The Greensborough patriot [February 28, 1861]

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(§xttMbBXttu#h atrat
BY SHERWOOD & LONG. a jFamtlp Kctospaper-BebotfH to literature, agtf culture, Jfcanufoctures, Commerce, anb iEiscellaneous Kofttaf. TERMS-~$2.00 IN .ADVANCE.
VOL. XXII. GREENSBOEOUGH, Iff. C, FEBRUARY 2,8 1861. NO. 1,137.
I he treensborougK Patriot.
M. 8. I1EEWOUD. JAMI9 A. LO.NU.
SHERWOOD & LONG,
EDITORS ANI> PROPB1ETOR8.
TERMS: %i.OO A TEAR, IX ADTAMCE.
RITES OF ADVERTISING IS THE PATRIOT.
On dollar per square for the first week, and twenty-flvc
cent- for every week thereafter. TWELVE LINES OB
I, - making a square Inductions made in favor of
standing mutter as follows:
3MON1HS. C MONTHS. ] TEAB
■ *•'•'•" **«? f?JJ
ea 700 10 W H00
10 Ott If. 00 20 00
Tlie liernii oi a \ew Secession.
It is already known to our readers that the
Delegates appointed by the Conventiors of
the se.eral Seceding States, have met in
Montgomery (Ala.) to form a provisional gov-unt
for the new Confederacy, resolved
theme Ives into what is technically callod a
"Congres" rather than a "Convention." It
i- also known that this "Congress" haselec-i
Ion. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi,
as President, and the Hon. A. H. Stephens,
ol'G ' ririaj as Vice President of the "Con
federate Slates of America;" and has enacted,
as the fundamental law of the now Govern-ing
i, tiie Constitution of the United States,
with such alteratisns as were deemed expedi-ent
in view of the new conditions which the
Cougress was called to meet.
We append a few articles or Bections of the
provici inal Constitution thus inaugurated
thai our readers may apprehend their bear-ing
on outstanding questions between the
constituents of the new Confederation or be-tween
that Confederation and the Govern-
Itlit I 'nit' d States
The first section of Article 1. is as follows :
•■ All legislative powers herein delegated
all be vested in this Congress, now assembled.
until otherwise ordained."
The seventh section, in the same article,
makes the following provisions:
" I. The importation of African negroes
from any foreign country, other than the
slaveholding States of tbe United States, is
hereby forb'.dden; and Congress is required
to pass such laws as shall effectually prevent
the SHIII ■
•' - The Congress shall also have power to
pro'ii'jit the introduction ol slaves froin any
o ii..t a member ol this Confederacy."
fifth article is as follows :
The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds,
mr.y, at any time, alter or amend thisConsti-ii.''
i ■ sixth articles contains the following
:: .us;
".'. The (iovcrnment hereby instituted
shall like immediate steps for tho settlement
ol al matters between the States forming it
and I heir other late confederate of the Uni-ted
States in relation to the public property
and public debt at the time of their withdraw-al
from them; these States hereby declaring
it to be their wish and earnest desire to ad-just
every thing pertaining to the common
property,common liability, and common obli-gations
of that union upon the principles of
right, justice, equality, and good faith.
" .'{. Until otherwise provided by the Con-pie--
the ci'y of Montgomery, in the Stale of I
Alabama, shall be the seat of government.
•• 1 I'ue members of the Congress, and all j
exec itive and judicial officers ol the Con fed- •
cia-v. shall be bound by oath or affir nation j
rt this C ii6tiiulion ; but no religions
U1 t shall be required as a quaiiticaui n to any
ol pub ic trust under this Confederacy.
• ■ ■>. The Congre sshall have power to ad-m..
o' ei S.utes."
Su h being the positions taken by the
'' i ■■-' assembled at Montgomery, it
was |" rhaps to be expected that the orlgina-i
rs ol the secession movement would readi
Is conclude that they liad spent their strength
for naught, it it is to result in conclusions no
more soui.d and in arrangements no more
helpful than such as substantially existed uu.
derthe "effete" Constitution of the United
States. As things now stand tho citizens of
the new Confederation have simply exchang-ed
a Constitution which was duly ratified by
lt»e | pie of their respective States for one
thai has been improvised without the pretence
ol any authority derived from tbc express or
implied assent of the people in electing the
Conventions which have passed thoordinan-tession
in the several States compos-ing
the new League. This extemporized
ion will now, in turn, be submitted
l"r ratification to the several Conventions by
vi n ise representatives it was formed at
Montgomery. Such being thi stato of 'he
Ke are sure no reader will be surprised
tarn that the pending project, and tho leg-islation
adopted under it, fail to commend
1 i the approval of those who in-rated
the "movement for Southern in-dipei
nine" under the inspiration of South
lina icuas. A single specimen of this lee-
" The Provisional Caution of the Confeder-ate
Statqf America.
" Our readers wi^rceive that the Uni-ted
States Constituej, with a few emenda-tion,
has been adopjand also, by a sweep-ing
enactment, the ailed States laws, for
the temporary goament of the Seceding
States confederateciM'.nigomery.
