Doc. 35.-proclamations of Gov. Letcher, June 14, 1861.
The majority, thus declared, therefore, have a right to govern. But notwithstanding this right, thus exercised, has been regarded by the people of all sections of the United States as undoubted and sacred, yet the Government at Washington now utterly denies it, and by the exercise of despotic power is endeavoring to coerce our people to abject submission to their authority. Virginia has asserted her independence. She will maintain it at every hazard. She is sustained by the power of ten of her sister Southern States, ready and willing to up-hold her cause. Can any true Virginian refuse to render assistance. Men of the Northwest, I [168] appeal to you, by all the considerations which have drawn us together as one people hereto-fore, to rally to the standard of the Old Dominion. By all the sacred ties of consanguinity, by the intermixtures of the blood of East and West, by common paternity, by friendships hallowed by a thousand cherished recollections and memories of the past, by the relics of the great men of other days, come to Virginia's banner, and drive the invader from your soil. There may be traitors in the midst of you, who, for selfish ends, have turned against their mother, and would permit her to be ignominiously oppressed and degraded. But I cannot, will not, believe that a majority of you are not true sons, who will not give your blood and your treasure for Virginia's defence.
I have sent for your protection such troops as the emergency enabled me to collect, in charge of a competent commander. I have ordered a large force to go to your aid, but I rely with the utmost confidence upon your own strong arms to rescue your firesides and altars from the pollution of a reckless and ruthless enemy. The State is invaded at several points, but ample forces have been collected to defend her.
There has been a complaint among you that the eastern portion of the State has enjoyed an exemption from taxation to your prejudice. The State, by a majority of 50,000, has put the two sections on an equality in this respect. By a display of magnanimity in the vote just given, the East has, by a large majority, consented to relinquish this exemption, and is ready to share with you all the burdens of Government, and to meet all Virginia's liabilities. They come now to aid you as you came in former days to aid them. The men of the Southern Confederate States glory in coming to your rescue. Let one heart, one mind, one energy, one power, nerve every patriot to arm in a common cause. The heart that will not beat in unison with Virginia now is a traitor's heart; the arm that will not strike home in her cause now is palsied by coward fear.
The troops are posted at Huttonsville. Come with your own good weapons and meet them as brothers!
[L. S.] |
Given under my hand, and under the seal of the Commonwealth, this 14th day of June, 1861, and in the 35th year of the Commonwealth.
By the Governor:
For Ratification | 125,950 |
For Rejection | 20,373 |
Majority for Ratification | 105,577 |
And to the end that the entire vote of the State, as far as it can be ascertained, may be known to the people, I have estimated the vote of the counties from which returns have not been received, taking the same from the local papers and from sources believed to be correct, or nearly so, and append it to this proclamation.
I do, therefore, further declare that the said ordinance has been ratified by the qualified voters of this Commonwealth, and in conformity to its provisions, do annex hereto a copy thereof, together with the schedule accompanying the same. And whereas, by another ordinance, “for the adoption of the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America,” passed on the 25th of April, 1861, it is provided that the said ordinance shall cease to have any legal operation or effect if the people of this Commonwealth upon the vote directed to be taken on the Ordinance of Secession shall reject the same; and it now appearing by the said vote that the people have ratified the said Ordinance of Secession; therefore, I do further proclaim, that the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America, ordained and established at Montgomery, Alabama, on the 18th day of February, 1861, is now in full force in this Commonwealth, and must be respected and obeyed.
[L. S.] |
Given under my hand, as Governor, and under the seal of the Commonwealth, this 14th day of June, 1861, and in the eighty-fifth year of the Commonwealth.