The daily Wabash express. (Terre-Haute, Ind.) 1857-1867, 1862-06-05
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4
Virginia.
The doctrine of secession had IL birth IN
Virginia. Her politicians were the first TO
euunciate the doctriDe. which by constant
gained strength. until il culmin
ated in the secession Of States, and the inau
guration Of a war. whose line OF battle stretch
across n continent, and girdles three thousand
miles of coast. A lifetime devotion 10 the
doctrine, by Virginia Statesmen had given it
AT later DAY John {. Cal
houn. the wizard Of the South. with an inor-
dnate ambition Tor the organization OF
great Southern confederacy, became the
advocate Of State Sovereignty, as the surest
means OF severing the Union, and over
whelming in general despair the fondest |
hopes ofcivilized man. And again Virginia |
We'd with South Carolina Ia her devotion TO
the dogma. Of the right Of a State TO SO cede
from the Union at discretion, and establish
Government of its own. Calhoun and
Hayue were the representatives OF this poll
cyiin the South. and allowed no occasion Of
public character % pass without urging It's
const;tutionAlity and practicability. They
sought, in the Senate of the United States, in
eighteen hundred and thirty three, TO win for
their darling scheme. a victory over It's op-
ponents, and u make il the admitted con
stitutional right Of State. Upon this ques-
-. n.tc,.,I.lx ....c,r~a.l The mat J.h.ta
between Webster and Haync. The question
was a great one. and upon Il occurred the
greatest debate OF the American Senate
Mr. Webster, in one giant effort exploded
the whole doctrine ol secession and nullih-
cation lie showed by arguments which his
opponents made no efforts 70 answer, that il
had 40 foundation in the Constitution. I'm
der the powerful stroke it, defenders recoiled
aud for awhile remained silent. The next
appeal was TO the sword, and not 70 logic
Virginia sanctioned the doctrine again, and
make her soil the battlefield for tho final
settlement OF the great question. How mag
nanimous her conduct TO her allies. IL was
the expectation OF the leaders Of the rebel
lion that no hostile army would ever be able
TO invade the South proper" The coast
Notifications were regarded a. impregna BILE,
and the Confederate armies were supposed to
be competent to hold ia check the heavy
columns OF the Fsderals until.iheir Govern
meat. VAS recognized abroad. and the ma
t.oual Government convinced that their sub
ection was an impossibhity. Bat the disap
appointment has been most bitter to them.
Their Notifications have been leveled with
the ,IHst, and their armies have been driven
back anil defeated al nearly every point un
I'll within what they call the Confederate
Government are nearly a half million OF
Federal soldiers. gradually advancing to the
successful accomplishment OF the object for
which they were put in the field. Virginia
has suffered more than any other State. in
endeavorine ID make good the doctrine for
which her politicians have involved her IN
strife with The Federal power.
Ii is impossible perhaps TO imagine coun-
us moro desolata and devastated than por
ton OF Virginia. Prior to her secession, her
people were groaning under a d ebt of near
" fifty millions OF dollars. and with but little
prospect Of change. But how infinitely
better then than now, when her public in
debtedness has increased 70 such an enormous
amount as to destroy all hope Of an honora
bic payment Of her creditors. With devast
stcd fields and valleys, and piilaged towns
and cities. she will be left 10 mourn Tor a
hundred years to eorae the insanity Of hcl
secession. and the magnitude Of her crimes
State Sovereignty aud the divine right o
slavery have at last robbed her Of her mos
valuable possessions. They have broker
ds~n her spirit. exhausted her energies, pros
traied her commerce, anil swallowed np he
resources. She has descended TO n degra
datioa. from which her people can neve
raise her again TO respecabiiily. IL he
t0wns and cities ever return 10 their iorme
prosperity, ifher public credit Is ever resto'
cd. II the commerce which gladdened he
satet- ~uAtA ftrtt W. t'tsTs ~ W. ~
tile valleys again sound " ish the busy hum Q
industry; IL the school house aud tho ehurc
again crown her bills and nestle down IN hs
valleys. IL gill be when her human chstisl
give away 10 the enserptising Nershmen. an
when State Sovereignty politicians have b
come extinct.
Uadsr the rule Of free men. and the mi
sway Of Tree institutions. more than her 70
per reputation and character would events
ally return. siow' bat surely i her territl
~ coming sgaia ander Federal rule Soc
she must have provisional Governor 70 e
force obedience 70 Lac and order within h
limits dcs Lctcher. Ike Jackson Of NJ
-oari. Harris 81 Tennessee And Rector OF A
kaosAs. ~ai be compelled % abandon b
State. los his crimes against her people a.
eoautsy. Wherever he may chance 20 ~
reStlns place. he eAn contemplate dca
upon The seAfold. o. al isnom.nioas asel
from the country &c hAs betrayed.
a..