"We regret thahy Provisional Govern-ment
was formed 41, arid n one or two im-portant
particula>eonfess to disappoint-ment
and surprise? the Government and
laws enacted. I teems that the United
States Protective iff of 1857 bus been, anil
thai apositive coniigUion ofthe institution of
slavery, through ttlovc trade, has been inser-ted
into the LoiUttion itself. Neither of
thesedidwe ex p. Wo did not suppose
that any Southefpvernment, whether for
a month or a yeaiould sanction the policy
of protective u.rJ The tariff of i>57 is
odious and opprJve in its discriminations.
It was made to fJrNoi thorn enterprise at
the expense of i |e<>ple of the South—a
huge free-list foien, the burden of taxation
for us to bear—ii vc maintain is adverse
to revenue, unjuSn the principle, and op-pressive
in prace. kfhethcr this is ,.rought
about by a purii remission of duties or a
partial impositiiit iff till the same in effect.
We enter ourprot aginst the scheme and pol-cy,
both is regas ourselves and in the re-sults,
so far as K'igt. nations are concerned
and their friendip, if this time valuable to
as. In each react free trade is the true
polity of tho Cdedeiite Slates.
" We deem ?ale(" unfortunate and mal
apropos that thHigSa of illegitmacy and il-legally
should ■ plaied upon the institution
of slavery by amdanenlal law against the
slave trade, louripinion it is a matter of
policy, and not? principle, to be decided now
and hereafter fm siind views of the neces-sities
and safetpfoir people. We think it
a proper subjeof'tfcislation. We *ro wil-ling
to prohibst l| legal enactment, like
any other toe oljlegislation. But while
England impts fcr thousands of Coolie
slaves, and Fnco Irs, under the farcical
appellation offipp'fntices;" while they are
striving by thje mams Ic compete with us
producing the tropical
labor; while we have
rge scope of fertile terri-
Texas, and may havo
ies of Arizona and the
teeming Stati'of ikx'wo to populate and re-duce
to agridturapro luctiveness, it seems
to us short BlltedJweak, and sentimental to
preclude f'oretr, hi fundamental enactment,
the adoption I a plicy that mav become es-sential
lo ouuppi prirte growth and ■ span- ,
sion, and to Ir sic .-.-siti! competition with
the hypoeritjal nj ions ol Europe.
"But the;oiisi«utio-i, as adopted, is only
provisional ill tei >orary, and may therefore
be excusublon Ufu account. We hope the
Permanent ovenment will be made and es-1
tablisbcd sjedihjaud without reference tc
any thing ping 4 outside the Cor. federate
States. Tile bfpe complete success within
their graspif tl* will only act fearlessly
and with tl.coiiflei.ee of men who are com-petent
tocAroAeir destinies. Too great a
deference A d^iy for t'ie Border Slates
still in tbefniofjwill only encourage their
dilatorinesandf-rolong their stay. Let the
Confederaptats but perform their duly,
and their aoleluty lo themselves, irrespec-tive
of thetheri ami w«s will answer for the
result in ajualfonfederacy olall the Slave
Slates."
If a pel :iii"'l (.'oi.sti tni ion should over be
lormed uili thfbasis on .henry ol that which,
as respeclthe lave trade, is held lo be. "ex
torv adjustment of our difficulties, that our wanton aggnwsion on the^^P*"^. otJe">
SveSTone shall be called, (and 1 think there can be no- cause to doubt that the cour-
S ob) should, in a firm and deliber- age and patriotism of the peop.e of the Con-ate
manner Jay down, for the consideration of federate States will befeuad ayttl *>**}
tne NorS,th? terms upon which this State measures of defence which oar latnre secun-will
remain in the Union-some such terms, ty may require ;nlftrPS,
tor instar.ee, as aro emoodied in the Critten- An agricultural people, whose chief interest
den resolutions-then adjourn over, subject j is the export of* aawajay:wqj^n^t
to the call of the President of the Convention | ry manufacturing country, our true policy is
s, then the Convention should again j or navigating commun.iy-such as
be convened, and determine what course ot j Northwestern Slates of the American Un on.
and interest Jit most follow, therefore,-that mutual ir>iei-j
est would invite good will and kind offices.
11, however, pass-on or the lust of domine< r-separate
Stale a 'lion the honor
oi lb': Stale demand.
I am opposed to the coercion of any of the
seceding Staes by 'he General Government
—because I think it is impolitic, impractica-ble,
to bo attended wilb no good, but muslin- :
eviiably result in he direst evils.
These are my present views; but stirring j
events are d-.ily transpiring, and how my I
opinions may be modified by coming events, 1 j
cai not say. If, therelore, 1 should huve the |
fortune to be one of your representatives in gr^ ^ ^^ ^.^ ^^^ tQ 8ecurc
ing should cloud the judgment or inflame the
ambition of these States, we must prepare to
meet the emergency, and maintain by the
final arbitrament of the pword, the position
which we have assumed among the nations
of the earth. Wo have entered upon a career
of independence and it must be inflexibly
pursued. Throngh many years of controver-with
our late associasas, the Northern
and supercedtus i^
productions oSlav
within our rep ai
tory uncultivjed :i
ere long the tfter i
Convention, my course must, to some extent,
be controlled by circumstances. But of one
thing you may be assured, that I shall be op-posed
to all rash and precipitate action on the
part of the Convention, and will endeavor, as
far as in me lies, to uphold and maintin the
Union, so long as I can do so consistently
with the honor, the rights, and interest of
the State. I am not one of those who regard
tho Union as as a curse—so far from it, I be-lieve
that it has dispensed blessings innu-merable
to our people—that it has secured to
them liberty, happiness, prosperity, and, up
to this time, national power, whose prestige
has commanded for them the respect of all na-tions,
I cannot, therefore, do otherwise
than regard its dissolution asagrcat calamity.
