Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-12-31
From The Washington Union.]
cprcIaI MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR FLOYD

anl bearing upon the existing agitation of the country
both exremes of the Union. She has been averse 10 i'm
passioned and precpae action and has waited in the hop
that returning Of and of duty would rcnde
any nterposon her part unnecessary with those State
and communities in which feelings of discomfort prevailed
She seems 10 huve waited long, and almost IN vain.
length the governor has felt il be his duty to bring TN
whole TO the attention Of the legislature and this III
has done In special message which we propose briefly Il
review. We do not entirely concur in all the recommenda
lions of Gov Floyd; and yet with much that lie says W.
perfectly agree; and so far respects the lofty tone patriot
temper and the dgnied style Of his message EXPIRES
our unqualified admiration and approval.
We will proceed 10 state how far we concur with him. be
fore touch The only point which we respectfully dis
sent We agree with that il is highly necessary and exped
en that The Legislature of Virginia should take this subec
of agitation upon the rights OF slavery into consideration
that should be devised check this agitation II
the North, and 10 bring about if practicable union anc
harmony of action among all the States OF the repub
lic TO this end; that the action Of Vermont is alarming
and refractory and calls for prompt and eecua repu
du0 the part OF every other State in the confedera
cy and that the Legislature of Virginia ought TO unite in
earnest appeal to all the Southern States wait patient
y the further progress OF affairs and, whatever is resolved
on to let the Southern States march firmly and harmon
ousy together in the path that duty themselves and TO the
Union consrain them TO adop-f that path lead to acqu
escence 10 tread hand in hand 10 resistance 10 march
shoulder shoulder into the breach Thus far agree
thus far we happily pursue the same road together.
We come 10 the point from which we dissent. The
point is the recommendation for call Of national conyen
ton, TO meet eay-perhaps early in May next Wa
cordially approve the plan of holding convention OF all the
States if any such convention be deemed necessary Sec
ona conventions in the present crisis Of the country
partial and Intellectual remedies. They produce little
any good Whatever Is done should be radical and eec
tive.
The chief grounds which we object to nation
al convention early day are these: L. The time
Is too short to organize the movement some time
being essential for Virginia TO prepare the pro-
position 10 be submitted The Legislature of Mis-
sisspp South Carolina North Carolina, Texas Vermont
and Ohio either have just adjourned will have completed
their abors and adjourned before This project can be properly
matured for their action II would be difficult 10 reassembe
them in time provide for the occasion. We think the
first attempt should be directed TO the action OF the States
themselves TO end this agitation against the rights
Of the slavehoding States This be done by adopting
in the Virginia Legislature basis of State action some
what in its general outline like that oil the Georgia conven-
ton and earnestly calling upon all the other States to raty
and confirm it, Perhaps it would be advisable also, TO re.
quest the respective Legislatures to instruct the Senators and
In Congress from each State faithfully TO
adhere such general principles of compromise and TO
press all further disturbance of these slavery measures which
have been already adjusted by Congress 1t would also be
advisable request every State in the Union TO act on these
propositions ,ray the or and TO soemny pledge the
faith and honor each State 10 abide honestly by the course
that il h in this instance TO pursue and approve s.
The developments respecting the passage OF this Vermont
nuAyng statute which have light since Gov.
Foyds message afford reason 10 hope that the people
Of that State may take In hand this gross fraud that has been
pracsed upon hem and repeal this obnoxious act of their
own accord Should they do this of the main
assigned by the for national convention will have
removed The suggestions which we take the liberty
cies The resolutions proposed to be addressed TO all the
States by the Legislature of Virginia will necessarily call
the attention of Vermont TO this subject Thus for good
for evil would the policy of each be distinctly avowed and
made known The Legislatures of Pennsylvania ~ York.
