The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-10-17

III oruot3 q says Suo" "h"S
of man the Democrats propose to elect to
the State Senate, the Abolition organ OF
this city reproduces the following letter
written BY o. W. Lkserrrr, Esq, and pub
lished in the Weilsbufg Herald of January
2lst, 1861. SFor-this act, the friends of Mr..
LANarIrT owe this Abolition editor q vote
of thanks, considering the time, the con-
dition Of the public mind, especially here in
Virginia, and the circumstances generally
under which the letter was written, we sub
NIT that the sentiments contained in it are
ia the main, eminently wise, sound and
statesmanlike, and had like sentiments an
mated a majority of the public men of Vir'
ginia and the leaders of the Republican
party, the condition of our country would
now have been peace, prosperity Z
| pled greatness. Here is the letter; read it;
bear in mind the feyerish and uncertain
condition ofpublic affairs at the time it was
written, ponder wellits many patriotic SEN
timents, and seriously ask yourself whether
the Secessionists of this State and the Abo'
lition party did not commit a criminal error
in failing to conciliate when Cancellation
was easy:
To my friends and tsQow citizens:
In the Herald of the 18th inst, you have
nominated me for the Convention of. Vir,
GINA, and request me to publish my views,
| touching the course Virginia should pursue
in that Convention, relative to our Federal
relations. Accepting the nomination, as
now do, it is incumbent on me to comply
with your request, not merely that you
may know what my views are, but that
you shall thereby have an opportunity to
compare them with those of other candl-
dates for the same office.
The course which Virginia ought to pur-
sue, should be that course, and involving
that policy which would enable her to main
tain what is right in the premises; and at
the same time secure the favor and appro-
baton Of all the other States; at least as
many of them, North and South, as will en-
able her, with them, to hold in check the
fierce and angry passions OF both extremes.
This she can and ought to do; or if these
passions are not held in check by some pow
er other than the sword, it is the very mad~
ness of folly to expect, or even hope for
salvation for the Union. The Union OF the
| States cannot be saved by war; for the
truth of which, I can appeal not only to the
great and leading features of our race; but
also to the promptings, feelings and emo
tions of almost every citizen. Nor can it
be saved by loud hurrah, or other profess
sions of love and admiration. Those who
think it can, and act accordingly, waste
their time, talents and exertions; and while
they do so, they let our glorious ship of
State, freighted as she is, with the liberties,
rights and best hopes of mankind, be dashed
to pieces by the whirlwinds of contending
factions. The Union can only be saved by
work! by active, intelligent action; first by
| Virginia, and then by all such other States
as she can induce to CO operate with her. 1t
cannot be said "there is nothing wrong-no
wrongs or grievances to redress, and there
fore let matters alone, all will be right"
For the whole South firmly believe that
they have suffered great wrongs; and in this
opinion a large and influential minority, of
the North concur.
What shall Virginia then do? Secede'
By no means. The very fact of secession
would render her powerless for good. No
| calamity the country ever suffered could in
any wise compare with the terrible conse
1uences that must follow the secession Of
IT:-~;. - <l;a fip,a Tf Vipoinio uopla
accomplish good and bring peace, harmony
an even Union out of the chaos of opinion
and feeling that cucumber the public mind,
she must retain the respect and confidence
| of the other States; especially the border
| States, both North and South, and yet We
| all know that such respect and confidence
| will be wrecked in the very fact of seces,
sion. New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, In
diana and Illinois will of course spurn her
counsel, and disregard her example, in any
such event; while Missouri, Kentucky,
Maryland and Delaware, not being either
ready or willing for secession at this time,
will give but little if any attention to our
example; whence will result nothing but
discord and Disconnected action throughout
the South; in all which no redress is de-
manded, or plan, of adjustment proposed.
Let Virginia, then, by all means, by all
the hallowsd recollections of the past, and
all the hopes of the future, remain in the
Union; and let her, by all possible induce
ment, prevent any other State from seced
ing; let her define her wrongs and mildly
but firmly take her stand that these wrongs
must be rsdressed by amendments to our
Federal Constitution. Let her prepare and
send to all the other States the requisite
amendments, and appeal to the justice of
her cause, and to the enlightened judge,
ment of each State for her justification.
Just 80 suro as gravitaticn tends to a
common centre, just SO sure will the border
States join in and eventually the entire
Virginia has had one great glory,-that
Of forming, moulding and directing events
which led to the present Federal Govern
ment, but how much greater the glory that
now awaits her, ifby wisdom and prudence
she can now save and perpetuate the noble
fabric.