If I shall receive a majority of your suffra-ges,
I will serve you to the best of my abili-ty
; but ifyour choice should fall on another,
I shall most cheerfully acquiesce
Respectfully, THUS. S. ASHE.
cu-able" i !v ground I hat it is •'lem-porary
ai proltsionai, the reader Can easi-ly
inter vjal UIMI of an agitation the mem-bers
of tnnew Confederation majj expect at
the handpt fcose who took the initiative in
bicakii.eip the Union of I he Constitution
ii'amcd al'iib o"elphia in IT^T. It is now
Clearly L»n batany funiiauteuiul law which
imprintfifcostigma of "illegitimacy and ii-legalityTn-
he institution "I slavery, b}
prohibit^the foreign slave trait, wi I en-counter
leieterniiucd opp.siiion of those
who clal t'be the peculiar champions of
"Southed rights" and "Southern indepeu-dence."-
jSattonal Intelligencer.
Thos. S. A»be. i:»<|.
Thepp'e of Anson county, having called
upon T*- S. Asbe, Esq., to bo a candidate
for the ate Convention, Mr. A. comes out in
a Card.*fining hifl position, as follows,
llavij been urged by some of my conser-vative
lends to become a candidate to rep-resent
is county in the Convention propos-ed
to boe'd in this Slate, and having had as-suranctfrom
different parts of the county
(hat it as desired by many of my tallow-citi-zens.
v.0 ero attached lo ihe Union, 1 have
felt thai wasnotat liberty io de.-line.
And•• the period is so ehort between this,
and thelection, and my time will be so fully
occupil hy proless onal engagements, in
jireparg >01 nlJ' spring circuit, winch
islation is thus appreciated by theMonlgome- ginsotfext Mo..day, as to prevent spondent of tho Charleston Mercury,' seeing ou in your primary
is letter under date of the 1Kb instant :
" Congres to-day exhibited its usual ener-gy
in its legislation. It adopted, by one
short act, all the laws of the United States,
ained, I hoar, in some eight ponderous
",-. And the beauty ofthe matter is that
'Iterable excepting by two-thirds of
, . ing -■.: States, four arc' in tnislace, in December last, in which 1 in-necei
irryalaw; so you have the exist- \ troducd a series ot resolutions, SoutnCaroli-
I -.'7. over you, which the whole of
be-jrevent
mo
from
meeting. I h ive
em braid t .'J i s mode of giving you a brief syn-opsis
cthe opinions 1 entertain in regard to
the du' ci our State in tiie present critical
conditid of a ff'aiis, that there may be no mis-understnding
between as—no ground lor
any cbjgo ofdeception on my part hereafter.
WL the fin ; : K was held
England voted lor i»s promoting their
ei interests. Whether it is conititu-
:'. under the nan Constitution, lean torm
1. I presume nut, lor 1 loam that a i Eepubl'ans had a majority in both branches
ll on was also adopted ordering the Co^.- ' ot tho lederal Legisiatu re. and LlDCO D and
tc« on Finance to report, as sson as pos-na,
ake, luul receded. I did not thinU that
there as then any cause for disruption of
the U&n. for, notwithstanding the secession
of Soul Carolina, the opposition to the Black
a tariff bill. We are getting along with
seven-leagued boots; and if we have no war
1 piesume the Congress may rise by the 4th
of March. 1 nave just heard that a commilt-
I ic is appointed Vt form and report aCon-
Btitution lor th-.'.permanent Government. Who
consume the committee i hope to tell you
in my next. This is the grand labor ol the
Coil .'I'l'-s."
And if such are the views of the Mercury's
i .ire-p indent, its editor gives the subjoined
unmistakable expression to bis dissatisfaction
h he proceedings taken at Montgomery.
II IS already evident that disunion is not'
found I be a sure remedy lor all Southern
ills. Wo quote from the Mercury of the 12ih
instant: I
his pay would have been powerless lo do us
anv in.wy, lor twoyears, at least; and such
was oil strength, that we might well have
waite'without peril, until some aggression
shouhhe attempted on our rights, before
strikif for their maintenance. But, since
then, filings have greatly changed. Now,
seveu^taies have withdrawn from tho L n-ion,
lfvlng the other eight Slaveholding
Staleiu a small minority in Congress—in
the iJwer and al the mercy of the Black lle-pubhans
whenever they shall see proper to
eucrJch upon our : ignis.
Infills siato ot things, lam of the opinion
that Form Carolina should demand from llie
2sori, constitutional guaranties for her rights
and/l the Peace Conference, now in session
at yishinglou. shall fail to make a saiisluc-
Inausuratlon of President—Ills In-augural
Address.
MONTGOMERV, Feb 18.—Hon. Jefferson Da-vis,
of Mississippi, to-day took the oath of
office, and entered upon his duties as Provi-sional
President of tho Confederate States of
America.
