The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-01-26
THE STATE CONVENTION.

TO THE VOTERS OF HANOVER
11>E.a CouNTY.-FELLow-CIr You will
shortly be called ON to elect delegates to Con-
veniion, which the condition of the South makes
necessary; Urged TO be a candidate for this coun.
the people should think my services Of value to
them. w ile the responsibilities of the position
are so solemn and important as not to be courted
the crisis demands that no man should withhold
his services, when desired by those who have u
light 10 request them.
Seeking no nomination, declared my senti-
ments to those who asked them, and did no more
on the 2sd inst, numerous body of citizens, of
al opinions aud sections of the county. convened
on duly published notice. at the Court House. TO
select candidate. AT the request of this meet
spoken Of for the position stated our opinions on
the subjects which will occupy the Convention.
part of the assembly, with one of these gentle
men, then seeded, but the bulk remained and
voted A large majority being for me- the friends
OF the others acquiesced, and made my nomination
you:
First. think that the differences between lhe
tive sections of the country should be speedily set
tlea IN q manner to Insure the Interest, honor and
safety of the slave States, they making common
cause and acting in concert Ibeieve in the right
oil sovereign State to resist wrongs clearly un
constitutional, in or out Of the Confederacy and
toror, in her right for such cause to secede from
the Union, and that the aggressions of the North
upon the South are unconstitutional.
Second. That there is no rightful power to c0erce
State resisting such wrongs, and that war upon
her for that purpose Is unjust aggressive and lille
GAL aud that so far from the Federal Government
having a right to make war upon her for resisting
morally entitled to the army and navy to defend
her.
Third That If the rights, safety, honor and peace
Of the South are secured by constitutions guar4n
ties, the Union should be preserved but that the
settlement should not be postponed to
strengthen our enemies and iniure us
The Le9is lature, desiring TO make another effort
TO save the UNION, has appointed Commissioners
to meet those of the other States, the 4th of
February next, in Washington, with view OF
agreeing on some plan of peace and safety
Should these Commissioners agree on an adjust
meut satisfactory to the SOuth. and Congress shall
accept tire same, then time should be given to car
~ out such plan in the manner provided by the
Constitution.
be made as Will insure peace, If anything Will, II
not, then at least the safety OF the South.
learn that my views, on the means necessaryt0
insure the safety Of the State, have already been
misunderstood and misrepreSented. 1t Is argued
that | wish 10 impose unnecessary burthenS gu
the Commonwealth, for her protection. ON the
contrary, what / want 70 do, Is to save money,
properly, and especially blood. 1t is emf
nently measure of economy, peace and safety.
The State is already pledged TO resist coerclon.-
Tie enemies of the S0nth will never be prevented
homes by resolutions, ordinances, or any other
mere paper bulwarkS. If Il costs too mucn now
to raise and instruct enough troops to defend IT.
gnia " hat will it cost to do SO, after battle has
been fought and lost by uninstructed troops? When
thousands OF her best Ilen and soldiers are IN
bloody graves ard millions of property has been
dest r0yed. The school boy who cannot figure out
economy and safety in preparation has made but
little progress either in arithmetic or common
sense. The proposed preparation Is not intended
TO he aggressive, but defensive. If the state de-
signs to submit, without security for the rights of
the south be il So but if these rights are to be in
sisted on, her safety should not be trihed with
and nothing insure 1t but the means of resist
ing attack.
These, fellow citizens are my views, briefly and |
frankly stated. q. w. RICHARDSON.
January "a, 1861. ia 26-u