Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-25
uDIYISION OF THE STATE.n

From the report in the Times extract sketch Of that
portion Of the debate Friday, bearing this important
point The people Of Virginia will be pleased to see tina,
there the Convention too much patriotism and devotion
10 the and honor Of Virginia one and ndvsible
10 allow so great calamity, as the disruption OF the Old
Commonwealth:
Mr. LYONS had no apprehension that the West would be
for separa ton if the mixed basis should be adopted
Mr. MARTIN of Marshall asked what were Mr. Lyons own
sentiments the issue of white basis division.
Mr. LYONS had answered that question again and again.
but would il more He would not propose to
divide the State But Western gentlemen should to
him presenting the white bass hand and the rod Of
disunon the other he would the rod and give them
the basis he believed TO be right Applause
Mr. MARTiS of NJ inquired which did Mr. L. himself pre-
fer, division the white basis.
Dir LYONS To what end Is that question put
Mr. MARTIN. The sentlemans sentiments have been diff
ferently understood ard wish be correctly Informed
M Lyons then said that if the West should prevail in the
Convention and put the white basis into the constitution
and the people should adopt such ne might
remonstrate and resist it by every lawful means but he
would no, propose division the State for that
whether he preferred division TO the white basis
Mr. MARTIN said he had always deprecated division at
home. But he could not tell the circumstances in which ne
might be placed, or what his might be.
Mr. LYONS l will state the circumstances. Suppose
mixed basis and ory OF the people for adopting it,
will you then be for dividing the State7
Mr. MARrIs Under these circumstances the people hnv-
ing voted adopt the mixed basis would be for acqul-
Mr. LyoNs thanked the gentleman for his candid avowal
and claimed thanks Of the Convention for having now
asceained the fact that neither the Fast nor the West hao
any thought Of dividing and that the threats they had heard
meant nothing Great laughter and applause.
Mr. GALLEv.Woud the gentleman agree to settlement
of this by submitting the whole question, what basis
they would have to the people?
Mr.. Lyons could not consider gentlemen serious in
king that proposon-nor could they think poorly OF The
;ntepence of Eastern members suppose they
willing to adopt that game Of "heads win and tails you lose
They were here the mixed basis in mode
which their constituents hold 10 be just and right they
not at liberty surrender themselves more they
at liberty 10 put It in the power of others TO reject IT,
his friend Mr. Hunter would say TO do for them rcarosy
what they could not do for themselves He would rather
vote for the white basis ut once
Mr. MAxrIN of NJ desired give his friend Of the East
the of his being for the unity and durability Of Nr
GINA If this convention should adopt Constitution with
the mixed basis md the people should adopt IT, by major
y he would acquesce and forever after hold his
peace.
P. 8. Late last evening received the following note
from Mr. Martin. We regre, that he was msrepresented-
for happy in the belief that the West we'll tho
East had determined place the unity and ndvisiby of
the State, above every other consideration.
CONVENTION HAIL, April "a, 1851.
To the Editors Of the Enquirer:
Dear Srs; In your paper Of this morning your editorial
remarks In relation 10 the proceedings in Convention
yesterday satisfy me- that you led into similar error
in relation TO response Mr. Lyons enquiry that the
Times OF this morning has fallen into and which have
taken the trouble to correct.
You will do the favor copy my card from the Times
Of Tomorrow explanation OF my position and reply to
Mr.. Lyons interrogatory. Very respectfully, &C.
J. T. MARTIN.