The inau"uration ceremonies constituted
the grandest pageant ever witnessed in the
South. An immense crowd, comprising
much of the beauty and chivalry of the
South—ladies, citizens and soldiery—gath-ered
on Capitol Hill. At 10 o'clock, Mr.
Davis began tho delivery of his inaugural
speech, as follows :
Gentlemen of Ihe Conpr-is of Ihe Confederate.
States ot America, friends, Fellow-Citizens:
Called to the difficult and responsible sta-tion
of Chief Executive of the Provisional
Government which you have instituted, 1
approach the discharge of the duties assigned
me with an humble distrust of my abilities,
but with a sustaining confidence in tho wis-dom
of th-se wh > are to guide and aid me in
tho administration of public affairs, and an
abiding faith in ihe virtue and patriotism of j
the people, Looking forward to tho speedy
establisoment of a Permanent Government,
to take the place of this, ami which, by its
greater moral and physical power, will lx i
b iter able to combal with the many dilti ui- !
lies which arise from the Conflicting interests I
uteepaiate nations 1 enter upon the duties oi
the office to I which have been chosen with tho
hope (hat the beginning of our career as a
Confederacy may not be obstructed by hos-tile
oppression to our e. joyment, in a separ-ate
existence, of the iudepeidence we have
asserted, and which, with tho blessing ol
Pi evidence, we intend to maintain.
Our present condition hus been achieved
n. u manner unprecedented in the h story of
nations, it illustrates the American idea
that governments must rest upon the consent
of the governed, and that it is tho right of a
people to alter and abolish (governments
whenever they become deetruclivo of the
ends for which they were established. The
declared purpose ot the compact ot Union
from which we have withdrawn, was "to es-tablish
justice, ensure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote
the general welfare and secure the blessings
of liberty to ourselves and posterity"—and
when in the judgment of tho sovereign States
comprising this Confederacy, it had been per-verted
from the purposes for which it was
ordained, and ceased to answer the ends for
which it was established, a peaceful appeal
to the ballot-box declared that, so far as they
were concerned, the government created by
that compact should cease to exist. In this
they merely asserted the right which the De-claration
ot Independence of 1779 defined to
be inalienable. Of the time and the occasion
for this exercise, they, as sovereigns, were
ihe final judges, each of itself. An impartial
and enlightened verdict will vindicate the
rectitude of our conduct, and He who knows
the haarts of men will judge tho sincerity
with which we labored to preserve the gov-ernment
of our fathers, in its spirit.
The rights solemnly proclaimed at the
birth of tho Slates, and which have been af-firmed
and re affirmed in tho Bill of Right'
of the States, subsequently admitted into tho
Union of 1789, undeniably recognize in the
people the power and authority delegated lor
purposes oi government. Thus tho sovereign
States hero represented proceeded to farm
this ^Confederacy, and it is by an abuse of
language that ihoir act has been denominated
revolution. They have formed no new al-liance,
but within each State its government
has remained—the rights of person and prop-erly
have not been disturbed; tho agent
through whom they communicated with for-eign
rations has been altered, but that does
not necessarily inter our national r< lations.
| Sustained by a conscienciousness that the
| transition from the lormer Union to the pres-
I enl Confederacy has not proceeded from any
disregard on oar part of just obligations, or
; an}- lailuro to perform every constitutional
duty, moved by no interest or passion lo in-vade
the rights of others, anxious to cultivate
peace and commerce with all nations—if we
mav mil hi'j,e lo avoid war, we ma al lea-t
| ex. eel lhat posterity will acquit us of having
j needlessly engaged in it. Doubly justified
j by the absence ol Wrong on our part, and ou-tran
quility and obtain respect for all rights
to wnieh we aro entitled. As a necessity, not
choice, we have resorted to the remedy of
separai ion, and henceforth our energies must
be directed to the conduct of our affairs, and
the perpetuity of the Confederacy which we
have formed. If a just perception and mu-tual
interest shall permit us peaceably to
pursue our separate political career, my most
earnest desire will have been fulfilled; but, if
this bo denied us, and the integrity of our
territory and jurisdiction be assailed, it will
but remain for us with firm resolve, to appeal
to arms and invoke tho blessings of Provi-dence
on a just cause.
As a consequence of our new condition,
and with a view to meet anticipated wants,
it will bo necessary to previde a speedy and
efficient organization of branches of the Ex-ecutive
Department having special charge of
foreign intercourse, finance, military affairs,
and postal service. For purposes of defence,
the Confederate States may, under ordinary
circumstances, rely mainly on their militia;
but it is deemed advisable, in the present
condition of affairs, that there should be a
well instructed and disciplined army, more
numerous than would usually be required as
a peace establishment. I also suggest that
for tho protection of our harbors and com-merce
on tho high seas, a navy adopted to
those oljects is required. These necessities
have doubtless engaged the attention of Con-gress.
