Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-24

of them. The letter to Mr.. Bolts was presented 10 me
by member in the midst of the business OF the House.
and was signed by after mere casual glance at It's
contents Without meaning to enter into any discussion
of the subject desire to state that did not nor DO
intend 10 endorse the opinions of Mr. Bolts as developed
in his reply except far they express devoted at
tachment to the Union TO preserve which no man can go
farther than myself. u. A. MI EMS
REMARKS OF VIM c. wICKHAM, OF HANOVER,
DELIVERED IN THE SENATE OF VIRGINIA, ON
THE 2lsr OF JANUARY, 1860, ON THE BILL
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PUR-
CHASE AND MANUFACTURE OF ARMS, &c.
Mr. Wickham having offered a substitute for the bill
said Mr. President unwilling to let this bill pass with
entering my protest against its passage IN the form
in which it comes before the Senate This bill if passed
will initiate order of things in Virginia, and should
be weighed with the utmost elaboration. The wisdom
of those members of this body who insisted OPP
porunity for the examination and discussion of this BILL
when the attempt made to prevent it, has been fully
shown by the result Sir, if it is passed as gentlemen
have intmated it shall be without,he crossing OF T. or
the dOtng of if other benefit should ensue from
the discussion, will be amply compensated for the
time consumed in it. by the declarations of attachment
to the Union that have fallen from the lips of Senator'S
without regard to party distinctions that divide them
which declarations gave the more pleasure from the
the fact that in common with the Senator from Abe
marie, had found that this regarded by some as
one OF the lead to disruption of this Union;
and the prompt dsavowa OF all such purpose by gentle
men the other side Of this question is too pleasing to
allow me for one instant call into question their sim
cerity even were inclined to question it.
have been ready at all times TO vote for the proper
arminc of the militia of the State. There many com
panes Of volunteers formed according to the provisions
OF the existing laws who entitled TO arms, suitable to
the different corps TO which they belong; It Is our duty
under the existing law, to afford these arms for them
Those with whom Ihaye been acting on this bill, have
shown their readiness to provide those arms by voting
for amendments approprang much larger sums for the
purchase OF than provided by this bill No one
can therefore charge u.s. justly, with being unwilling TO
place the STATE in proper attitude of defence.
But sir do not believe that this bill, asst stands, pre-
sents the best mode for obtaining for those troops
and if il did is details too defective to allow me to
support IT, Its friends have Fortunately Il will not say
obstnaely) refused to allow any amendments TO be en-
grated on it, which might render it less Objectionable
but have told TO correct its errors by supplemental
legislation Now this, sir, Is new doctrine bill Is
AT its stage for amendment the friends of it do not deny
that il has mpertcOus but indicate TO Us that they will
not allow the slightest change TO be made in it, and tell
must depend on Supplemental legislation to cure
those imperlectionS Would any of the learned at
torues who have taken that position, recommend sim
liar course to be pursued by Of their clients where
the hundredh part of such amount az appropriated
by this bill was involved?
Sir if this is Virginia craftsmanship of the present
day there is a vast degeneracy in this age!
The Senator from WestmOreand, Mr.. President, a
bad been brought TO bear, outside of this hail. up
on gentlemen ran up the banner of his party aud called
upon its members rally around to the support OF this
bin Happy am l. sir to find that the effort failed and
that there are many Democrats this floor, who think
with me that this is question for parties TO decide
For myself sir, | unhesating declare that know no
party in this natter that stand here, acting sworn
member of this body determined, far my abilities
will enable me- do this matter as in all others, what
deem best to promote the welfare of my constituents
my State and nv country.
