cannot endure permanently half slave and half free, and that the public mind must rest in the belief that slavery is in the course of ultimate extinction.
This sectional combination for the subversion of the Constitution has been aided in the States by elevating to citizenship persons who, by the supreme law of the land, are incapable of becoming citizens, and their votes have been used to inaugurate the new policy hostile to the South and destructive to its peace and safety.
On the 4th of March next this party will take possession of the Government.
It has been announced that the South shall be excluded from the common territory, that the judicial tribunals will be made sectional; that war must be waged against slavery until it shall cease throughout the United States.--The guarantees of the Constitution will then no longer exist; equal rights of the States will be lost.
The slaveholding States will no longer have the power of self- government or self-protection, and the Feder
y seek to amuse you with delusive hope until your election, that you may defeat the friends of secession.
If you are deceived by them, it shall not be my fault.
I have put the test fairly and frankly.
It is decisive against you now. I tell you upon the faith of a true man, that all further looking to the North for security for your constitutional rights in the Union ought to be instantly abandoned.
It is fraught with nothing but ruin to yourselves and your posterity.
Secession by the 4th day of March next should be thundered from the ballot-box by the unanimous voice of Georgia, on the 2d day of January next.
Such a voice will be your best guarantee for liberty, security, tranquility and glory.
R. Toombs.
The Minute Girls of South Carolina.
There was a large gathering in front of the Congaree House, Columbia, S. C., one night last week, attended by a band of music.
Several wild but eloquent speeches were made.
The grand incident of the evening, and a happy finale t
as an article in the Tribune of the next morning, giving Lincoln's determined purpose not to yield one iota of the Chicago platform.
This settles the business.
It kills at one blow both of the Union-saving Committees.
It accounts for the vote in the Committee of Thirteen on Crittenden's amendment.
It proves the correctness of the position taken in my letter to the Dispatch of December 7th: That the best way to avert civil war was to get Maryland and Virginia out of the Union before the 4th of March, so as to make coercion madness.
Its effect on Mr. Crittenden was to throw him into despair of the Union.
Mr. Toombs yesterday telegraphed Georgia that compromise was impossible, and nothing was left but prompt, separate State action.
I know this most positively.
Why cannot Virginia rely on herself, in this great emergency?
It is too late for co-operation.
The crash is upon us. Let Virginia prove her fearlessness.
A member, who has the ear of Sherman, Grow Kellogg, and all th
vention to be held?
Will it be called within a month — a year — or ten years? Who can answer?
He wanted a Convention forthwith--just as quick as it could be called — so that Virginia and the entire South might be out of the Union before the 4th of March. For one, he was not willing to remain till Lincoln had taken his seat and rivetted the chains upon us. South Carolina had gone out — she may have acted precipitately; but right or wrong, he was with and for South Carolina, and would defend heof a sectional majority, and at the same time afford the most ample and effectual security for the practical enjoyment of all the rights of the people of the South, that the said Convention should declare Virginia out of the Union before the 4th day of March next.
R. T. Daniel, Esq., was called for, and responded at length in favor of the resolutions of the Committee, and in opposition to those of Mr. Crenshaw.
He was opposed to rash, hasty action.
The grievances of the South were great,
v. A. E Dickenson and B. W. Snead, Esq. delivered addresses.
About four hundred dollars will be realized.
Here, as in every other portion of the State, a deep and solemn feeling pervades the people in reference to the great issues now before the country.
Cockades are frequently to be seen, and the feeling of resistance seems to be gaining favor hourly.
I was told recently of a clergyman, residing in an adjoining county, whose servants had in some way gotten the impression that the 4th of March next they were all to be set free by Lincoln; their master thought it best to call them together and to explain the whole matter to them.
He told them how mean the Abolitionists are, and how they treat the negroes after they carry them to the North, and closed by saying that as many as were willing to be free, might have their liberty, and that, after taking a day to reflect on the subject, all who wished to go North should have permission to do so. At the time appointed, one came to let
at Madison Court-House last week, $700 were subscribed to purchase arms, and among the other resolutions the following were adopted:
That it is the duty of Virginia, in view of the danger that threatens her forthwith to dissolve her connection with the existing Federal Government, and assume the position of an independent State.
That she should immediately thereafter invite every slaveholding State to co-operate with her in the formation of a Southern Confederacy prior to the 4th of March next.
That each State upon assuming the position of a separate, independent, sovereign State is entitled to her due share of the public property, including the Territories of the United States, and is justly liable for her proportion of the public debt; and if not done before, immediately after the formation of a Southern Confederacy.
these rights should be demanded, and if not yielded, should be enforced; and the obligation to pay the proper share of the public debt assumed.
A
ad never been seen before.
No Legislature since the foundation of the Government had met under such peculiar circumstances.
He would do no more now than to say that the eyes of the Union are fixed on Virginia.
He hoped she would always maintain her commanding position, whether in or out of the Union.
To do this she must act calmly, wisely and well.
He had been asked how long the Legislature would be in session.
He could not say; but thought that it should continue so till after the 4th of March. He would have the Legislature ready, so that should a necessity arise, it would be in place to apply the first match.
He alluded to the Governor's proclamation — the contract for the sale of the James River and Kanawha Canal Company, and spoke favorably of the sale.
In alluding to the Banks, he said they would occupy much time.
There was not a citizen in the Commonwealth that objected to the course they had pursued, (alluding to their suspending.) We must relieve them and put them on
ession of either one of them will be regarded as an act of hostility, and you may then put your command into either of them which you may deem most proper to increase its power of resistance.
You are also authorized to take similar defensive steps whenever you have tangible evidence of a design to proceed to a hostile act."
It is said that serious apprehensions are, to some extent, entertained — in which I do not share — that the peace of this District may be disturbed before the fourth of March next.--In any event, it will become my duty to preserve it, and this duty shall be performed.
In conclusion, it may be permitted me to remark, I have often warned my countrymen of the dangers which now surround us. This may be the last time I shall refer to the subject officially.
I feel that my duty has been faithfully, though it may be imperfectly, performed; and whatever the result may be, I shall carry to my grave the consciousness that I at least meant well for my country.
be printed.
Mr. Stuart offered the following, which was ordered to be printed.
It lies over under the rules:
Whereas, it has been extensively reported through the public prints in different parts of the Union, that certain risk and ill-advised citizens of Virginia meditate, if they have not already set on foot, a conspiracy to seize the fortifications and other property of the United States within the limits of Virginia and to invade the District of Columbia, on or before the 4th of March next, and by violence and force of arms, to take possession of the public buildings and other public property of the United States within said District, for the purpose of obstructing the operations of the Federal Government; and, whereas, any such seizure or invasion would tend to destroy the peace of the country, and to produce tumult, anarchy and bloodshed, and would be in derogation of the dignity and sovereign power of Virginia, who alone has the power to decide, through her regularl
Congressional. Washington, Jan. 15.
--House.--The Territorial business was postponed for two weeks.
The Army Appropriation bill was taken up.
Mr. Regan, of Texas, made a speech, in which he said the Republicans had sullenly held back, declaring that they had no peace propositions to make.
If they adhered to their course, by the 4th of March few, if any, Southern States would be left in the Union.
The Republicans wanted the dissolution of the South or dissolution of the Union.
The South only asks what are her constitutional rights.--If she can't get these, she prefers independence out of the Union.
Mr. Stanton, of Ohio, responded, and said the principles on which the Government was founded could not be surrendered under any threats of civil war. He denied that the Republican organization would now or hereafter interfere in any way with slavery in the States.
He asserted that Lincoln's administration would be conducted on the principles of Jefferson, Madison,
