Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-05-17

Judge for herself in any controversy she may have
with the general government? Besides, what
will these jjectors say, when the Congress which
will assemble on he +th Of July, recognizes the
war declared by the President How then could
tho State Of Virginia escape tue necessity of fur
niShng the troops to assist in tho subjugation OF
the Southern States? While she was a member
of the Union. her obedience was constitutional
obligation But it must be borne in mind that she
had in the compact OF confederation conceded tho
right Of these Northern States TO secede. How
could she now, in the face of that record stulify
and disgrace herself by wag ring war against the
exercise of this conceded right? Under these cir
cumstances, was not demand upon her to do
this both injury and opprcssion2 But would it
have heeu prudent IN view OF oil the clrcum-
stances of the cnse, to have waited single nour7
A rupture was imminent; separation from the
Union apparently an absolute necessity. Forces
for the coercion OF the South were mastering in
Thousands. Soon Virginia would have been a
highway for the invading army. Was il not, un-
der these circumstances, simply obedience to tho
law of sol preservation to prepare for the i'm pend
ing issue? However may be disposed to ques-s
ton the motives of those who were most inatru-
mental in the producing those results. however OBJ
jectionable the manner in which the public affairs
have been managed may appear, let US not be dl
verified from the real question before US, by per-
influence our caImer deliberations. Let thuse who
ars outraged because Harper's Ferry and Gosport
were seized before the people had confirmed the or
diaance Of secession, remember that the battles OF
Lexington and Bunker Hill were fought before
independence was declared Nor am disposed;
in view Of all these facts, making the adoption OF
the ordinance of secession by tho people neces-
sty in vindicatinu of the rights and honor OF the
State, to compromise her integrity by calcuetog
~, ynrS "A
no fear for Virginia in these respects. L believe
it no less polite and safe than it is right for har
to secede. have not come to this conclusion
wtcout 4 struggle | have been devoted to the
Union. | have to the last cherished the belief
that the North was conservative. This hope has
been dissipated by their own dsavowal, plainly \
expressed both by word and deed. The South is
now only contendng for the right of self govern.
ment The North insists that willing or unwilling
we must submit to be governed by then.
As long rs it was u question OF voluntarily re
manning in the Union. it was debateable. But
this is no longer the question We are now call
ed upon to yield all We have been taught to
prize and surrender the heritage of liberty, be
uuethcd by our fathers. This is the inevitable re-
suit of submission to the government Of the U nj
ted States. The people Of Virginia are unwilling
to participate longer in the advantages OF that go
vernmont They are determined no longer to send
ting the laws, and consequently refuse obedience
to the laws. This is simply the assertion OF
freq people to the right of self government Shall
obedience to these laws be enforced at the point
of the bayonet? Shall the President of the Uni
ted States by the terror of standing army compel
the election Representatives to tho Congress OF
the United States. Or shall he, in the absence OF
representatives from the State attempt to enforce
obediencs to laws enacted by IL Congress in which
,,,o tod r q q Il
swer that she might have been represented if she
had chosen to DO so. This is hcggiug the CUES
ton She does not chose that is the point Now
shall she be compelled to do that which by the
exercise of her sovereign power she refuses to do
| am satisfied that the response to this question
viii be unanimous.
Peace is not so sweet as to DO purchased at the
price Of liberty, nor war with oil its horrors 10 be
appeased by iguominous submission. The opprcs
sion of Il military despot is none the less grievous
because he assumed the title Of Republican Pres
dent. nor slavery more tolerahlo under the Spe-
cinus name of constitutional restraint
1t is not to be disguised that we are forced to
a lanentabIe alternative. We have been aprosper
GUS and happy people, and zee hare fondiy hoped
that the Union might be perpetual. This hope IS
now vain. It il madness to indulge it. with ali
the glorious associations clustering around the
banner of the stars and stripes, it is but natural
self defence. Doubles Washington himself was
not inscnsble to these emotions, when tyranny
ilnnosed upon him the necessity Of humbling the
lar under which he had been proud to light, and
which, on The threshold Of his glorious military
career he had rescued from disgaceful defeat -
Initiating his example, let us be ready to sacrifice
all we have most dearly cherished in the defence
Of our rights and the preservation o.! our liberties.
my lit H. 0. CLAUGHTON.
A TTENIIGN.-Oflicrrs of the l75th Regiment,
n Virginia Militiu, Of the line, and those al
tached thereto, are hereby notified to meet at the
Armory. lover Major Vim. F. Palgert's STOREY on
Saturday, 9th inst, at O'clock, ?. NJ, for th"
election Of Colonel Of the l75th accustomed by the
resignation Of G.. L Stuart. Per order:
Adiutant Gen. w. II. RICHARDSON.
H. c. DORSEY, Lieut.. Col. Commanding.
J. p. CLARK. Acting Adiu'ant my l7-H
WYE CALL attention of Housekcepers and
w dealers To our stock Of fine S 4 Table Da-
mask Towclings Curtain Goods, Embroidered
Lace Curtains, Floor Oil Cloths, Piano Covers,
&c, with many very desirable goods. We Only
ask 4 fair price, and arc able to offer great induce
ments to cash buyers. .-.a.
my II AShB1 VOID.
GRASS SEED.-A full supply OF mixed Eng
SX liSh Lawn GRASS SEED, for sale by
LEADBEATER & CO.,
mo- II Nos. 5 and I, South Fairfax ST
PUMPKIN SEED; also, Waugh lIurtzel Beet, |
< and Ruta Baga Turnip Seeds, for sale by
LEADBEATER & CO,
mo II Nos. 5 and I, South Fairfax-st.
RESIDENTIAL ORDERS.
yEyHE TRAINING OF THE OFFICERS Of
/ the 18th Regiment will take place with those
Of the S5th Regiment, nj Warrenton. on the 9th,
18th. and 10Th days of May. The General Mus.
ter for the 4ith Regiment at Salem on the Satur-
day succeeding, (June lSt) ...-
HOWARD J. GIBSON,
Colonel fifth Regt., Y. NJ.
n. n RECTOR, Adjuiant. -r
Fuuuucr County, my l3--eo3t .- ss,."
red and white j u + j
= COW. The leather strap she wore. marked
ADAM ?0S King street, may huve beo. taken ott.
A lbcru reward will be given tor any ntorma-
ton concerning her.
M i6--co3t 4. &. ADAH.
tslnN kEWAkD.--Runaway from TIC sub
d EUD scribcr living in Wa'rcntou, Fauquier
county, Virginia, on !he ed March, 1851 a
negro boy named & hAISnN aged about 10 Or
II years about 5 feet i or inches high: dark
copper c"or--his eyes are CT IL yellowish cast.
HI had on wheu he left suit Of drab full iinsey;
. ,,;r IF np,v shines u black slnnch wool hat