With a Constitntion differing from that of
our fathers in so far only as it is explanatory
of their well known intent—freed from tho
sectional conflicts which have interferred
with the pursuit of the general welfare—it is
not unreasonable to expect that States from
which wo have recently parted may seek to
unite their fortunes with ours under the gov-arnmcul
wo have instituted. For this your
Constitution makes adequate provision, but
beyond this, if I mistake not, the judgment
and will of the people are that a union with
the States from which we have separated, is
neither practicable nor desirable. To increase
the power, develope tho resources, and pro
mote the happiuess of a Confederacy, it is re-i
quisile that there should be so much ol homo-geneity
that the welfare of every portion
will be the aim of the whole Where this
\ d es not exi-t, antagonisms are engend r rl
I winch iiiii-t aid iiouid result in sejiaiation
, Actuated -o!eI\ by ihe desire I i preserve oar
;o»\n welfare, the separation of the Confedci
I ate States has been marked by no aggression
., upon others and followed by nodom- stic con-vulsion.
Our industrial pursuits have recei-
: veU no check, the cultivation of our fields has
progressed as heretofore, and, even should
I w>- be involved in war. there would be no eon-j
si.io; able dininution in ihe exports, in whicl
; the commercial world has a interest Bcarcelj
j less ihau our own. This common interest ol
producer and consumer can only he intercep
I led by such exterior lorce as should obstruct
I its transmission to foreign markets—a course
j of conduct wich would be as unjust towards
us as it would be detrimental to manufactur-ing
and commercial interests abroad. Should
reason guide tho action of the Government
from which we have separated, a policy so
detrimental to the civilized world, tne North-ern
Stales included,could not be prompted by
even a stronger desire to inflict injury upon
us, but if otherwise, a terrible responsibility
will rest npon it, and the suffering millions
will bear testimony to the folly and wicked-ness
of our aggressors. In tho mean timo
there will remain to us, besides the ordinary
remedies before suggested, tho well known
recourse for retaliation upon the commerce of
an enemy.
Experience in public stations ofa subordin-ate
grndo to this which your kindness has con-feree!,
has taught me that care and toil and
disapo'ntmont are the price of official eleva-tion.
You will see many errors to forgive,
many deficiencis to tolerate, but you shall noi,
rind in mo want of fidelity to the cause lhat is
to mo the highest in hope and of most endear-ing
affection. Your generosity has bestowed
on mo an undeserved distinction, one which 1
neither sought nor desired Upon the contin-uance
of that sentiment, and upon your wis-dom
and patriotism I rely to direct and sup-poit
me in the performance of the duties re-quired
at my hands. We have charge of tho
constituents parts, but not the system of our
government. The constitution formed by
our farthers is that of these Confederate Stato.
In the exposition of it, and in judicial con-structions
it has received, we have a light
which reveals its true meaning. Thus in-structed
as to tho just interpretation of the ; i-strument,
and ever remembering that all ci-lices
ar but trusts held for the people, and
that delegated powers are to be strictly con-strued,
1 will hope, by due diligence in the
performance of ray duties, though I may dis-appoint
your expectation, yet to retain when
retiring something of the good will and ooufi-dence
which welcomes my entrance, into
office.
it is joyous in the midst of perilous times
to look arcund upon a people united in heart,
where one purpose and high resolve animates
and actuates the whoh—where the sacrifices
to be made are not weighed in the balance
against honor, rights, liberty and equality.
Obstructions may retard, they cannot long
prevent the progress of a movement sanctified the UNION PARTY.
by justice and sustained by a virtuous peo-ple.
Reverently let us invoke the God of
our fathers to guide and protect su in our ef-forts
to perpetuate the principles which by
His blessing they were able to vindicate, es-tablish
and transmit to their posterity; and
with the continuance of His favor ever grate-fully
acknowledged, we may hopefully look
forwards to success, to peace and to prosperi-t7'
, , , '
Tli Convention.
The proceedings of this body, whieh as
sembles in the Capito to-day, will be looked
io with deep interest, not only by the people
if Virginia, but throughout the Union. It is
charged with great and responsible trosta. It
will represent ihe most emphatic and intelli-gent
expression ol the public sentiment of ihe
Commonwealth that we have ever witnessed
in all our observation of public affairs. The
people scam to have fully understood the true
character and magnitude of the issues involv-ed,
and, therefore, although tbe notice of the
election was short, and the day particularly
inclement, they turned ort in full force nd
easl a vote which we believe will be little
short of thai cast in ihe Presidential election.
The majorities, too, wore unprecedentedly
large. Another significant fact is, lhat the
masses seem, in a great measure, to have ig
nored old party divisions and to have eman-cipated
themselves from tho thraldom of par-ty
leaders. Hence, tho strongest Whig coun-ties
are found electing men of Democratic an-tecedents,
and, on the other hand, the staun-ches
t Democratic counties have returned men
who have heretofore voted with tho Whigs.
There is a deep meaning in all this. It shows
that the people are devoted to the Govern-ment
which was bequaathed to them by
their fathers. It shows '.hat they are ardent-ly
attached to the Union. It shows that
there is a patriotic chord in the popular heart,
which needs only to bo touched, to produce a
vibration from the banks of the Ohio to the
seaboard. As soon as the people were satis-fied
the country was in a danger, they rose in
the majesty of their strength, snapped the
packthreads of party, and pronounced tho
doom of tbe demegogues and conspirators,
who had brought the evils upon the country.
The result of the recent election is full ol
meaning in other respects. The Leglature,
wisely rejecting the counsels of extreme
men, who, under the disguise of devotion to
Southern rights, meditated the overthrow of
tho Government, had initiated a line of poli-cy
having for its object the restoration of
peace and harmony to our distracted country.
