Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-01-21
SOUTHERN CONVENTION.

the proceedings of the House Of Delegates. The
prompt and unanimous action of tina, body. in re.
card 10 the mpudent and insulting resolutions Of
The Legislature OF Vermont, must meet the appro-
baton of every citizen of the Commonwealth
We think the force of the resolution, directing the
Governor 10 return them, was weakened by the
amendment, which instructed him to say that
Virginia knew her rights and would maintain
them. The return of the resolutions would have
been sufficient evidence Of that fact, and the re-
proof of oficious and un ustifable intermeddling
more cutting had the return been effected in con :
tempiuous silence, without note o. comment
But this is mere matter of taste. There can be
no diversity of opinion, however that the House
did Jus, what it ought TO have DONE " hen with
out a dissenting voice it directed the insulting
document 10 be thrown into the teeth ofthose who
sent it.
We most sincerely wish the further proceed
il. orof Saturday bad been OF a character TO COM
r.. d like unanImty. But such they were not.
~ resolution, offered by the Select Committee,
for the appointment of four delegates by the Lee
gisature, and the election of fifteen others by the
people, TO attend the Convention ofhe Southern
States, proposed to he held in Nashville, we con-
ceve TO be the most important ever offered in the
House of Delegates. 1t takes the people by sur
prise. They were not prepared for movement
which involves at once dissolution of the Union.
For disguise it you will the object ofthis Con-
vention is to familiarize the public mind with
the idea of dissolution. Now we are thoroughly
assured that the people of Virginia, with mere
fractional exception are devoedly attached to
the Union, and will not sanction any measure
which has a tendency to destroy it. The resolu-
tons adopted by the Legislature, al the session
of'46-'7, and le-aiirmed by an increased MAORI
ty at the last session. embodied the public senti-
ment and came fully up to the necessities of the
case. We know that many who doubted the ex-
pediency OF their adoption at fist, and ofther re-
affirmation last winter, now take their stand upon
them as on necessary platform. They com.
mand that unanimiy desirable to give moral
force to the position assumed by Virginia. Will
the project of Southern Convention command
that unanimity? We confidently assert that il
will not The state of things, contemplated by
the resolutions, involving the necessity of the fu-
ture action of the State, has unquesonably not
yet arrived. No new aggression has been at
tempted Matters remain Just as they were when
the resolutions were re-aiiirmed Virginia, by
her General Assembly, has, without indulging a
threat, SAID that there was point of aggression
upon her rights beyond which she would moi
tamely submit. This is, moreover the unanimou,
sentiment of her people. Does not self-respec,
require that she should at least, wait for some e
glslaiion by Congress- partaling of a character to
justify the contingent action contemplated bv the
resolutions II will be time enough to consider
the mode and measure of redress, when slavery
is abolished, by act of Congress- in the District OF
Columbia; or when the WiImot Provso has been
engrated upon bill providing for territorial
government; or when the internal slave trade i.
interfered with by federal legislation; or when
any other papable outrage upon Southern right,
shall nave received the sanction of the House OF
Representatives, the Senate and the Presdent-
No doubt the resolutions contemplated, in the
event of one or all of these acts being consumma.
ted Southern Convention. But the contingent
cy has not lappened-nor do we believe it will
happen. 10 take other and extreme measures
at the present moment, is but to set aside the res
olutlons, adopted and re-adopted under circum
stances Composing.
What is the Convention TO do? Is if 10 he an
thonzed to organize, at once, Southern Confed
cracy Are our Delegates TO be invested will
the authority TO bind Virginia unconditionaly. tC
Whatever may be resolved upon by the Convcn
non We deny the right of the Legislature tc
take any such step. If the fatal necessity should
arse Tor Virginia to seCede, secession can be eE
iected only by the same agency which brouqh
her into the Union-a Convention of the People
The Legislature goes beyond its appropriate func
IONS and constitutional powers, when it attempts
10 provide Tor the representation of Virginia in {
sectional convention, and the acts Of that bod,
VIII have no binding force upon our citizens.
We do not know what may be the fate of the
resolution reported by Mr.. Claiborne, from the
Select Committee. 1t may pass, as its friend,
boast, ny decided majority. Influences may be
brought 10 bear and the votes secured of members
who secretly distrust and disapprove the mea
'ure-but, OF one thing are assured, that a
convention, like that contemplated is not demand
ed by public sentiment.