Year: 1861

WASHINGTON, Feb. s, 1861.


The Virginia election which the sece;sonists supposed
would turn in their favor and finally compel Maryland
and Delaware to follow, has overwhelmed them with
disappointment, and to some extent changed the pro-
gramme.


The Virginia election has been the topic Of the day
There is doubt that the straight secessonsts have
been largely defeated In the State but there just


little doubt that class Of men has been chosen Of far
dangerous character TO the existence Of the Union
unless prompt concessions are made Nneenths Of those
elected ran on the umatum Of the Crittenden PROPOSE
tion, to be adopted by Congress before the 4th
Of March II that Is rejected by Congress they
are pledged 10 secession, immediate and uncon.
dtiona 80 that all the Virginia election means s simply
Wrestling from the hands OF the present reckless man.
ayers the destiny Of the State and putting under the
control Of calm, firm men, who enjoy the confidence Of
the people. The republicans have now 70 act in good
earnest or indeed all lost; for az goes Virginia, 30
will follow all the remaining slave States II Is Curl
ous fact that large number Of the elected deputies
were Douglas men in the late campaign.


Leading conservative men from Virginia, who arrived
in the city tpght declare that there win not be ten
men In the Convention who will not make the Crtenden
plan an ultimatum.


Ills q noteworthy fact that all the Douglas electors
who were candidates for the Virginia State Convention,
have been elected. Exsecretary Floyd, who was So
cession candidate, was defeated. II Is now said by
F1oyd's friends that he was not q candidate
Mr. Wilson's district defeated Henry A. Wise. Roger A,
Pryor who was candidate in the Petersburg district,
was defeated In Harris district Union were
elected with exception in consequence Of blunders
Bolts was defeated by excess Of candidates.


report has been sont 10 the country to-day how
tensively do not learn that in view Of the change In
public sentiment produced by the election in Virginia
yesterday there longer any fear Of an attack upon
the Capitol Of attempt TO prevent the Inauguration
Of Lincoln and consequently the United States troops
now here will be withdrawn from the city. This report
is said 10 have been made by authority Of distinguish
cd republican Senator While II is true that the Virgil
MIA election has made great and favorable change in
the public mind is also true that the presence Of the
troops here has done much to break up the aorous
organization known 10 exist this city any other
influence.


There is stumbling block in tho way Of a peaceful
adjustment Of the slavery question which the Northern
members Of the Peace Convention fear be passed
II consists in the position assumed by the border slave
States the question OF the right Of secession and the
right Of coercion. They claim that State may const
tutionay, and by virtue Of Its Inherent sovereignty
withdraw from the Union whenever pieases also th,
the federal shall not be allowed TO enforce ,s
laws, collect it's revenues reake its property within
the limits Of seeded states, and IL the governmen,
shall undertake to exercise It's functions within
the territory Of such rebellious States, then
in that event the said border States viii make common
cause with the dsunionists, and wage against the
federal government Say the republican Commissioners
10 the border State delegates, suppose consent to
grant you slave code for the Territories In our pos
session south Of 80 3o and all the nation may hereafter
purchase clear TO Cape Horn, and give you besides all
your other demands Incorporating them all into the
stuon will your then consent 70 let the federal
government enforce its and reakc It's property In
the seeded statcss viii your States loyalty aid
the government In It's endeavors TO establish its
authority and exercise s functions within the limits
Of the rebel territory And will you give up the doc


ine that State may secede from the Union on its Own
violation" The border State delegates TO the Peace
Congress return fat and emphatic negative TO each Of
these questions. The republican Commissioners then
say, "what IL tho Of making essions and
changing the constitution, as TO do would have nc
binding force ANY State could walk out Of the Union
the day after, new demands may be preferred neal