Virginia and the Struggle for Southern Independence - Published January 1st 1862

A news article from the Richmond Daily Dispatch Newspaper, published January 1st 1862

VIRGINIA AND THE STRUGGLE FOR SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE

It must be gratifying to every Virginian to know that she has not been behind any of her sister States in contributing to the great struggle which is now being waged for Southern independence; but more especially is it a source of pride to feel that the efforts of our good old mother are appreciated by others than those who are identified with her either by birth or nativity. The following extract is taken from a letter in the New Orleans Delta, from its intelligent and observing correspondent now in Virginia:

The statistics presented by the Adjutant General of Virginia are interesting, as showing the extent to which this state has aided the cause of the Confederacy, the strength she has added to our armies in men, arms and munitions. I have sometimes been much grieved to hear thoughtless people decry the patriotism and energy of Virginia, as to the share she has taken in the conduct of the war. I am forced to believe that such people have not taken pains to inform themselves of the true state of affairs; since even a superficial investigation would have been sufficient to convince them of their error. We all remember the intense anxiety with which the people of the original seceded States looked towards Virginia; how they appealed to her glorious traditions, her brilliant history; the memory of her illustrious dead; the patriotism of her living sons; how they mourned for her when they doubted her fidelity and her affection; how they hailed her adhesion to the cause with a universal burst of enthusiasm; how the bonfire blazed upon every hill top, and the cannon thundered through every valley and along every plain of the South, when her Convention at last passed the secession ordinance. Nor has the brave old State disappointed our hopes. Her sons have flocked by tens of thousands to her standard, and upon many a bloody field have proven their prowess and illustrated their patriotism. As to the tyrant George, so to the despot Lincoln, they bare their bosoms and their swords; as to one tyrant, so to all; as in 1776, so in 1861.