Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-15

iao the hands OF any -four forces. Recently have
received apparently authentic intelligence of another
general by the Of Mlroy, who ha, issued orders
ia Western Virginia for the payment Of money. 10 him
by the inhabitants, accompanied by the most savage
threats of shooting every recusant, besides burhiDg
his house; and threatening similar airrclies against
any Of our citizens who shall fail to bersy their con
try by giving him prompt notice OF the approach oil
any of forces, and this subject has also been sub
mted to the superior military authorities of the United
States with but faint hope that they will eyince any
appalling atrocities which are being daily multiplied
under the sanction of those who have obtained tempo
rary of power in the United States and who
are fast making IFS once fair name byword Of re-
proach among civilized men. Not even the natural {
Indignation inspired by this conduct should make -
however unjust, to attribute to the whole of
the people who subjected to the despos that
reigns sith unbrided license in the city Of Washngfv
aowilIing scquiescenee in its conduct Of ihaF
There must necessarily exist among our enemies
many, perhaps a majority, whose humanity re-
from all participation in such atrocities but who can
not be held wholly guiltless while permitting their
tiGuance without an effort at repression,
The public journals Of the North have been received,
containing proclamation dated the first day Of the
present month. signed by the President of the United
States in which he orders and declares all slaves witt
10 ten of the States of the Coafederacy be Free ex
cept such found within certain districts now
cupied in part by the armed forces Of the enemy.
We may well leave il 10 the instincts of that
mon humanity which benefcent Creator has implanted
in the breasts of fellow Of all countries, 10
pass judgment measure by which several millions
Of human beings of inferior race peaceful and cOn.
tented ahorers in their sphere, doomed 10 exer-
mnation, while at the same time they are encourage
TO general assassination Of their masters by the insd-
ious recommendation "to abstain from violence uue.s
in necessary self-defence." Our detestation of
those who have attempted the most execrabe
recorded 10 the history Of guilty man, is tempered by
profound contempt for the impotent rage which il dis
closes. So far regards the action Of this govern
ment on such criminals may attempt its execution,
conhne myself to informing you that shall, unless u
your wisdom you deem some other course more expeA
dent, deliver to the several State authorities all
mssioned officers of the United States that NAV here
after be captured forces ia any of the States en-
braced in the proclamation, that they may be dealt
with in accordance with the laws of those States
citing er,ile Instruction The enlisted soldiers shall
continue treat unwilling instruments the COM
mission of these Crimes and shall direct their dis
charge and return TO their homes the proper and
usual parole.
In It's political aspect this measure possesses great
significance, and TO il in this light invite your attea-
ton. II affords TO whole people the complete and
GROWING proof of the true nature of the designs OF
the party which elevated TO power the present occupant
of the Presidential chair at Washington and which
sought to conceal It's purposes by every variety of
full device, and by the perdious of the sol
emn aud repeated pledges every possible occasion
extract in this connection, a single example, tie
following declaration made by President Lincoln, tn
der the solemnity of his oath Chief Magistrate of
the United States, on the 4h Of March, 1861:
apprehension seems to exist among the people Of
the Southern States that by the accession of Repub-
lican Administration, their property and their peace
and personal security 10 be endangered. There
has never been any reasonable for such appre-
tensions. Indeed the ample evidence TO the con
trary has al the while cxlsel, ana been open 10 their
inspection It is found in nearly all the published
speeches Of him who now addresses you. do but
quote from Of those speeches when declare that
have no purpose, directly indirectly, to interiors
inst n1fs in
exists. believe have no lawful right to do SOL Jand
have no inclination to do Those who nominated
and elected me, did SO with full knowledgefhat had
made this and many similar declaratje1s, and had
in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to
themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resou-
ton which now read;
90" Rssoired, That the maintenance inviolate Of the
rights Of the States, and especially the right of each
State TO order and control it, domestic institutions
according to its own judgment exclusively, is essential
to that balance OF powers ON which the perfection and
endurance OF our political fabric depend: and we de-
uounce the lawle invasion by armed force Of the soil
of any State or Territory no matter under what pre-
text, as amoupg the graTest crimes" l.E
Nor this declaration Of the want Of power or
disposition to Interfere with social system confined
TO state Of peace Both before and after the actual
commencement of hosttes the President of the
United States repeated In formal official oommunica-
ton the Cabinets Of Great Britain and FraDce that
he utterly without constitutional power to do the
which he has just committed, and that in posi-
Bile event. wbsher the secession Of these States resulted
in the establishment OF q separate Coniedersey orin
the restoration Of the Union, was there any authority
By virtue Of which he could either restore dsaected
State to the Union by force Of arms or make any
change in any OF its institutions. refer specially for
vericaton Of this assertion, to the dispatches sd
dressed BY the Secretary Of State of the United States
under direction Of the President, TO the Ministers Of
the United States at London and Paris, under date of
10th and 22d April, 1851. -
The people OF this Confederacy then cannot fail
ceive this proclamation the fullest yndcston of tGs
own sagIciy in foreseeing the which the DOM:
naut p4ry IL tho United States Is intended from the
beginning to apply thaE power can thsy cease T.
remember With deFQut hankfuless that to their own
vigilance IN resisting the frs, steathy progress of APP
proacing despotism, that they Their escape from
consequences now apparent to the most scepca This
proclamation will haye another salutary effect in calm
ing the fears Of those who have constantly evnced the
apprehension that this might end BY some recon-
sructon of the old Union renewal of close po-
litca ,elaops with the United Safes These fears have
never keeu shared by me- have ever been able TO
perceive what basis they could rat But the proca,
nation affords the fullest guarantceof the mppssisity
of such result: il has established state az ting5
which Gan lead TO but ops of three possible consequent
ces the exterWinaan OF the slayes the exile OF tho
whole white population from the Confederacy or abso.
lutte and total separation OF these States from the United
States.
This proclamation is also authentic statement by
tho Government of the United States of is inability TO
subugate the South by force Of arms and as such must
be accepted by neutral nations, which can no longer
find any justification in withholding just claims 10
formal recognition 1t il also ia effect intimation 10
the people of the North that they prepare sab
init separation become inevitable for that peo-
pie understand that restoration Of
thu En;on hes been rendered forever impossible by the
adoption of measure which, ION its very nature net
Their admits of rctractiOh can co-exist with union
Among the subjects to which your attention will be
specially devoted during the present session. you will no
doubt deem the adoption Of some comprehensive syster
Of finance being Of paramount importance The To-
creasng public debt, the great augmentation in the vol
Of the currency with its necessary cOnc0mant Of
extravagant prices for all articles OF consumption tie
OF from taxation adequate to support the
public credit all unite in admonsbng that energetic
and wise legislation alone prevent serious embarras
mens In cur monetary affairs II is my conviction that
a.. g Gantn.isranv will fraelu