January 28, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
No Federal troops shall ever enter Virginia to operate against the South! Such was the solemn declaration of FLOYD, of Virginia, long ago. Yet we see that, contemplating the use of Federal troops against the South, the fortresses of Virginia are reinforced. Very beautiful, this! The Government of the United States, which left Harpers Ferry to the tender mercies of JOHN BROWN, arms it against Virginia herself. These fortresses, thus reinforced are to be yielded, in March, to ABRAHAM LINCOLN. How many JOHN BROWNs are to be sheltered in Virginia, under the protection of United States troops, is a question in political arithmetic, which our sister State must answer for herself. There was a time, however, when Virginia could snuff tyranny in the breeze. Does she not see it in these bayonets of the Federal Government?