All these things have been brought about
by the Virginia elections. Thomajest'c atti-tude
in which she now stands commands the
respect and admiration of the nation. She
has stayed the torrent of secessionism, and
she has caused Northern sectionalism lo pause
in its mad career. Her mild, but firm remon
strances, have brought the country to its sen-ses.
Madness no longer rules the hour. The
sober second thought has begun to Operate
and it is to be hoped lhat wisdom and justice
and moderation will henceforth guide the pub-lic
councils As sectionalism and violence <oi
one side beget sectionalism and violence on
the other, so prudence and forbearance on
the part of the South will beget similar quali-ties
in the North. We already have the most
abundant evidences of this truth in the mark
ed change that has come over tho Northern
mind since the Virginia election. Before
hat lectiin, every thing looked dai k and
gloomy. Within one week after it happen
ed, the rainbow of Hope spanned the politi-cal
sky.
It now remains for the Convention to finish
the worklhal has been so auspiciously begun.
Lot its motto bo, "to ask nothing but what is
right, and to submit to nothing 'hat is wrung "
Firmness is not incompatible with concilia
lion Be just and fear not. Assert the
rights of Virginia with dignity, but without
menaiice or bluster. Reason and justice are
our sword and shield. Let us leave the vul
gar weapons of vituperation and gasconade to
those who are fitted by nature to wear and
use them. Should the Convention act, as we
doubt not it will, in this high spirit—blend-ing
courtesy with determination—we c&nnot
doubt that its labors will be crowned with
signal success.
We are gratified to note the personnel of
the Convention. A large portion cf the tal-ent
and patriotism ff the Stato has boon call-ed
into the public service. Many eminent
men, who have long been withdrawn from
the dusty arena of politics, have been sum
moned by their fellow-citizens to the council
board. This is, as it should be. It is alike
honorable to the givers and recipients of such
testimonials of popular confidence.
We greet the Convention, then, with a hear-ty
welcome, and trust lhat its labors may
prove in a high degree beneficial to the State
and the nation at arge.—Richmond Whig.
The Peace Convention.
The Commissioners of tho States, now sit-ting
in this city, met 12 o'clock, (President
Tyler in the chair,) to take action concerning
Rejecting the proposition to "hitch" Virgin- the funeral of their late fellow-member, lion
ia on to tho car of South Carolina, that body
prudently determined to decline the entang-ling
alliance, and to place the proud old Com-monwealth
in the attitude of a mediator,
staying tho hands of the belligerents, and
tendering the olive branch of peace. To
give effect to this policy so worthy of her
ancient renown, Virginia invited her sister
States to meet her in conference, when all
Judge J. C. Wright, of Ohio.
The remains of the deceased were enclosed
in a coffin and placed in tho ante-room at
lached to the ball.
Tho sitting opened with prayer by Rev.
Dr. Hall, of the church of the Epiphany.
The President then anounced that he recei-ved
a letter Mr. C. J. Wr ght son ot the late
J^dge Wright informing him of tho death of
vention.
Governor Chase, of Ohio, then addressed
the Convention upon the event which had de
prived that body of one of its patriotic and
able members. Tbe speaker gave a brief
'listory ot the public career of the deceased,
i
matters of difficulty could be calmly consid-' his father. The lotter was read to the Con
ered and wisely decided. Tbe invitation had
hardly been given, before our Senators and a
large majority ofour Representatives in Con-gress,
as if to defeat the cherished purpose of
the Legislature, issued a manifesto to the peo-ple
of Virginia, assuring them there was no
hope of a peaceful adjustment, and urging j and concluded 'by offering a series of result
them to go out of the Union at as early a day [ ttt.r.s expressive of the sense of the Cooven
lion at the death ol their colleague.
Governor Wickhffe, of Kentucky, seconded
the resolutions in a brief address, in which he
spoke of his own acquaintan JO with too d-ceased
and of tbe conservatism and integri-ty
lhat ever chars -'erized his publit acts.
Mr. Loomis, of Pennsylvania, follc^rcd,and
wa> succeeded by Governor Ewingi oi Ohio,
who bore testimony to the high character m
I he Ui ceased as an advocate, a lcgisla or, and
a judge.
II ui. W. C. iiives, of Virginia, next spoil ■
aws will allow, retribution, j at some length referring to the vareei of the
Ii overtake the faithless dy-1 deceased in e oquentterms, and repealed the
wish, cxpi'cs.-ed b, the deceased just prior to
his death, 'that the Unio" might be preserv-ed
in all its glory in.i prosperity."
The remui- s were then removed to the
hall, ami the b. ri«l service was read by Rev,
Dr. Hall in an impressive voice, the mem
bet8 standing tin while. After whi'ti, o>
motion of GoV. Chase, ihe Convention ad-journed,
to allow the members to accompany
bo acquired by the United States without the
concurrence of three fourth! of trio Senate;
but no treaty by which lerrrto -y sUll be ac-quired
shall be ratified withr n th.Stwo-third
voto of the Senate, as requited by ^ie consti-tution,
i
Art. 8 That neither the criHti Ltion, nor
any amendment thereof,shall be constructed*
''■■ give Congress power to regulate, ..oolaM
or control within any Slate or i
rhe United States the relation ostai I
ocoguixed by the laws thereof tea i
-ons bound to labor or inv. outer]
herein | nor to interfere with r M'
voluntary serviee in the District of ( ol i
without tho consent of Maryl: nd aui *
ia, and the owners, not wltaeu ma
iwnorswhodo not consent H-evioi.