The friends Of this bill, Mr. President have in effect
told us that shall have il its present form not at
all. That the State shall be placed in attitude of de-
fence by the they dictate remain without furth
er deieuces than she now possesses Very WE'LL have no
fears OF the issue for land speak here this
bill for myself only Of those on this floor am not to be
inundated by any such issue into the support Of this bill
as IL came from the House of Delegates; nor sir i there
any power on this earth that induce member
OF this body 20 support measure that deem wrong IN
principle; and upon the opposition TO this bill as 1t now
>taud- am ready to 20 before the country and have
the issue tried by them feeling confdlnt that those who
with desire TO provide all proper means for the de-
fence of the State but TO guard the country from the
dangers of so loosely prepared that the expend-
lures under may be indefinite, and enormous beyond
calcuaon and 10 avert from our State source OF cor
rption that will be fruitful Of evil consequences,
will be sustained by the sober judgment Of the people
Sir have no fears OF rebellion al home invasion from
abroad The abortiye attempt Of Brown, TO my mind is
conclusive evidence OF the fidelity of negroes and
his utter failure 10 obtain assistance from abroad TO
geher with the terrible warning given 70 all such mscre
ants bv Vguia iu the just, ,doGberO ,uiC atyu
OF her outraged laws is TO full assurance that such
attempts have had their BEGINNING and their ending
with those who have so rgheousy paid the penalty OF
their wicked bIrbaritics Again sir look with much
hope!umess to what gentlemen at as the passive
conservatism the North believe that it is
ing itself and that great reyulson in public sentiment
is going on which will result in the overwhelming defeat
aud disgrace of the unprucpled men, whose wicked
teachings have produced the unhappy excitement which
has brought noble country almost 10 the verge OF
destruction
Sir there is peaceful means OF defence that has al
most escaped notice in this debate-the protection OF
your manufactures and commerce here in Virginia. and
trust gentlemen the other side will be found acting
with me nm that matter
Build up your factories and create foreign commerce
and then indeed viii you be in attitude OF defence
should the direfu day which will witness the
severance of this fair country that have inherited from
our fathers.
But sir admit that arms are wanted they were want
cd before the lamentabic affair Harpcrs Fcrry-ol
even then under the reorganization OF the militia
largo amount OF military ardor had been infused into
orr people which has been since greatly increased, rev.
dgriug sill further supply Of arms necessary which
must be provided and the means for obtaining which
am ready TO aid u procuring by judc.ous means;
but / am not willing % 90 I5ckessy 20 work. and 90
oycrOck ourselves 90 have 20 become hawkers guns
20 rid ourselves of what may in the end provo nuisance
believe. however sir, chat the extent OF the demands
made bv the people the subject Of arms has been
greatly magafed on this floor | feel confident that
they desire sound discretion, 70 be had IN the matter
For INV own constituents sir know that they sent me
here because they thought capable OF managing their
aiFlirs and knew that would give my whole attention
20 what before this body and act according 10 the
honest dictates OF my judgment and were willing to trust
that judgments and shall use that discretion with which
they have entrusted Sir there Is however in parts
of the State AN unhealthy excitement which has been
increased really believe for improper purposes and
which 10 is the duty OF any one pretending statesman
ship to cudeavor alay not still further to excite
And now. Mr.. President will proceed to the means
which / would propose for providing arms.
On the authority Of Col Smith, OF the Military Insti-
tute state that the Commonwealth owns $4,000 flint
muskets of which az least 10000 are capable of being
pcrcussioned and riaed at a cost stated by the
ter-armorer Harpers Ferry, OF 81 30 EACH and 20
600 more can be converted into carbiues and pistols
a slightly increased cost This gives us sixty thousand
stand of arms ready for these alterations
are made The Secretary Of War Of the United States
has offered TO alter for the State of North Carolina
without charge he would do 1t for the terms,
aud certainly for the price have mentioned The
ter-armOrer AZ Harpers Ferry before the commit
tees on military affairs emphacay declared that this
musket altered nearly equal to the Minnie
ke and much better than Sharpe's rife. Col Robert
Lee whose name alone is enough attract attention TO
his statement said before the same committees, that,
when altered he regarded it next the United
States Tor Minnie) rife the best weapon that could be
put into the hands Of volunteers and that whilst he
would advise US in purchasing arms to buy the BEST yet
that he would certainly not throw away those We had,
but would alter them and on the score of economy
them far they would 60 in armng. And will here
call the attention Of the Senate the fact that Colonel
Lees comparison was with all arms and not as my
friend the Senator from Richmond yesterday suggested
/ l.. -. l. IT.. II