The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-05-16
PROTEST CT E1RGINIA.

Mr.. Russell. Mr.. President and gentle
men of the Convention, we are in the midst
of crisis. We may be on the eve of rev
olution. If this Convention should prove a
failure, there is reason to fear that it will
prove also the last National Convention of any
party that will be assembled in the United
States. The events which have occurred to-
day have given rise to an emergency for which
the delegation from Virginia have not%been
prepared by any instructions any expression
OF sentiment or any forethought of the State
which sent them to this Convention. We are
abliged, therefore, to act upon our judgment,
and at the present moment our Judgment is
scarcely steady. In the midst of our contiic-
ting emotions when we see our follow citizens
of the South moving from this body by way
Of protests against that which they regard as
a violation of their rights and of our rights,
every feeling ofour hearts goes with them
(Cheers) Hitherto the career of Virginia has
been side BY side with all her sister States,
North, South, East and West, and beneath
banner on which every State has its star, as
members Of one common and united constel-
lation but it must be known to this assembly
that if indeed the hour shall ever come when
the North and South must separate, the de-
stiny Of Virginia is with the South. cloud
eheers.l She will then have to say to the South
where thou goest will 60 thy people shall
be my people, and thy God shall be my God"
(Great cheering)
But sir, she will pause before she deter
mines that that event is inevitable. Virginia
stands in the midst of her sister States, in
garments red with the blood of her children
slain in the first outbreak of the 'frrepressible
conflict" But, sir, not when her children
fell at midnight beneath the weapon of the
assassin, was her heart penetrated with so pro-
found grief as that which will wiring it when
she is obliged to choose between a separate
destiny with the entire Republic loud
cheers. Sir, we came here to defend the rights
of the South, and to maintain the integrity of
the Union by action within the Democratic
party. 70 that extent we had the light ofex-
ample, of precept, of instruction from our con-
stituents. Virginia has been called the moth
er Of Presidents. She is also proved to be
the mother Of Democracy She first unfurled
the banner of our party, and from that hour
until the present she has stood by it in good
or evil fortune without ever faltering, and
with all the affection of mother. Her public
archives are full of the trophies won by the
Democratic party. She would hesitate-un-
doubtedly hesitate to leave that party which
she has regarded hitherto as the only means
Of reconciling at once the defence Of the rights
Of the States with the Union of the States
But whether she regards the solemn events
of this day as sufficient to justify her in TAX
ing the irreyocable step is question which
am not authorized, in behalf of delegates, here
to answer and in order that we may have
time to deliberate-in order that we may, if
we think proper, make an effort to restore har-
mony here, and, at all events to Judge what is
betting, in the name and in the behalf of our
own noble old Commonwealth, we desire that
the Convention shall adjourn and give US an
opportunity Of consultation.