The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-22

who stepped forward as the peace-maker,
and as "a result Ok her mediadons the
thrca encd rupture was averted.
Again, in 1s60 the alignment Of parties
demonstrated that The election OF either
AIR. Lincoln or Nj Breckenridge TO the
Presidency. would be followed by rup-
ture. and so Nircinie. with her eldest
daughter. kentucky. alone Of the states
or The Union except Tennessee, cast her
vote for Bell and ENere The Union
candidates, standing on tns platform
"The Constitution of the country; the
Union OF the States and the enforcement
of the laws
Bat Dir. Lincoln ana his associate upon
the ticket. Hannibal uamlin, were elected,
and for the first time ia the his DRY Of the
government these hisn Offices were 10 be
uled by men from one section Of the
country. elected by inc electoral votes
only of states from the same geographi-
cal division. and that too despite the fact
that the opposing tickets combined re-
cciyed q majority OF over a million OF the
popular vote.
Following he e.ec-ion OF Mr.. Lincoln.
under the leadership. Of South Caiolins
and Cotton States. zen in number. with
drew from the Union and formed a gov
eminent and adopted Constitution In
February lsGl While there was a strong
party I'm Virginia which not only believed
in the richI OF sec -sion but advocated
the immediate assar lon OF the right yet
the dominant voice of her people was still
for the Union, ana DOB obedience 10 TINS
sentiment every possible effort was put
forth 10 avert a COLLISION between inc
Federal power and tine socoding States.
and to bring the latter back into afiilia-
lion with the Union.
THE PEACE CONGRESS.
Her Legislature was Gained IN extra ses-
sion. anu resolutions Immediately adopted
calling fer ID mee.ug OF commissioners
from Tho States stll IN the Union, 10 as
sembie at WashMe on. and 10 devise
means 10 avert the threatened calamity
The resolutions oil the Legislature rec!te
that: whereas IL IS the deliberate op.n.
ion of the General ASS molly OF Virginia
that unless the unhappy controversy
which now divides DE- Sta.es Of this Con-
federacy. shall ne satisfactorily adjusted.
a permanent dissolution Of the Union T.
inevitable. and the General Assembly
representing the wishes OF the people Of
the Commonwealth is DESTROYS Of employ.
ing every reasonable means 10 avert 50
dire a calamity" and then proceeds TO
call upon the States 20 send commissioner
10 what has been known In history as the
Peace CongI ess. 10 TINS congress,
Virginia sent as her representatives. ex-
President John Tyler. William c. Rives
John w. Brockenbrough, George w. Sum
mers. and James \. Seldom.
The Peace Congress accordingly met In
washington IN February, 1861. whore rep.
resentatlves from twenty-three States as
sembled and took part In the delibera-
tions. though there were. of course. no
representatives present from the seven
commemorative who had already formed
the Southern Confederacy. John Tyler, OF
Virginia. was elected its president. and
his speech accepting the position thrilled
with sentiments or patriotism and de
yotion TO the country He declared:
"The voice OF virginia has invited her
co-states TO meet her in council. In the
initiation OF this government that same
voice was heard and compiled win ana
the result seventy odd years has fully
attested the wisdom Of fhe decisions then
adopted. Is the urgency of her call now
less great than It was thsn' Our God