Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Affairs in the Southwest.
Abingdon, Va., May 6th, 1861.
For somedays past volunteers from Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, have been passing along the railroad to Lynchburg and Richmond.
The three companies of volunteers now in barracks at this place, and several hundreds of our citizens, men, women and children, visited the depot for several days, for the purpose of welcoming the soldiers from the distant States to ‘"old Virginia's shore."’ But on each occasion, when there had been such a desire to receive the troops, all were disappointed.
As often as we know that troops are to arrive at the depot, our citizens and volunteers turn out to give them a hearty welcome.
The six companies of volunteers which have been raised in this county, have been, and are yet very anxious to get into the contest.
So far they have been pretty regularly and well drilled.
Abingdon, as all are aware, has been made a place of rendezvous for the counties of Lee, Scott, Russell and Washington.
A few days since Governor Floyd made an excellent address to the volunteer companies.
As a matter of course, it was like all he says and does, right to the point.
The members of the old political parties are down upon their former leaders and champions of the North--men whom each party delighted to honor.
I refer to Cass, Pierce, Buchanan, Douglas, Cushing, Dickenson, Fillmore, Everett and Stockton.
How manfully each of these ‘ "Northern men with Southern principles,"’ in former days, contended for the rights of the South!
But then they wanted votes of Southern men!
Now they want to build up a popularity at home.
Old Buck once said that if the North ever attempted to interfere with Southern rights or ‘"invade the South, he would put his knapsack on his back and his musket on his shoulder, and travel South to fight in her defence!"’ Fillmore said in 1856 that the election of a sectional President and Vice President would be a dissolution of the Union.
Now, that event has occurred, and he says it is the duty of every man to defend the Constitution and the Union at all hazards!
Com. Stockton and the others are equally as bad and as treacherous to their former pretensions.
The truth is, ninety-nine out of a hundred of the Yankee nation will do anything --preach, teach school, be Whig or Democrat, Methodist or Presbyterian; be a dancing master or a ring-master, steal negroes in Africa, or entice them to runaway here, if they think it is the nearest cut to a dollar.
Colonel John A. Campbell, one of the members of the State Convention from this county, by invitation, made a speech to-day to the people.
The hour was very inclement, and consequently there were not many from the country to hear him. He delivered an excellent speech.
It will tell on the day of election.
He denounced Lincoln and his party; spoke of the noble efforts Virginia had made to save the old Union; but that Lincoln had dissolved it — had released every State from all obligations to be bound by the Federal Government.
As Washington county had given a very large majority for the Union candidates — of whom he was one--he now desired the old county to give the largest vote she ever polled for the Ordinance of Secession.
He spoke in high terms of praise of President Davis, Vice President Stephens, and the Constitution of the Southern Confederacy.
He remarked that although he always loved the old Federal Constitution as a great work, yet, in all candor, he must say that the Constitution of the Southern Confederacy was superior to it in many respects — that no man could object to it. He said that when fighting was to be done, he was to be counted in for the fight.
He appealed to the people to vote for the Ordinance of Secession, and said, ‘"If the voters of Washington county did not give it their support, he would be greatly disappointed in them — would blush, and hang his head in shame, and resign his seat in the Convention. "’ There was a general declaration, ‘"We'll do it!"’ ‘"We'll do it!"’ ‘"We'll do it!"’ He spoke in high terms of the officers of the Army and Navy, especially of Gen. Lee and Gen. Joseph Johnston.
Capt. James T. Preston and B. R. Johnston, Esq., were called upon by the audience for speeches.
Each gentleman responded in an appropriate manner.
It is useless to say more than they told the people of the designs of the Lincoln rabal, to overrun Virginia, and divide it amongst themselves!
When that time comes we will be with them in ‘"six troubles, and in the seventh not forsake them."’ 