traditional almost asupersous ven
Grafton for the governmental fabric c which her own
sons were the chief builders But, repusnant to her
proud and patriotic sensbiies as may be the doubt i'm
Piled in the question whether the Union be restored,
il ia one that she cannot avoid When the last Congress
met il would have been easy thing to have won back
\ the seeding States. The adoption Of the Crtenden
resolutions would have been ample for the purpose
When the President was naugurated it would have been
| more difficult but still a comparatively easy work.
Every day the difficulty has been increasing and is in
,reaspc We will not say that it is impossible-we
earnestly and devouy that it may not bebut We
are obliged TO admit that satisfactory evidence
in the Confederate States that it possible The organs
of public sentiment there declare, with concurrence
spproxirang uuanimity that such expectation is the
extreme of delusou and folly They only declare
but they so act It is plain enough that they have not
been playing farce They have been forming govern
ment that they mean be sovereign and independent
They have been engaged in real work. not in counter
Mot of Safe craft What have looked upon has been
no stage pageant pictured panorama, but the move
m,ut of events the progress Of history-actual revou
ton not vet characterized by battle and carnage
but revealing az the great procession has moved
on. the guns all mounted and the matches all
burning What We look upon is a bO:n nation
strong brave selEreaut not looking back regretuly
or longugly bet around with vigilance, and ahead with
confidence. And this il a fact with which Virginia
fmilrize herself and TO which sic mus: adapt her
line of action if she expects that action to have nfu
ence.
We have been prompted to make these remarks by
the following article in the Savannah Republican, con-
sentative old Wing Journal that bated with might and
main foe the Union until in its judgment the battle was
vain The Republican is journal of perfect fairness
capdor and reliability Read what il says:
1--WE noticed in three Northern papers, which came in
Yesterdays mail articles going TO show that there was
growing up party at the South IN opposition to the
government Of the Southern COuederacy, aud iavOrug
reconstruction Of the United States. There was no
nroof adduced 70 confirm the opinions enuncated; only
gue assertions tha; such the facts but fear of the
equeuces kept the feeling from spreading As the
R-tJ caH up the last moment, opposed secession,
AGAINST the advice OF It's best friends, we feel that what
Ne saw now upon this subject should be entitled to
certain degree Of consideration. In common with thou
sands OF our feOw-citizens, We looked upon dssou-
ton OF the States with the constitution We had
been taught 70 the guardian OF each sovereign
STATE aud individual and our reputation abroad and hap
press at home make us love our whole country
wish that devotion which marks the patriot and 1t was
long before cogld believe it was our duty TO abandon
AN these and trust destiny IN an unknown ana IN
-ied dominion iut dreaded the alternative, the
means which were driving 70 is contamination were
sin more reuugnanC 10 was feelings similar TO These
which actua.ed those who sympathZtd IA cur opinions,
ard "a no now with feel that the step was wise one,
and in consequence should be endured under all circum
stances I'm fact, the most violent opponents We now
know TO reconstruction, are those who opposed seces'
sion the longest and strongest They are the men VINO
are always last 70 move, but when once their convictions
are changed they the most determined and success
fIl supporters OF u
our bi;tersst enemies have; to acknowledge their
iis,puo'ntment while at home, with constantly
increasing confidence IN ourselves aud determination
that having put hand 20 the plough will not look
hack are quietly waiting for the Lincoln administration
20 declare its policy We prefer peace at every hazard
except that Of going back into the Union This step
would sacrifice every principle that hold dear and
cain us the scorn OF those 10 whom would so iguo-
mniouslv submit and not obtain peace at last Why,
only look at the for instant from Southern
point of view How could consistently with honor 60
back now We would be pointed az everywhere as
peope who, having achieved independence, had basely
surrendered to escape from It's burdens and enjoy ease
a the price Of national dignity and national honor Sec
what a position Carolina has occupied since her success
fu attempt notification, and imagine the Growing and
- oh AZ arao rratur IN its
government Everything urges US to go forward, and
nothing 70 20 back Our people are united but single
sentiment prevails and that Is TO live and die with the
Southern Confederacy.
Georgia has emuence over her sister States by
the conservatism of her policy. No transient outbreak
ever disturbed her equanimy, but with Solemn step
and slow her decisions have always been taken and
when the large majority OF her declared for Sc
ccsson the remainder fell into the ranks, aud all
march shoulder TO shoulder TO common, and, we be-
heye, glorious destiny.
We write this in the hope that the North may dimiss
the belief in our dsaeeton and look at the matter with
unpreudced eyes, lift will not believe assertions
now may be impressed with their truth when e2ter-
minang war has left it conQueror over wasted cities aud
barren fields conflict aL arms secures TO us the PRIV
leges il now refuses us.
We are sure we speak the truth when we say that
should vote be taken on secession IN Georgia to-day,
1t would be more popular than ever
distinguished gentleman from New \ ork has been
travelling through Georgia for two months for the pur-
pose of informing himself upon the SUBJECT de Is
Union man. and being eogsged in commercial pursuit,
vas naturally thrown with those who would be apt TO
entertain opinions similar to his The result OF his
observations as stated US that he had found but
four men in tue State who Union men, and only
two of them for the Union at the time of dis
solution We beg those at the North who are vanlg
hoping for change OF sentiment to lay these facts 10
heart We ask for nothing but peace at home
We ask to De etaOne and when we knock for admission
back into the Union then it will be time enough TO write
about a change OF feeling here There was sentiment
abroad that revolution conducted by such ssngune men
as led ours would be characterized by excuses oil egs
htion in the formation our Government
But mark the result. When were statesmen more
calm 10 their deliberations wise in their eOncu
sions What has become of all the inquites was
prophesed would commit if secession were successful:
Wars and RumOrs OF Wars.
The Northern papers and kilograms continue to reach
US freghted with of vast military preparations
aud proximate war We know not what credit to attach
to these repOrs-wheh though circnmstantal are yet
50 monsrous and dabolea and involve on the part OF
the Federal authorities such indgnity to the Com
monweath of Yirgnia-hboring at this moment for the