Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-03-26
Frem the LynchburG Virgfnian.
~. March 0r Reyolufion.

Revolutions, it has been well said, never go oack
ID Human wisdom cannot comprehend thelr enc
w from any signs that attend their beginning. IneJ
nm their steady course, often developing results ina
tu ;,ber snticinated nor desired by those who made
49,, They as often overturn the public liberties Of
b1 result in establishing them on frmer foundations
Nh ue NAV well imagine, did the Northern people
IN Of the commencement OF the pending wsr
rt il would swallow up their liberties, and put their
Tvs and properly wholly at the will and mercy of @
n.-atcr Nor we of the South prepared TO ex
art some scenes that have BEEN enacted In our owr
midst And the epd is not yet for the longer the great
rggia continues, the further we shall be likely to drift
rom those safe principles of constitutional law and ad
F-snce to sound precedents TO which Indebted
tor cur safety and happiness hitherto We have seen
one by one the barriers OF the Constitution which
we're erected to prevent the aggressons OF the GoVern
n,fnt upon the rights OF its citizens, have peen ruoty
rfrnvn down By the Government OF A braham Lincoln
oar sensibies bave been shocked, 0nd our devotion
rCe institutions has but Increased with our observa
IN, OF the repeated vica'i1s Cf Constitution and law
aigh have marked tie WaCie course OF the Nortbern
,,ovrrument
Not 50 fogitious in ITSELF aud certainly with no pur-
r ab9idge the rights and privileges of the people
KS tie action of Legislature in its late mamie ct
9srarure from the strict letter OF Constitution 1t
sssurnd powers not granted it by the fundamental
aw ard essayed IN the name of the people, TO do for
LEN what the Constitution has committed nalienaby
10 their keeping 1t is not less violation of the
Cn-uton for the Legislature TO chose delegates and
# their present situation, than it would be they
n assume sufiagaLs fer the people of this or
.v Other part Of the tie not occupied by the enc
~ Whatever may have been tie policy that dictated
il. Measure, it is wrong n principle and in TACT. 1t
- done without warrant OF the Constitution, and
makes the legislature TO a certain extent, salEper-
guaiing body II has just much right TO decree
sat the Western mmbefs shall occupy seats for life in
10 General Assembly IL has to declare that they
al hold day longer than the term for which
Urra n iOr q elected The th-
-ana whether the term be longer shorter ard
w conceive that those members OF the Legislature who
lll th'r tfices b. this ard unheard OF tenure
ave about MUCH right TO legislste for Virginia as
T.e gar and his cOuf res In the Abolition Congress
al Washington, have to represent there. 1t may
arpsn, too. that This unfortunate and unauthorized
oa of the Legislature will give rise 10 difficulties in
f.ure Should there be any eDactments whereby the
interests Of the South shall be sacrificed to those OF the
Njs be deemed 50, and such laws be adopted
bv small ori,es, where Western have voted to-
g.her, the result may be either reputation of the
Us or efforts TO test their validity. We sincerely
hope that such may arise bat it is obvious that
.Ie!e Is possibility OF their arising.
We do not wish TO throw of the North West bad
y IS many of IFS people have sctId 1t contains many
g I'd and true men, and many Of whom it was not
ugC'hy-men who have been compelled TO leave their
and abandon all to the rapacity Of the usurper
are amongst They deserve cur sympathy and
G regard but they should not wish Vol lta the
-.damenta Law of the State. The true policy fer US
have pursued in legislative action, would have
to avoid all legislation hat could in any wise have
proved irjur Gus TO the West to have done all that
possible for them but to have left their seals va
the General Assembly until they could b. filed
.asttutionaly. Whether this would be sound policy
uo., il is Law, and that should decide the matter
.mbarked, as are upon the dangerou1 tide Of
Collation., Only safety is in boiling those have
ld rulers to the et-:u1 ietIer OF The law
c- admit that any emergency will justify depar
~e from organic la0, OF, that there Is " higher
tim the Constitution, and civil liberty vii! BE- in
a- veg to parish. Let tha legislature Of Virgins
Inc is action to law, and hold the Confederate Gov
20 The high responsibility and Virginia
. east may emerge from this revolution, with the Sc
i7 o heE citizE OF as much liberty they enjoyed
.j'G they entered it.