ssachuses and other Northern States well as South
ern, will assemble and their inclnations must be
shown. Within less than year can the legislative action OF
every State the Union be obained and this will at
demonstrate what footing the whole matter rests
lme-say year-might be fixed within which each State
should be respectfully asked 10 their concurrence
sIa
in their stead declare their plan OF action When the
ground is thus carefully surveyed the South and the North
will each know their true position and how TO regulate their
conduct Suppose the people OF Vermont should, as we
have some assurances they would think proper 10 repeal
their MULTIPLYING law, and the people of Ohio should become
more rational and consdeate Of the rights OF the South
than some Of their members of the Legislature have mani
tested disposition be- would these facts be worth TAX
ing into the estimate in resolving what TO do in this ener
gency7 We believe man can deny the proprety OF this
Or the other hand suppose Vermont were to perseyee IN
awess course and Ohio any other State to be-
come infected by her example, and the other Northern ard
Western free States should concur in such great principles
of concord satisfactory the South would not this
state Of the materially affect the System OF
dies the South would feel called upon pursued But all
the States refuse to cooperate with the
South or large proportion of them TO render satis
factory adjustment this basis impracticable then
tiona convention might be called by the Legislatures Of
Virginia and the other States for the special and ercre
pose of regulating This subject Of sarery and fgrs sLares
to carry into practical effect the federal constitution these
subjects and not change III TO endeavor 10 heal these dis
sensons, and 10 compromise the difficulties and If This
course prove unavailing, then il might be provided
that the Southern delegates should withdraw return 10
their limits, appeal TO their constituents 10 deter
mine some available remedy for healing this breach
among the States, establish such Independent
organization would protect their rights and place them
beyond the reach OF future aggression from their athess
brethren Of the slaveholdng States This considerate
and conciaory would have the further advantage of
enabling the people of all the States in the Union TO reflect
on and ~ check and restrain ne
violence of portion Of their public servants and to stm-
10 nd
dom and patriotism of the resdes OF the country are TO be
relied all times when they can be brought
10 bear tho policy Of the governments for after ALL that
the great appellate tribunal of the country This would
which they could justify In the eyes OF mankind
without dgracng the memories OF their revolutionary an
cestos and having thus exhausted the cup Of reconciliation
Ia vain they could boldly take their station among the
tons of the world and their with equal confidence
TO the God Of peace or battles for vindication.
But we ought fear that any such terrible alternative
would be presented. We strongly hope that frank rational
and appeal made by the legislative authority of Viz
gnia oil her sister States of the Noh South, and West
Of Justice and that would result in the final and concu
sve settlement of this vexed question of slavery TO the sat
sfacton of ALL Let the effort be made. Let Virginia take
The lend Pennsylvania, trust, would speedy come TO
her aid other States would follow And any were 80 lost
all of shame and of duty 10 prove rccrean let
united movement be set on foot which would induce these
States accede 10 the terms OF compromise
or exclude them from the benefits of the Union Meantime
aggression be offered the South wait in the certainty
that she is sacrificing any present advantages and come
10 it her adversares This consideration should
inspire patience well rmness and perfect reliance on
strength il It's for the weak 10 fret and buste the
strong lock danger in the face without blnnching The
South should prepare for this struggle with cooncss so that
she may strike in triumph She should neither invite nor
shrink from the onset, come when II may.
This message of Governor Floyd fall TO arrest the
attention of the whole country al this peculiar crisis II is
the first proposition emanatng from high authority which
looks general settlement Of the disturbing question Of
the times. The convention of Georgia adopted platform
of the patriotic and substantial principles but they ex
tended further than the action of the State of Georgia
hersef The Legislature of Mississippi acquiescing in the
suggestion Of Gov Quiman vas sectional in its views
and too irritating in lis temper Such is the disposition Of
the Legislature of South Carolina only aggravated in
fold degree The Legislature of Vermont its close acted
with as papable want OF honesty OF patriotism. The
legislature of Ohio is of most doubtful compilations;
Massachusetts nearly the same; New York not KNOWN
Pennsylvania, In all probability, sound and true In this
condition of affairs State pursuing it course, and
by diversity of dlstracng causeswe should
regard miracle if anything should result but confu-
sion conounded The suggestion Of Governor Floyd
il confined and sober appeal 10 all the espec
tive States in the sentiments and measures Of
redress and of peace would produce the mos, beneficial
advantages II would unable the States TO unite d.
vide with full knowledge Of tho points OF agreement
of indifference, and also Of the ground which they res
pecyey stand. For this purpose hope il will assume
this shape and that the legislature of Virginia will prompt
ly upon with that prudence and rmness which have
distinguished her course In all great public emergencies
We have looked mode something like this the only
by which these unhappy discussions could be Queted