Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-13
STATE CONVENTION.

STATE CONVENTION.
MONDAY, Mayl2.
Mr.. WATTS OF N. offered resolution that the Con.
vention resolve itself into Committee OF the whole
and that there be no debate on the pending PROPOSE
ton.
Mr. MARTIN of Henry hoped the Convention would
not at this time 10 go into committee. 1t was his OBJ
ect to submit a proposition which would enable them
to see whether they could to some settlement
situations OF Saturday He been panied to learn that
Of the question now before them
Mr.. WATTS OF N. said any proposition of that kind
could be submitted in committee of the whole.
Mr.. MARTIN thought differently. He apprsed gen.
tlemen ofthe fact that he not party to the con
they resulted in no settlement. He yesterd sy took
occasion to consult with Eastern gentlemen, and found
that ofthem concurred with him in thinking 8
compromise might yet be effected. He read a re.olu
ton viii oh he meant TO offer they did not go into
committee-Tha! committee of six members, three
be taken from each sde be chosen by ballot to take
into consideration and report to the Convention fa
and proper adjustment Of the principle of representa-
ton.
Mr.. WATTS Of N. finally Withdrew his resolution
COMPROMISE COMMITTEE.
Mr.. MARTIN then submitted his resolution after mo.
dylng it, at the suggestion of Mr.. SHEFFEY SO as to
read as follows:
Resolved, That committee of eight members, four
OF whom shall be taken from the East side of the Blue
Ridge, and four of whom shall be taken from the West
be chosen by ballot, TO take into consideration and re.
port to the Convention fair and proper adjustment OF
the principle OF representation the two houses of the
General Assembly, and that the report of said commit
tee be committed to the committee OF the whole with
out debate.
Mr.. SUMMERS said that during the last few DAYS he
had been In common with many of his fellow members
suffering the most painful anxiety. Hit was unbecom.
ing Roman citizen to despair Of the Republic. it was
still less fitting in Virginan. The ground before us
was dark and unpromising. But since the gentleman
from Henry had made this motion he would vote for il.
ne was determined to leave no means unried to bring
about some just fair and honorable adjustment of this
great and important question. He should pass by no
overture, that looked to that result and he stood
pared to give the gentleman from Henry the opportun
tY he desired. lie trusted every member of this body
East and West would vote for the resolution
Mr. M. R. II. GARRETT moved to amend the resolu.
ton by adding, land that the said committee be direct
ed to report all their proceedings to the Convention and
Mr. WISE hoped this clause would not be adopted as
was one OF the hest ways 10 The world to prevent any
compromise. The agents of compromise ought to be
allowed unrammeed license to arrive at it as best thew
could
Mr.. M. R. II. GARRETT said no member was more
DESTROYS than himself to satisfactory adjustment of
TINS controversy But i was well known that joint
Eastern portion OF the body had shown themselves
ready to meet the West halfway. But the Western
portion had sent them resolution announcing upani.
mously, that no compromise would be accepted that did
not involve surrender on our part. In view of the
unconciliatory uncomprorpisng hostile spirit in which
these overtures were met, Mr.. G. said he could not
vote Tor this COMMITTEE and must wish, if tshould be
appointed, to know the character of its PROCEEDINGS
MrWIsn could not he DIR wen into cont est with Mr.
e. on this question He would not wranele about the
past Mr.. G.sremark ks showed that he was opposed to
adjustment and that the object OF his mo,ion WAS
TO prevent one.
Mr. GARNrTr disclamed any such purpose
Mr. WISE SAID when ne was younger man, he might
possibly have been ready to take extreme course but
not on this gu 'stion. There Were too many stakes
in this issue He said the Committee appointed bv each
OF the eaucuses was Committee appointed TO bring
forward the demands of each side. This Ccmmlt.ee
was designed to reconcile those demands. 1t was pro-
posed to have record kept and to mark the men who
dare to turn their thoughts peace To forbid peace
at a moment when a rupture war would nIaca at ha
Zard everything we cherish Take or two more steps
like that proposed by the young gentleman from Essex
and, speak OF no higher holier objects the none
tary affairs OF this Commonwealth would be crushed
the bonds OF the State would bring so cents in the
market. lie hoped Inc senior members would not fol-
low his young friend.
Mr., BEALE should vote against the resolution of Mr.
Martin, and in favour of the amendment of Mr.. Gar.
nett He fully appreciated the vast and awful respen
slbliy which rested upon this body Representative IF
the people OF Virginia On Saturday, he wouJd have
voted Tor this committee with pleasure but thew ali
knew what had since occurred. There was no mem
Der OF tins body more anxious than himself for settle
ment. But he did not believe that peace would he
secured 10 either section by any patched up comnro
mise. The East had already gone an far as if conId
90, ne was not prepared 10 go farther. If Com
promise was TO be made he wished to see every stem
by which it was reached and therefore approved the
amendment of Mr.. Garnett.
Mr. SNowDEN demanded the previous question. but
would lenew it. '' 'A""A'
Mr.. jANNEY desired 10 say that he had in view the
very o19ec' a7owed by the mover of this resolution viz
" h1P T peace or restore peace to this Common
meSnu' ne "onld not have advised that course but
as MI maftin slated that he had the concurrence of
many members OF this body, he Mr. j. should vote FIR
II. He appealed TO Mr.. Garne,t to Withdraw his
amendment The proceedings ofhe committee would
nersay oe known without record. lie did not
pafcpaie IN the feelings OF despair and despondency
expressed by the gentleman from Kanawha. No
iat.e, ~nst ms Convention might do, he did not be-
lieve .he hepoblIc would be in jeopardy lie was
prepared to submit 10 the will of the majority even
though the plan he desired 10 be adopted .honIJ he
lost by but single vote. He suggested That instead Of
eectlng The committee by ballot the chair be vacated
so that Eastern members might choose four members
OF the committee, and the West four
Mr.. WISE objected.
Mr. JANEEY. lfthat plan should not be adopted, he
should be tor charging the Presiding Officer With the
The PRESIDENT hoped not
WI lee SAID the last body in the world to devise
COMPROMISE was caucus like those of Saturday eve
ning. The maores of ultraists womb overcoroe tho
mnortes OF compromsers Under the i,nn,n,,,l. lao,
Of caucus all hope OF compromise would be DESTROYED
The bane OF this country 10 Federal and State matter.
was caucus. lie Appeared to every genll man to
stand 90 his own responsibility and not to uernt him,
sell 10 be bound by conscience on one hand and ons
uens on the other Adore all, let gentlemen not sub.
themselves TO the tender mercies oil that worse than
~ ~ IA iyrant caucus II genemen so vii
'og 10 DC bound BY majority here, why arc they SO
thmllg 70 De bound by majority of the people He
3lecte1 10 Inc appointment of the commtlee by The
'ia"' 0u' intended no disrespectto the President