Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-15
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE,
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
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! as relates to the Wmot Provso and kindred subjects
with instructions to enquire into the expectancy Of an.
pointing delegates to represent Virginia in the Southern
Convention to De held al Nashville in June next to ofei
the report that hold in my hand la view Of the re-
cent and deliberate expressions opinion by the General
Assembly distinctly embodied and decidedly expressed
In the resolutions adopted on the Sth of March l847
ana adopted on the 10th OF January 1919 the sound
ness and appropriateness of which have since received
Interpretation and sanction OF the people of the State
we deem unnecessary TO do more in reference TO this
branch OF the subject than to recommend the present
General Assembly the re-afrnation of those resoIu-
tons, containing the settled fixed and unaterabe de-
termination OF the people OF this commonwealth on the
grave and highly important topics treated OF in the Gov
| ernor's message.
Since the adjournment of the last General Assembly
some OF our sister States have proposed more general
and united action touching the existing and threatened
aggressons on the nights OF the States and people OF the
South by the States and people OF the North These
aggreSsons have been borne for years past and if sub
med to, can only provoke the final consummaon OF
others yet more iutoerable The States and people OF
the South have from time to time demonstrated against
the disregard not the absolute abrogaon of that pro-
vision OF the Constitution which requires the peaceful
and lawful surrender Of slaves abscondng from their
| owners from State into another In some of the
States laws are enacted imposing heavy punishments
on Their citizens who may aid in the execution OF this
provision OF the constlutonof that constitution which
is the supreme law OF the Republic, and to whose be-
hests all good men should yield prompt aud efficient
obedience. With of the clauses thus made nopera-
tye there are other measures OF wrong proposed Tor
Columbia, and its introduction by an act of Congress
from the territories urged with combined force and
| power which may secure the success OF each Should
the friends OF the Unlon, and we OF the South remain
passive spectators of the coming Storm until all shall
be overwhelmed by its crushing violence? Among
| us there Is no division Oh this interesting en-
| quiry--none, in fact, none-all love, nav adore
the Unlon-wlth one voice we all say it must be
pTeseryed--the good and wise, the old and the
young, men OF all parties and all conditions in life,
send up The cry preserve the Union for its blessings
| he spjrit +lo
form In which our fathers gave it rs, and thea will be
perpetual. PerVer it into engine of wrong and in
Jusilcer-use its mighty powers to work out the dark
ends OF anatcism-let the unhoy work be brought to
our homes and iresdes, and become the means Of ght-
ing aservlle war; and then from u.s. worth
less ana deestaos. Such, we apprehend, is the eaul
working OF some dlsorganzersin tie Northern States
How are their movements to be arrested2 We do rot
doubt the justice OF our brethren in the aggregate OF the
| non savehodlng States We would scorn to appeal
to them by any other considerations than those OF pa
trlotsm and OF high sense Of justice. So far, the
masses there have ever been heedfu to such appeals
put 10 make solemn, serious, imposing and efectua
the time has come, when this should be the appeal OF
the people, the Whole and united people oil the South
| Ilat appeal should be calm, firm ami decided. con-
Vention then OF the people OF the South assembled under
such luHueuces, aud impelled by such cous
would, IN our judgment, tie highly conserya-
| tive IN its character. The delegates coming immedi.
ately on the people, and selected Tor their sagacty
prudence, and WISDOM and feeling the high response
olity OF the trust bestowed thenl we believe the
warning voice OF such body of men would be uoten-
ta for good 1t would be listened to by the people and
all theJust and good aud wise Of every part of the
nation 1t would, in the eloquent and impressive lam
guage OF Gov Floyd, prevent submission this usur.
patton OF authority, this violation Of our rights this
wanton degradation" We say with him. let Us insist
that the question be settled now and ever
A few more years OF acquiescence viii bring abou 7
the necessity OF an soute submission to every wrong
which oppression or contempt might heap on our coun.
