Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-29
Virginia Legislature.
Saturday, Jan. 20.


Saturday, Jan. 20.
FEDERAL RELATIONS.
n message was received from the Senate Transmitting
the resolutions OF the House Delegates on the subject Of
Federal relations, with substitute adopted by Senate
his substitute having been laid on the table, motion
OF MIR Barton, was subsequently taken up motion OF
Mr. Broinax, aud is as follows:
.ifr. Nc C'ondS's Cgf CabeH } amendment
Whereas the General Assembly of Virginia, actuated
by an TO preserve the peace and harmony
our common counry relying upon the of Justice
people OF each and every State of the Union a sufficient
pledge that their representatives in Congress will so mod
y the acts laying duties nposts on the importaon of
foreign commodities commonly called the tariff acts that
they will no longer furnish of complaint 10 the peo
pie Of any particular Sate believing accordingly that
the people OF South Carolina mistaken in surprising
that Congress will yci to them relief from the pres
OF those acts especially the suspicious approach of
the eXungulshmento the public debt affords ground
for the Indulgence OF contrary expectation and conf
dent that they too strongly attached the union of
the States to resort TO any proceedings which might dis
solve or endauger it, whilst they have any fair hone of
obtaining their objec: by regular and peaceful moa
sureS; persuaded also, that they will listen willingly and
respectfully TO the voice OF Virginia. earnestly and aec
uohaeiy requesting and enreang them to rescind
pend their late Ordinance, and await the result of COM
bned and strenuous effort OF the friends Union and
to effect adjustment and Cancellation OF all public differ
ences now unhappily exi-ung regarding, moreover,
appeal to force the part of the General Government
on tine part OF the Government OF South Carolina as
measure which nothing hut extreme necessity could ius
THY excuse in either but apprehensye the same time
that If the present OF things allowed to continue
acts violence will occur which may lead to consequences
that all would dcplorc, cannot but deem il solemn duty
10 nterpoSe and mediate between the high contendin
parties by the declaration of their opinions and wishes
which they trust that both will consider and respects there
fore
1. ReSolped by, the General assembly, in the name
and on behalf Cf The People of Virgiria That the
competent Authorities of South Carolina be- and thew ara
hereby earnestly and respectfully requested and
to reJcnd the Ordinance of the Convention of that
State entitled Gan Ordinance TO nulify certain of the
Congress oil the United States purportDg be laws Law
ing duties and mposts the importation of foreign com
modies Or at least TO suspend its operation until the
close of the first session of the next Congress-
p ReSoired, That the Congress of the United States
be, and they hereby earnestly and respectfully re-
quested and enireaied to modify the laying duties
and nposts on the importation of foreign commodities
commonly called the Tariff acts, effect gradual but
speedy reduction OF the resulting of the General
Government 10 the Standard OF the necessary and proper
expenditures Tor the support thereof.
g. Resolved, That the people of Virginia expect and
IN Tue opinion oil The General Assembly, the people Of tile
other States have right to expect that the General Co.
Vernment ana the Government of South Carolina and all
persons acting under the authority of either will carefully
abstain from any and all acts whatever which may be
calculated TO disturb the tranquility OF the country or en-
danger The existence OF the Union.
IL fnd lDheTeGS, considering the opinions which have
been advanced and maintained by the Convention OF South
Carolina in its late Ordinance and Addresses on The one
hand, and by the President OF the UHed States i'm his
Proclamation bearing date The 10th day OF December
1892 Oh the other, the General Assembly deem il due to
themselves ana The people whom they represent to de.
clare and make known their views in relation to some
oil inc important anu interesting questions which these pa
pes present therefore, ReSOired by the General ASSEM-
bly, That they continue regard The doctrines of State
Sovereignty and State Rights set forth i'm the Resol
tons OF 1885, and sustained by the Report thereon of 1900
as true Interpretation of the Constitution of the IT, States
and oil the powers therein given the General Govern
ment but that they do not consider them sanconinr the
proceedings OF = Carolina indicated i'm her said Ordinance
nor as counienncng all the principles assumed by the
PRESIDENT IN his said Proclamation, many Of which are in
direct conflict with them.
). Resored, That this House will bv mint vote with
the Senate proceed This day to elect commissioner
whose duty it shall be TO proceed Immediately TO South
Carolina, aud communicate the foregoing preanbIe and
Oi that yitf,
That they be communicated to the legislature of that
State, any convention of lis citizens or give them such
other direction, in his Judgment may be best calculated
to promote the objects which this commonwealth has in
view; and ll the said commissioner be authorized to
press 10 the public authorities and people of our sister
state, IN iuch manner ds he may deem expcdent
our sincere good will TO sister State, and our anx.
ious sociude that the kind and respectful recommends
lions have addressed to her, may lead 10 an accom-
mediation OF all the difficulties between that State and the
general government
6. Resoiued That the Governor of the Commonwealth
be- and he is hereby requested TO communicate the
foregoing Preamble and Resolutions TO the President NJ
The Umied states; 10 the Governors OF the other States
aud to our Senators aud Representatives in Congress
MI Watkins OF Pr. Ed, then moved TO amend the Sc
mates amendments by striking out the last resouon and
inserting the following:
RcsOired That is expedient TO appoint bv mint vote
Of The Senate and House of Delegates Commissioner
whose duty shall be bear to the Government Of South
Carolina the foregoing preamble and resolutions and use
his best Efforts TO induce that Government to listen TO or
mediation and accede to our advice
Resolved, That the Governor of the Commonwealth no
aud he hereby is requested communicate the fore
preamble and resolutions TO the President Of the United
States to The Governor OF the other States and TO orr Sc
majors ond Representatives in Congress.
Mr. Watkins said that doubtless all who voted for tho
mediation OF virginia between South Carolina and the
beneral government wished to make that mediation Of
iectual There was doubt that tho appointment of
special messenger to bear our resolutions 10 South Cai
and explain Tie views Of Virginia. would render the pro
Dably Of successful result much greater than il would
be II The resolutions by the common means
tie Wouh not further discuss the notion as ne presumed
the snect mad already occupied the minds Of the House
Mr. Moore said he vote against the amendment
Tor many reasons lime would be required for the Sc.
lection OF Coinmssioner-and he dslked The idea of
sending an ambassador from Virginia 10 S. Carolina As If
hey were TWO sovereign powers. Besides when we at
tempt to give advice 10 others we assume supeoriiy
whereas II we intended 10 mediate The parties ought 10
be equal terms.
MI Watkins did not think the objections Of the gen
ue""n would nave much weight as " we ATTEMPTED
10 mediate, we ought 10 take All the means in our power
70 90 u eHccuaIy Tie did not think the use OF the word
ebaS aIof would Influence the Houses and a. 10 giving
ADVICE ~ tha vas assumption of superiority Virginia
wac already guilty Of IT, Tor in the resolutions sbe advises
Souh Caroha TO suspend her ordinanocand IL could do
no h'Fin 70 send an agent 10 enforce this advice
i"e dWeihncni was agreed to, Ayes ~, Noes &C.
Mr.CHmpoell Hoped the amendment as amended would
not oe adopted The appointment Of a commissioner TO
use sucn means as be might st TO effect the object Of
Wo Mons, was measure which Mr.. G. could not
IMPROVE nc would ask what Instructions 10 be given
20 hno was he TO use such arguments 3s bis own mind
nRh suggest Without limitation II the means 70 be used
hs a"eieo"'h nc might use the highest toned qualification