The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-02


The resolutions lately pending before the
Legislature of Virginia, in relation to South
Carolina and the Compromise, have finally
passed both branches, with some slight modifi-
cations. We subioin the remarks Of the Rich
mond Wing on the subject
ssTHE COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS OF THE GENERAL
AssEMsLy.-Evcry sincere friend of the Union, we
doubt not, will be heartily reoiccd that the posi-
ton of Virginia, in regard to the peace measures
of the late Congress, and to the meditated seces-
sion Of South Carolina, has ut last been defined by
her repr eseptatives She stands by the Compro-
mise. and respectfully, but firmly and decidedly,
avows her opposition to the course indicated by
that State Of withdrawal from the Union. The
action of the Legislature, do not hesitate TO be-
lieve, reflects the sentiment of an overwhelming
majority of the people of Virginia, and we trust it
will have the blessed effect of inducing sister
State, now medttating resort to harsh measures of
resistance. to ponder well upon her position, and
to retrsce her steps before it shall be rrctreyably
too late. iI- 4i&y
"Wc nre not much disposed to be querulous. af-
tor the unanimity with which the Compromise re-
solutions were adopted; but justice requires to
say, that the merit Of placing Virginia in her pro-
per position belongs essentially to the Wing party
of the Legislature. In saying this, we do not
mean to question the devotion of the great body Of
the Democratic party OF this State to the Union.
We believe, most implicitly, that the masses of both
the great political parties in Virginia are firmly;
devotedly attached to the Union-it is tho pervad-
ing sentiment of all quarters sections, and parties
in the State. ss
"But this are warranted in asserting, that
the Wing Representatives of the State have mani
tested much warmer sentiment of attachment to
the Union, and have been far more instrumental
in placing Virginia in her present Union attitude.
than their colleagues of the opposite party. All
the facts Of the justify in this conclusion.
ain the first place, when the election of United
States Senator came on, the dominant party Of
the Legislature at elected Mr.. Mason,
who had distinguished his Senatorial course by
the bitterest opposition to all the measures Of
the Compromise, and whose sympathies were
well known to run in disunion direction.
To have reelected Mr.. Mason was. in our judg-
ment moet unfortunate; it was well calculated
to stimulate dissatisfaction and discomfort in the
South; and, by dcluding South Carolina into the
hope Of cooperation from Virginia, to urge hor
onward to the catastrophe of secession Il seemed
to u.s. in sort, unsettling Of the position Of
Virginia.
"In the next place, notwithstanding tho attitude
in which South Carolina stood, threatening seces-
sion, and seemingly hoping for laid and comfort
from Virginia, the Democracy of the Legislature
took no step to indicate to South Carolina the posi-
ton of her moro peaceful sister, and to place the
latter Alright before the South and the country. No
warning was givcn-no admonition rendered.
'sMorc than this when Mr.. Boiling, Wing
member, dissatisfied with the tardiness in the pre-
misses Of his Democratic colleagues, thought fit to
offer a series Of resolutions affirming acquiescencc
in the Compromise. they were indefinitely post
poncd by the unanimous vote of the Democratic
members; whereas. had they been referred TO a
committee, (Which was proposcd,) they might
have been reformed as 70 suit all tastes and
opinions, and to place Virginia Alright in her rela-
tions to South Carolina and the Union.
again: another Wing member. DIR. Dorman,
after offered similar resolutions, which were
well drawn. temperate, and dignifed; and these,
too, were laid upon the table, without even an
order for printing. There they slept until the
subject was again brought TO the notice of the
House by the resolutions Of Mr.. Scott and there
the subject, are satisfied, would have continued
to slumbcr. had il not been walked up by the reso.
lutions last referred TO.
at was said, il 10 true, that the Democracy in
tended to bring up the subject, and designed doing
so when the resolutions Of South Carolina should
come under confederation.
"But when, It may be inquired. was the commu-
nication from South Carolina TO come up' Who
was TO bring It up' Why was iis consideration
postponed to within few days Of the close Of the
session, when many Of the members had left for
their homer Surely all the circumstances seem
TO indicate that it not the purpose Of the dorn-
nant party Of the Legislature to take any action