try. Vigilance and action now, the TO- m suggested
may dspe the threatening cloud that dakens The pre-
seut hour Should this be accomplished how bright aud
fdir hopes tor the future Great as this repubc
IS now, her vast and mighty march hereafter no iunap
Imagination can compass Impeled by these views,
and deening the argument the part of Virginia TO
have been exhausted by the reports OF committees made
to former Legislatures. we recommend the reatfirma
ton OF the resolutions first referred to- and also the adop
ton OF resolution declaring it expedent to appoint
| Delegates to the Southern Convention.
| The preamble and resolutions then read-and
are as follows:
Whereas the action of the General Assembly in ls47
and lS49, upon the wv mot Provso and kindred sub
eets confirmed by the calm approval of the People OF
Virginia, and sustained by the concurrent action OF
other Southern States, has received other response
from the People of the Northern States than violent
denunclatlon and systematic perseverance in the
wrongs OF which complained
Resotred, therefore, By the present General ASSEM-
6y, That we feel under renewed obligations to re-adopt
the resolutions adopted by the Legislature of Virginia in
ls47 and re-atr1ned in le49, aud hereby re-adopt
the said resolutions as the act Of this General Assembly
and declare that Virginia is fully determined to adhere
10 her position then assumed.
Resoloed, further That this General Assembly
heartily approve the proposed Convention OF Southern
States, TO be held at Nashville the first Monday in
June next, and that it will proceed on the - day of
- to the election By joint ballot Of four delegates to
said Convention and that the People of Virginia be re-
gnested TO elect at the next Spring elections delegate
from each Congressional Disuictwhich delegates shall
jointly, with those selected by the General Assembly,
represent this State in said Convention.
Resoloed, That the reasonable expenses Of the said
delegates be paid out OF the public Treasury.
Resolced, That this committee ask leave to sit again
tor the purpose OF preparing address to the People of
Virginia upon the subject OF the foregoing resolutions
Mr.. FERGUSON moved that the Report be printed
Mr.. MAYO hoped that the House would act at once
and together on this queston-as we had this morning
done, with the Message of the Governor.
Mr. PANNIL showed why the resolutions should be
printed.
Mr. SEGAR thought with Mr.. MAYO, that he should
act promptly and at The House was now in tune
and would, no hoped, act uniledy, they had Just
done
Mr. FERGUSON said he had been informed by members
that they had not made up their minds and desired
time 10 deliberate. Mr.. F. thought should gain
trends by giving them time.
| Mr. SHEPARD did not believe that any gentleman
unless he was prepared now would be induced by any
deliheration to vote for the report
| Mr.. CONWAY thought il most important that the re-
port should be actei on promptly, and to-day. Now
was the accepted tme and prompt action would exert
| great moral influence in preserving The Union Mr..
T. could not bring hmselto believe that any members
would take the responsibility and divide the councils of
Virginia by opposing the resolutions. The subject had
been fully discussed and the House was prepared to act
at once. Mr. Z. warmly and strongly sustained the
Southern Convention calculated to secure the Union.
Mr.. SrovALI hoped the resolutions wouI&sbe printed
While he was prepared 10 do every thing TO sustain The
rights othe South and to le-afrm the resolutions of
| lSi7 and lS49 ne was not prepared, and his people
were not prepared, yet 10 sanctonn Southern Con-
yention. Mr.. S. thought We should wait until the
North struck the blow. He was Not now prepared 10
sanction this convention, which might decree disco
| luton oil the Uuion
MIR HARyIF WAS utterly as;onishad IN hear q einol
member here who was prepared to stand by the reso-
luons oil S47 and ls49, refuse sustain the PROPOSE
ton fora Southern Convention. Mr.. Harvie however
had no objection TO The printing of The resolutions so as
TO allow members time TO examine the subject.
Mr. TONNES would not act rashly on this subject
The resolutions not understood by the HOUSE and
it was PROPER thai members should calmlyd berate on
this quesron. At the proper time he would be ready 10
stand by the South,
Mr. CLAIBORNE read the resolutions calling the Nash.
vile Convention show the conservative Character of
that body. He cited the instances OF Virginia sending
commissioners to Kentucky and Mr., Leigh to Sonth
Carola and paying their expenses, showing TO the