The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-01-20
VA, FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, /,

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had no power. We stand Ia the same position
now. We have lost our position In the Union.
Our rulers hate o.. They have no common
union with us They. have 0ovsrnment
carry on those who would be fathful to NJ.
have brought you down to the proposition
that our Government u In the hands Of those
who are inimical 70 us. and that We have no
enquiry comes mp, whether further guarantees
can be placed in the Constitution 70 make NJ
safe, or whether we shall set up better gov
sntees h .he onid hsys ood Sy but
they are no better than waste paper. The
stronger side In Congress Offers NO colNpro.
mise, and We must know that their constttu-
ents back them, and the Union meetings at the
North do not make them recede one step. And
then the Union meetings. Would any OF M
accept the platform Of the Boston meeting
Now, while honor these men for standing up
stand Tth ho declare
siavery a sin, and who declare that not one
loot more Of slave territory shall be admitted
into this Union.
The question is whether each State shall act
for itself, or shall there be consultation
Consultation can do no harm, and we are
willing to abide by It, We are calling for all
TO come forward to hear your views and give
ours. Gan you refuse US We have desisted
from secession because you requested it,
Seven years have passed. You waited because
you thought there would be peace. We fnd
that you have waited in vaia, Those who
favor remaining in the Union can s6ffnk their
propositions to a conference. In the first place,
we can arrange for bringing parties together
in the South and is not an undivided front
most desirable! The great question. howev-
er. is, shall there be amendmen ts to the Consti
tuition Ithas proved worthless to the South.
Can we not make another II you propose 3
convention of all the States to amend the
Constitution. would it not be better for the
South to confer as to what those amendments
shall be.
And II it comes to the last, is it not better
that the South shall Oe together Many
amendments have been proposed. One for two
Presidents Of the Confederacy another, and
probably more feasible one, is to have two
chambers Of the Senate-a Northern and
Southern chamber-and when sectional ques-
tions come up no action can be had unless the
two concur. 1t would give a check upon the
Senate. The question of division of terrific
ry could be a subject of discussion in the
| conference, and SO, too, might the means
obnoxious Fugitive Slave laws be consider
| ed The commercial independence of the
| South could be dsliberated on.
In the great crisis of 1857, the whole cause was
| the reduction of one- third in the products OF
| the South. And why should we not be com :
mercially independent! Why not transact our
own trade What does Virginia gain with
non intercourse resolutions If the ports OF
| Newbern and Beaufort, and others in the
| South be left open! We wish to unite We
! wish to bring ourselves closer, and to let the
| South move together, whether in or out Of the
Union. We freely declare that we believe
measures in behalf Of the Union are unavail-
| ing, but we are willing to go with our breth-
| rem Of the South. (Applause.)
The last view Of this question shall take
| is that bearing on our common defence. We
do not consider it just, that you, here on the
| frontier, should bear the war for all youl
| brethren. Nothing would please our young
| and old men better than to take part in your
battles. (Applause.) Measures agreed to in
q common conference for the common benefit
| would be agreeable to ali. In the Revolution
! gether, each State reserving its power, ant
only acting when its judgment dictated i
| should act. Can we not do this much 3
| Some one State might leave the Union
and will we not be obliged to follow
| And will it not he better before being driven
| to action by accident, to govern our move
| ments by mindl Let those who are disposed Il
60 fast drop their pace and 60 slow, but let al
60 together. Some may say you propose meet
ings. and revolutions follow. Tosuch woult
say, was that revolution wrong live are right
the conference will lead to right, and j
we are wrong, we can correct our error
! So say now let the conference consider II
and il it is right to leave tho Union, can leav
ing it be wrongl Can anything be accom-
plished without risk! If we risk to wiz
must we not risk to lose! If we are to strue
gle for our liberties, we must act for our
selves! If we ought to leave the Union, tn
conference will say SO. We must take Ou
chances, and if we intend to be free we mus
strike for it. And may the supreme God tbs
| has ruled over our destinieS for good, guid
| your cOunsels to such course as may be fC
the best advantage Of this old Commo wealth
and for the good of our common cOu ntry.