Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-01-18
Letter from Gov. Wise.

We find long letter in the Richmond
Enquirer, from which we take the sub
joined extracts. After asking the question
how our rights are to be defended in tho
Union, lie says:
81 answer, that Virginia, when she
adopted the Federal Constitution and rati-
lied the same, expressly rcservcd The riyht
to resume the powers granted under the
Ccnstituton "sche"soevcr the su me shall be
perverted TO her injury or oppression.
would then advise tie call Of Il State
Convention 'n'ne''ia,cly, and by that body
OF the sovcreign of the State declare
tha1 ce.tnin essential ard vital powers
granted under tho Constitution, having
sbeen perverted to the injury and oppres-
sicn Of herself and other States and their
citizens, she does resume the powers so
granted.
81 would especially advise that she re-,
sumo the cessions Of all places for fonts,
"rsena!s, dockyards, I.gh, houses, &c, and
take immediate possession Of them; ma
king first formal deman,fsof the Federal
Government Hr delivery of possession,
aud if tha. is not done, then to take them,
necessary by force. No injustice Could
be complained Of in this, when we remem-
Der that Virginia can never obtain a recess
sion of Onio, Indiana, Illinois and Michi-
gan--tLe whole North west territory.
Is! would advise, in the meantime, that
the Legislature make instantly every prep
aration for defensive war, ufider the Sd
clause of the 10Th section of the lst ar,i-
Gle o! the Constitution, permitting State
to keep troops and slips Of war ii time Of
peaec and to engage'in. war, when ss:actu-
ally invaded, or when in such imminent
danger as will not admit of delay" Now
the 4th Of March is near at hand-we
have been and are invaded actually, and
our danger of further aggression is i'm
minent. =
In this attitude Of resumed pouers,
and Of preparation against inaminent dan
ger, acould not elecIure our rscl:es cut of
tie Union, but ecouA suspend aHrelatioqs
u'M c8enai"y States, until they accede TO
such ullimatum as our Convection may
submit.
To all.tlIis it has been objected that our
citizens may be tried for treason. The
answer is that they would have precisely
the same plea, on trial, that clizeus would
have i'll case of secession: tue plea that
they had obeycd the orders Of their sover-
eign State, TO which they owe primary al
leyance. If the sovereign State may cover
them with her ,cgis in the one case, SHE
may in the other. Black Espublicsps VIII
claim, be it remembered, that the .Slstps,
arg not sovereign 70 cover their diti Sin
si'lIer case; and the rcsul. id sss!l5fs slss
would TO the sa,ne-a revolution, and war.
The only difference would be, that in the
way of resistance proposed by me, we
would not shock the pious alrachnent, Of
our people to our Union and our fsSsand
we would unite them heartily in defence of
their dearest interests and honor: we,
you'd still be in covenant and cooperation
with such of our Northern frie7f6s as are
still faithful confederates; 'and We would
be q, warliko wall to resist and prevent
operations to coerce our Southern sister
States; be a.power to force our enemies
70 recede, ard nucleus, with the bleaing
OF God, with good courage and gdpa con :.
duct, to draw 'hack TO US the seeding
States, after hoporaLly saving our Consti-
tuition, our Union, our country, our all
This l believe can THUS be done, if We act
at onee with finn purpose, manly courage,
and prompt, s,aesita,ihg decision. lssus
ready, to s!"Fs @y all on the trial.
We are told that the remedy Is. not in
cur hands, but is with the North. EAa,,
too, is an error, (which will, il adopted:
lead US us into false step.Y We have
remedy which needssssnly TO be actively
applied, to be etsctdaI. No remedy is
With the North, except to secede. Hkat
tl'ey will not do, if3ever, dstil they are
convinced we are in!earnest. Our remedy
theirs ase part Of aggression.
remedies his own aggressioas
uaiibe is compelled. 'The defence. is surs.
asS3-Spe nust, ,,,ata II or a,,h,n;f IN ah.,;,o