Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-03-27
THE VIRGINIAN.
A. w. c. TERRY, EDITOR.
LYNCnBURG, MARCH "a, 1881
Mr. scott,s IsesoIut;ons.


as one of the most unrniiigated resolu-
tionis,s in the Union; and, under ordinary
circumstances, we should be opposed TO
any further expression other sentiments on
the complicated questions growing out of
the interrninable discussion of"Fedcral Re
lations - but now there seems to be an
propriety, nay apalpable necessity.
for making some response to her sister
State of South Carolina who has directly
appealed to Virginia TO know her posi-
fion in the present aspect ofaffairs. South
Carolina may probably be, and doubtless
Is, counting ON the cooperation of Virginia
in efecting dissolution of the Union; and
she very frankly asks to know whether in
seeding, she may expect the countenance
and support of this State. Ii is the duty
of the Legislature then to say whether she
may expect aid from us or not; whether
this State will abide the recent adjustment
measures, or whether it prefers to rip open
the subject anew, and take the chances for
better settlement. The Wing party and
| Union Democrats are for acquiescing in
this settlement and are in favor of frank
declaration to that effect, to South Carolina,
whilst there appears to be portion of the
Democratic party who wishes to stave off
all action on the subject.
This necessity for DEFINING the posi-
ton of the State was manifested, and very
generally acknowledged, in the early part
of the session; and as the Democrats have
an overwhelming majority in both branch
es Of the Legislature, it was meet and pro-
per that the Wings should defer to the
pleasure of the dominant party, as to the
time for action, and accordingly they have
not moved in the matter, until now, when
the session has almost reached It's close,
and it had become manifest in the opinion
of the minority, that the majority was dis
posed to give the subject the go-by.
Under these circumstances Mr.. Scott of
Fauquier introduced the resolutions re-
ferred to, and invited the decision of the
Legislature upon the propositions they
present Contrary to all expectations the
resolutions were assailed by the majority
as the offspring of a Wing caucus, and in
tended rather to benefit the Wing party
than to define the position of Virginia.
When assured to the contrary, and invited
to point out any realobections to them, the
Democracy replied, 'they are of Wing Or
igin, and may give the Wing party some
eclat whereas the Democratic party is
entitled to all the eclat that can grow out
of this subject, and therefore the Demo
cratic party must take the matter in hand,
have committee to report on the subject,
and thus appropriate to itselfal the credit
that may result from the action ofthe Leg
islature." The only objection to the reso-
lutions themselves, (Which by the way we
have not pretended to examine,) was that,
they could not enure to the benefit of the
Democracy; and this too after the Wings
have been repeatedly reminded that this
wasaquestion aboveall party, and as repeat
eddy invited to treat it in this light What
a causuc commentary is this action ofthe
dominant party, on their protested mega
ton ofparty influences, in the treatment of
a subject which is confessedly above all
lparty!
But, we forbcar further comment until
we learn defnitively the action of the Lcgis-
lature on this highly important subject
In the meantime we subjoin synopsis of
the debate on the resolutions, which we
find in the Richmond Times:
Had vote been taken on the resolutions either
on Thursday evening when they were first introdi-
ccd, Friday evening, there is little doubt
that they would have been adopted for il is well un-
derstood that large majority of the Legislature
would affirm the truths they declare if the question
could be brought to direct vote. But the fact that
the resolutions were offered by Wing member was
enough to make the Democratic party unwilling TO
net upon them. Hence ePostponcment Of Thurs
day evening, and hence the movements of Friday
evening" which to describe. The ma
jority had obtained time for determining their game
and they played it accordingly with great unanini-
ty.
Mr.. Flournoy, the selected spokesman moved to
refer the resolutions to select committee and he
| and Mr.. Crutchfeld agreed in general terms that
they were Objectionable and ought have the con-
sderation of n committee. When we entered the
hail. Mr.. Scott of Fauquer wa. earnestly defending
the resolutions He said they had been prepared
with sedulous desire to meet the views Of all and
demanded pepf abo H.,
they considered them objectionable. Mr. Crutch-
held met this, by insisting the right ofthe raiori-
~ to take the whole matter in their hands, and CON
cluded by asking the previous question Mr. Scott.
| OF Powatan, and MIR. Boiling warmly protested a.
gainst the gag which the majority thus attempted TO
enforce. The was taken and the call for the
previous question failed, SO to 81.
This seemed to defeat of those who were bent
upon smothering the resolutions. The question re-
CURED on the motion to refer a select committee
MIR. Boiling addressed the House in an indignant
strain in condemnation of the defeated effort to APP
ply the previous question.
MIR. Scott, of Powhatan, resisted the proposition
tor select committee and expressed his apprehcn-
sion that such committee, Reconstructed fmembers
entertaining the views Of Mr. Flournoy, would make
report which might have the furious results
He denied the truth of an mputation which had been
made that the resolutions had their origin in party
motives, and said that, for his part, they were not
strong enough. Hewas for telling South Carolina
that ii she chose TO secede. she expect come
into collision with the Federal Government.
Several Democratic members now made speeches
Mr. Martz, of Rockingham, old stager ofthe Tenth
Legion, advocated the reference but he declared him
self Union man, and ready fight in the last ditch
to preserve the Union. He said the third resolution
was Objectionable
MIR. Campbell, of Nottoway, spoke in a somewhat
undecided strain, in favour of the reference. He
said he was unprepared to upon the resolutions
inasmueh as they might need slight amendments
He thought, in the main, they came very nearly up
to his views.
MIR. Mortimer johnson took the floor but the on
y feature of his speech we recolect was saving
that the Democracy had already shown their inten-
ton avoid this question, by the resolutions
they had adopted certain late caucus, in which
Mr.. Wise fgnred very prominentlx. lie GOT the