■ ompensvtion : nor the pow< r t
with or abolish involuntary s. .r
under the exclusive jurisdirtn -
States within th-»se Stales
•vhere the 3amo is establish
nor the power t prohibit . '.
transportion oi persons held
Untaryse-vicein any State r.r T
the United States to any oi In S
iiory thereof m whicl.it iaestabtisli
cognised j nor to authorize specific : ..\
itghet rale ol'taxea on pers i■ †††■ . •■ \
than on land, in proportion lo ralui ; n
authorize any of the African :raco • tin
"Cendants to become citizens or aSMK
right of suffrage in the choiro of f«|hrh<
cers.
Art- 4. That hereafter the
the fourth article of the constitution
be construed to prevent any cf thej
appropriate legislation, and tiirous
tion oi their judicial and minister']
from enforcing the delivery of tug
Ubor from any other State or Tj
the United States to theperso i to*
scavic* ov labor is due.
Art. 5. The emigration or ira >t rtation of
the African race into any State or any Terri-tory
of the United States, wetlu r lot residence
or involuntary service, is fore'er prohibited,
and Congress shall have the power, by appro-priate
legislation, to enforce the provisions of
the article.
Art. 6. That the first secor, I, third and
lifth articles of these amendments, and tho
third paragraph of tho second section of the
constitution, andt bird paragraph of the fourth
article thereof, shall not be amended or obo-lishod
without the consent of all the States.
graph ot
■hall nut
tntes
i tho ar-
I officers,
ves from
.-ritory of
horn such
[by the pub-yd
has rosor-
Eaining lhat
abuses tho confidence ol
f.ilt
as practicable. An issue was thus joined be
tween the Legislature and the Senators and
Congressmen Tin'Congressional manifesto
•ouil be regarded in no oilier light, than as
an appeal from the Legislature to the people
iiicmsi! ves Tl •' ■■ : ' as a Iv tried on
■he I", ii -i'.' '., .a h polls at -i L gish
ie lias in- s-t s ac ion I kl w thai it^
judgment has been affirmed, with costs and
damages against the appellants ! Execution
on this judgment may be delayed foi a time,
but it is inevitable At as early a day as the
Constitution and'
swilt and sure, w
nasty winch now
V ire n a.
N • refl-'Cti'.g mind c m f .il 11 ol wr-ve, also.
that tbe rec nt elections have anuibil i"d all
existing party organtza ions. The Democ-racy
are irredeemably defunct. The Whig and
Douglas organizations have shared ihe same
fate. And we think lhat the signs of tne
limes indicate the disruption of the Republi-can
organization. The process of disinter
gration has already commenced, and must
continue to progress. Everything indicates
tho tendency to new organizations. It is true
in the political as in the physical world, that
when the principal of cohesion—community
of thought and purpose—ceases to exist, par-ties
must resolve themselves into their origi-nal
elements, which will await the action cf
some new power of attraction to unito them
in new combinations.
The slavery question and tho spoils have
heretofore been the cohesive power which
kept tbe Democracy together, and the anti-slavery
feeling and the greed for office have
caused tho Republican organization to spring
up, like a fungus, in a single night The
banishment of tho slavery question Irorn the
halls of Congress will be a death-blow to
both these organizations. Tho discourge-ment,
which tho recent troubles have given
to slavery agitation, has already caused it to
sicken—its withdrawal will bo death.
New organizations must then be formed,
and these organizations must refer to living
questions. The salvation or destruction ol
the Union is the greut question of the day,
and tho new organizations must range them-selves
v.ith regard io that vilal issue. Old
things have passed away, and all things must
become new. "UHION" or "DISUNION" is the
issue; and "UNIONISTS" or "DISINIONITS"
must bo tho party organizations anJ designa-tions.
The conservative Whigs and Demo-crats
of the South and the conservative Re-publicans
of the North, mils', unite in formii.g
a new Union party, while tho destructives of
all shades of opinion by different modes must
the corpse to the railroad, where it was imme- j a prospect that tho affi
diately taken, to be carried to the late home bo ambicably eettlcd,
A Mean D(nlt< ,
Confounded and overwhelm
I'shed evidence against him, J'
ted to tho mean d >dge ol coml
the testimony in the case beforsj ngres-sional
Investigating Committe- eras or parts
.ind that he was not confronts withthe wit-nesses.
