Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-08
reoognzed by teen oul Of ESQ thlrtyree sates com.

In support Oh my positon, quote from the message
of Governor John Floyd dated January 25th 1885, He
was one of the ablest and most reliable of the State
rights men Of Virginia. Though he has been taken
from amongst u.s. he has left behind him record
during as time;
But the call Of general convention Of the States
brings at once full before all the parties the compact
every doubtful disputed power of the Federal Govern
ment, in the mode pointed out by the instrument ITSELF
where all amendments could be made, and disputed pow
ers settled in spirit of kindness much more cougenal
to the harmony of institutions than that which now
in contemplation This ought 10 be accep
table to all gives full assurance OF peaceful days
hereafter and viii restore confidence to the mind OF the
patriot already TO long agaed with the foreseen disas-
ters of the coming conflict"
This recommendation was made at period in his
tory not unlike the present IL was made by states
of great practical wisdom, and of large political
perence. he Yirginian, in feeling, sentiment
aud principle Jealous of her honor true to her interests
faithful to her rights and institutions COOL calm and
gacious.
1t becomes our State to be mindful of her inter-
ests in the present deranged and unsettled condition OF
public affairs. The cotton States seem to be looking TO
their interests alone and why should we not look TO
ours! Virginia has immense interests, valuable and i'm
portant stake and it becomes to that those
interests adequately protected She occupies posi-
ton now, as she did in 1885, when she can mediate be-
tween the contendng parties North and South, and see
that fair settlement and arrangement OF existing
have her occupy position that would require the slight
est sacrifice of her honor, her rights or her institutions,
she that in all her future movements and asso-
Citations these securely protected Now that guar
antees the order of the day and each State is ear
nestly and anxously enqurng what guarantees
qured for her protection it becomes US to secure such
will protect and preserve the rights of persons and pro-
perty Of our citizens. disruption OF the Union is
inevitable aud if confederacies are to be formed,
must have the best guarantees before we can attach
our State 10 either OF them
The late Executive of South Carolina in his message
to the Legislature devotes considerable space
mentary upon your action respecting "a conference of
the Southern States" That reference does not appear
to me to be dictated by kind spirit 1t the
pee, of dissatisfaction with your decision and in con-
n'cton with other portions of the message indicates dis
trust Of and hostility his part, towards this Common
wealth. The duty which owe to Virginia demands a
notice of much Of this communication relates to
our State, and the action of her Legislature.
Why Virginia alone of all the Southern States should
have been singled out for comment is to unaccounta-
BILE. The resolutions of the South Carolina Legislature
asking the conference transmitted to all the South
States aud of those States responded except
Mississippi and Alabama. Why complaint of the
other States who declined to accede to the proposa?-
After careful examination of your resolutions since
the perusa OF the Governors message nothing that
could have entitled them the special notice that has been
bestowed upon them They declare, THAT the General
Assembly Of Virginia, recognizing in our present rela
tions with the non.savehoding States imperative
cessty for decisive measures does not yet dtrust the
capacity of the Southern States by wise and firm
else of their reserved powers protect the rights and
liberties Of the people and the federal Uno
For this purpose earnestly desire the concurrent
ton If the Southern States" The authorities OF VTg
MIA acted with kindness aud courtesy towards the State
of South Carolina and her estmlble Commissioner, and
in declining to go into Southern conference at that ne
they intended no disrespect to that State.
SOuth Carolina having determined her future
course without consultation with any Of her slave
holding sister states her late executive announces in his
message, at is too late receive propositions for
conference; and the state would be wanting in Sclire
spec after having deliberately decided on her course,
entertain any proposition looking 10 continuance OF
the present Union We can get safr better guar
antee thar the present constitution, and that has proved
mpoent to protect against the ianatcisin OF the
North" 1t may be too late 20 confer with her sis
tct states but there time when she could have
conferred with them with great proprety and perhaps
advantage TO herself and them The Governor states
that Col Memmnger was not sent to Virginia ITO plan
dissolution Of the Union, bu. TO save it, if possible -
Before she determined 10 preciptate dissolution, would
it not have been wise TO let Us know what was her de-
termination and have made effort 10 "Me
concurrent action Of the Southern States A. 1t is her
movement takes her southern sisters BY surprise.
