Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-07-10

there was one text craven on the pages of
| this book that admit OF but one reading
| Mr.. Lincoln was the author of tha; hide
GUS sentiment that the States of the Union
could not remain part Free and part Slave
States-thdt they must be tcholky free or
tpholiy slave. Aud as the Southern States
had never evinced n desire OF design to i'm
pose their institutions on the Free States,
it followed as of logical sequence, that Mr.
Lincoln thought the Free States were
bound, by manifest destiny, to crush out
the Slavery institution in the South. This
shocking sentiment, which could only be
made practical through seas of blood, en-
desred Mr.. Lincoln to people already
educated to that cruel issue.
We shall not delay to expose the shall
low artiice by which he wantonly drew
from the South the first FIRE at Sumter, aud
thus covered over his purposes with the
deceptive semblanCe of defensive war. We
desire to trace this flood of wickedness to
its truthful source, and to present its real
authors in unveiled deformity to the exc
Grafton of mankind. This proclamation of
President Lincoln was the declaration of
war by the Executive oil the Federal Gov
ernment, without the sanction OF Con-
gress. The language of the Constitution
with regard to the question of war IS too
explicit to be misappreheuded: Congress
shall have power to declare war says the
Constitution; and yet, in bold usurpation
of this vital grant, so essential TO the ma
tional safety, Mr.. Lincoln grasped these
forbidden powers, and of his own despotic
will plunged the country into this terrible
war.
Virginia met the insolent usurpation
with a prompt denial of his right to call out
troops; but the conduct of the people of the
Free States had now forced the extreme
issue of revolution upon the acceptance OF
her statesmen. The last issue of war was
pressed right down upon them. There
was no delay, no time of parley given.
The whole people of the Free States had
sanctioned the usurpation OF Mr.. Lincoln
with headlong enthusiasm, and AS one
man had rushed to arms at his command.
Virginia statesmen held but short cOun-
Gil on the occasion With q clear sagaci-
ty they pushed aside the iimsy preteuces
of "restoriHg the UniOR," with which the
movement was veiled, and accepted un-
disguised facts alone for judgment
Citizen soldiers, you stand at the bid
ding of your natIve State TO repel this cruel
invasion, and drive back this insolent pre-
tension to overthrow your rights OF self
government II WOuAu BAHhAig .CNA As-NS
pride 10 follow you over the battle fields of
tEis gigantic struggle, and chronicle your
heroic gallantry iu action, or record your
high bearing in the war counsels OF our
countrymen, but with a becoming delicacy
we forbear the task. Each State of our
Confederacy, with a just and generous en-
ergy, has sent forth her sons to repel this
vandal invasion of their common rights.
These brave men, converged in one column
haze been always hurled upon the enemy
in united power.
Ours shall not be the envious task to
sever that column, aud boldly claim dis
tinctiou of merit and courage, where all
have alike struggled through the heat and
burden of the day.
Soldiers of Virginia, it matters not at
what distant post the calls OF duty may
have led you. Wherever this address may
reach you, we pray you to give it care
full study. .r.... ...
Itis designed to be the euuuciation ofthe
highest principles of your political free
dom, and a declaration to the world of the
confidence your native State repOses IN
your valor."