Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-29
VIRGINIA CONVENTIONS.

VIRGINIA CONVENTIONS.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE BREcKINRIDGE corvEFT1oN
Mr.. Broun, of Kanawha, on behalf of the Com
mittee on Resolutions presented the following re-
port: = :
:. /. Resolred, That the Democracy of Virginia, in
Convention assembled, cordially ratify the nomna-
tions of John c. Breckenridge and Joseph Lane, for
the Offices of President and Vice President of the
United States
2. Resolued, That we adopt and affirm the follow
ing resolutions.
First That the government of Territory, or
ganized by an act of Congress, is provisional and
temporary; and during its existence all citizens of
the United States have an equal right to settle with
their property in the Territory without their rights
either of person property being destroyed or i'm
paired by Congressional or Territorial legislation.
Second, That it is the duty of the Federal Gov
eminent. in all its departments, to protect when
necessary, the rights of persons and property in the
Territories and wherever its constitutional authori
ty extends.
Third That when the settlers in Territory hav-
ing an adequate population, form State Constitu-
tion the right of sovereignty commences, and, be-
ing consummated by admission into the Union, they
stand on an equal footing with the people of other
States and the State thus organized ought to be ad
mitted into the Federal Union whether its consti-
tuition prohibits or recognizes the institution of
slavery.
3. Resolred, That committee of five he appoint
ell by the President of the Convention to prepare
and publish an address to the people Of Virginia.
to accompany and enforce the foregoing resolution
4. Resolred That the President of this Conven-
ton be instructed to rsorganize the State Central
Committee, and to enlarge the same by the addition
of ten new members.
5. Resolred, That the Democratic Electoral ticket
of the State he modified and constructed so as to
conform to the nominations ratified by this Conven-
tion and that the delegates from the respective Elec
toral districts report to the Convention such changes
in the State Senatorial and County Electors as may
be necessary for that purpose.
6. Resolred That the Democracy Of each county
Of the State be requested to organize at the earliest
practicable moment by the appointment of commit
tees and the adoption of such other means as may
tend to secure the success Of the principles and the
consolidation of the Democratic party.
7. Resoloed. That the Hon. R. M. 7. Hunter,
Hon. James M. Mason, Hon. Henry A. WISE Hon.
William Smith and c. w. RUSSELL ESQ.,, be- and
they are hereby respectfully and earnestly request
ed to canvass the State at large in advocacy of the
election of John c. Breckenridge and Joseph Lane
Mr.. Wise, Of Richmond, enquired whether the
action of the Committee was intended to include
the recommendation Of substantial and distinct re-
fsa. on the part Of the Convention to endorse the
resolution of the National Convention recommend
ing the construction of internal improvements by
Congress.
Mr. Leake, of Albemarle explained that every
member of tue committee dsapproved the resolu-
tiUn of the National Convention; that they were
unwilling to recommend its endorsement by the
present Convention and, indeed, were well aware
that no such endorsement could be obtained. The
committee had preferred this method of silent re-
fusal to endorse the resolution-to that proposed
by Mr.. Fishers resolution of MISUNDERSTANDING
it as involving the assurance that the Virginia De-
mocracy although they cannot endorse the doctrine
are willing, in this time of common danger, and for
the sake of the rights Of the South to tolerate the
different opinion which prevails in other States.
Mr.. Seldom, of Stafford. explained that he had
voted for the adoption of this resolution in the Ma
tonal Convention for the purpose of conciliation
although he never could endorse the constitution
atty of the doctrine of internal improvements by
the General Government. As q member of the pres
ent committee on resolutions, Mr. Seldom had re-
Trained from recommending the endorsement of the
resolution in question for several reasons, among
which he mentioned the conviction that no such
endorsement could be obtained from the present
Convention.
but entirely approved the views of the gentleman
from Alhemarle; that far, at least the action
of this Convention was concerned, the explanation
of the gentleman from Stafford did not materially
differ from that of the gentleman from Albemarle.
All that Mr.. Wise desired was that it should be
made distinctly known to the world that the Vir-
ginia Democracy could not and would not endorse
the Objectionable resolution. This object was attain
ed satisfactorily by means of the action and ex-
PLANTATION Of the committee resolutions, as it
could have been obtained by the adoption of the
resolution offered yesterday by Mr.. Fisher Of North
ampton. Mr.. Wise was perfectly satisfied that the
matter should be disposed of in the form suggested
and explained by the committee.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE DOUGLAS CONVENTION.
Mr.. Dorman offered the following resolutions:
Resolred, That the Democracy of Virginia, in
State Convention assembled re-affrm their unater-
able purpose to maintain the PRINCIPLES, platform