The financial and commercial policy Of the federal
government in past years has have doubt in great
degree determined her action. The only specific alega
ton in regard to the slavery question, so far a. have
observed the conduct Of the Northern States in pass
ing personal liberty bills, designed to obs;ruct the exc
cution OF the fugitive slave law The action OF the
Northern States in regard this law is beyond all qles
ton, Just and proper subject OF complaint and even
denunc4 alton the part of all slaveholdng States and
especially the border States.
The faithful proupt and lust execution of all the pro.
visions of the present Constitution will not prove salts
factory to South Clroina. Believing she get nothing
more than the Constitution accord5 her without
making effort through convention of all the States
her Ia Executive soemny announces, 1T is too late TO
receive propositions for conference; that having de-
geratey decided Der course, scospect Orbids her
from entertaining any proposition looking 10 continu-
aace IN the Union"
The late Executive Of South Carolina is not content 10
announce this determination, but his recommendations
look 10 the embarrassment of every sllveholdng Sac
on the border which Is not disposed TO follow her lead
Hence We Gud in his message open and undi.gused
proclamation of upon the interests OF al the border
savehOdug States unless they unite with South Carolina
THE introduction OF slaves from other States which
mas not become members Of the Southern COnedcracy,
and particularly the border States should be prohibited
by legislative enactment and 10y this they will be
brought that their safety depends upon withdraw
al from their enemies and an union with their friends
and natural allies. II they should continue their union
with the non-siyeholding States, let them keep their
slave property in their borders, and the ouly aern
alive left them wall be emancipation by their act,
to relieve them from their embarrassing situation by
permitting them realize the money value for their
slaves by selling them 10 us and thus prepare them,
without any loss OF property, to accommodate themselves
TO the Northern free soil idea But should they unite
their destiny with u.s. and become the Southern
of great Southern confederaton--we
will receive them with open arms aud an enthusiastic
greeting. Should then danger approach their borders,
or an enemy open or disguised, make war upon them,
there is not doubt bu. living rampant Of freemen,
from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico would line their
borders and beat back the invaders"
Here we have The exhibition OF a determined purpose
TO coerce Virginia and the cher border States to follow
her example, and if they fail to do So then they to
be placed in such position will drive them 10 the
emancipation Of their slaves! This movement begun
osensiby for the protection OF slave property, Tor the
diffusion aud the preservation of the institution OF sla
very is be managed and directed now as to force
States holding slave property to free themselves from
BIZ enamel patton This is the avOwed policy of the late
Executive OF State interested in institution sane
toned by the teachings and preceps OF Christianity and
promOve of higher degree OF civilization aud refine
mentan institution that ought to be diused and
tended, and the permanency and prosperity OF which
ought be insured Can it be possible that such sug-
gestions can exert an influence upon the future action OF
either of the border Saesthst they can be coerced
into an union with those who thus manifest determined
purpose rule ruin them? They may rest satisfied
that such policy cannot control the action OF Virginia
She has the independence and the ability think for
rsef and her action, whatever it may be, will be the
result of her convictions Of duty. She is equally as
Jealous Of her honor South Carolina or any other
State and she will guard and protect it. with purpose
as resoluc and determined aud spirit firm and un-
daunted as uuyeldng and as exaciirg.
/ now propose to present, in contrast with these
views of the executive of South Carolina, the sent
ments announced by her commissioner in this capitol
on the l9th of January 1860 In his address he de-
clares, ~ can confidently affirm that such an inter-
change of kindly feeling yoH hare exhibited cannot
IL Ella