Now, ho was himself Mfore the com-mittee
trree times! He had a full and am-ple
oppo.tu'i'ty to explain any connexion he
had with the abstraction of tl'.; bonds, and
the issuance of millions of doling o/acceptan-e.
cs beyond ihe amount he mu-t! have known
that the contractors had aai'jpd. Ho was
warned not only by Senator Pealam in, bat
hy the President, and after all these wain*
ings ho continued to issue these sec
for almost fabulous amounta, and
would cast the responsibility ipoo o
'ubordinateperaoages who !.••• n I
their innocence hr a disrlor !o! ih
transaction The ex-Seoreta I
lianan, whose record, In rogai o tl
the Virginia Stats nonda, whs be was
erneratSii per sent, bates rkei
'as left a stigma upon his integrity,
akes now to relieve himself I
easting it ipon the siil.n'l j
who. it is evident, have realiz I
the proceed ng. a
It is woll known that tbe : ,1
.Mr- Buchanan waaoorrupt' i
ruption and intrigue, sv if w»
manner. Floyd has proved
faulter to t ie Government,ail
lo cover up his crime by a rat i
in order tliat the Stats to wh i h i
shall be ooasidered as no Ion
ihe law* of iho United BtuU >\
' ••!' of this cxeuas bo might ot
lies doe to his culpability.
for him thai Virginia has del
go OUL .it tin- Union precipili
.
er mn i
and in...
is nnfoi ■
.11111,Cit I
eiy. Tii
of tho deceased, in charge of his son.
The Peace Conference.
The following plan of adjustment, it is sta-ted,
has been adopted by tho commissioners
at Washington by a decisive vote, seven
slaveholding and fourteen non-slavcholding
States being represented:
MR. OUITHRIE'S PLAN OF ADJUSTMENT.
Ariiclo I. That all the territory of the
United States shall be divided by a line from
east to wes»„ on the paraded of thirty-six de-grees
thirty minutes north latitude, and in
all territory north of lhat lino involuntary
servitude, except in punishment of crime, is
prohibited whilst it shall beloi g to tho I ni-tcd
States or be under a Territorial govern-ment
; and in al territory south of said line
involuntary servitude is recgnized as it ex-ists
in the Southein State of the Union whilst
such territory shall belong to the United
Stales or be under a Territorial government;
and neither Congress nor the Territorial gov-ernment
shall ha\e the power to hinder or
prevent emigrants to said Territorj from ta-king
with them pcrsous held by them to labor
or involur.try service, according to the laws
or usage ol the State Irom which such persons
may be taken, nor to impair tho right arising
out of siid relations, and be subject to judicial
cognizance. Tho United Stales Courts of i
such Territory shall have jurisdiction thereof
and those rights shall be protected bv the
courts and all the departments of the Terri-ec-
operate for a common object—Disunion ! torial governments, under, or according to the
We prrediictt llhatt befforre tthe 44ithh off Jully this laws of the State from which tbo person
will be the arrangement of parties. Tho Re-publican
organization cannot exist on its
present basis. L'ncoln and Seward will have
the sagacity to see this, and they will prompt-ly
give the cold shoulder to the extreme men
of their party and try to establish a national
party, which will repudiate the the wild ab-surdities
of the Abolition school. A political
necessity will constra n them toabandou not
only ti.o extreme dogmas oftheir party, but
toad pi a new name significant ol the poiicy
of ihe . ew paly ; and ibis name must be
the affairs of, ie ration ■
and &>at K!
havo to render an account to s courts of tl.o
United States. The secetsio i dodge will not
servo the purposes of all tne Icfaulters t
Government. The Commit .'o of Invcst'ga-i
tion has been called toge;hej again, and its
disclosures as to Floyd wi!1 rrtikc him tremble,
in his shoes as to tbe result.-)-A' It'.
!\o Resort to Mrce.
The revolutionary movcmlits in the South |
hare assumed such proport, J.s—so many 4
the people of all the States ar''parties to tm i
—that it will not do to ro*or*to force Iflha
people are determined to do i-Dlhing substan-tial
to quiet the apprehem ioi ■ ol their South-ern
brcthern ; are dolerniiu 1 io doney ng
our constitutional rights--titn they shouldl
prepare tor a peaceful distoiu ..on of tho Un-ion.
Civil war is unnecessary. The shedd-ing
of blood would not rt-tore fraternal tiea jj
would not harmonize the discontented and beJ
ligerent selections. It would only make bud
worse. Tbo better policy, if dissolution is lo]
be forced upon tho South, is to separate peace-fully.
Wo are bound to ret >ain neighbors;1
we cannot improvise an tcean or a soa to di-vide
our territories. We t .st have peace
and repose to be prosperous t id happy. But
we trust, and we confidently bstieve, that
disunion is not to be tho rcajiltof ihe present
crisis—that our troubles arcM et la end in lbs
more permanent ccmenemii . pf the
brotherhood and Union.—/.
ties of
Playing Fat ol
Yancoy having created a revolution shrinks
from its consequences and trios to o! iy t'"j
part of a Washington. In n-o Alabama
ventii.n, he delivered he sai.'l a fur."
dress. He said that be add. tscd I
citizens for tbe last time, c*
bound to such service may have been taken
And when any territory north or south of
said line within such boundary as Congress
may prescribe, shall contain the population
required for a me nber of Congress, according
to the then bderol ratio of representation of yean income, and then roi
the people of the United States, it may. if its with the intentisn never at>
form of government bo republican, be admit i Why will ho not stand the
ted into the Union on an equal footing with Is ho afraid ot tbe spirit h
the original States, with or without involun- , Wushi lgtoj retired to p iv
tacy servitude or labor, as the constitution of ' revolution had been aOceO)pushed, bni
such new Siato m.iy provide. oaysliiks away at the btg'i uung of th
Ai t. 2. That no territory shall hereafter j tie.-—Richmond Whig.
unly for
d to pi
in to ir-a»-
jzard ol ih
has i
S life r.H
9