Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-02-17
Southern Conference.

Southern Conference.
The Joint Committee of the Virginia Leg
:;slature, on a Southern Conference, have
made majority and minority report. the
former of which presents tie most singular
we had almost said Observation-Disclosures
from its premises, that has ever before come
under our observation.
After good deal Of barney about lively
Qualification at the renewed manifestations of
sfraternal regard and affection, which have
heretofore, and they trtst will ever char;sic-
tsrize the relations of South Carolina and
Virginia, and about their high appreciation
of the ability, dignity and courtesy with
which Mr.. Methmingcr has discharged the
important duties of his mission-ah which,
we presume, South Carolina and Mr.. Mefi1
Munger will appreciate at about what it is
worth. The majority of the Comm ittee re-
solve, That the General Assembly of Vir-
ginia, recognizing in our present relations
with the non -slavehoiding States. an mn
perative necessity for decisive naeas'wes, does
not yet distrust the capacitylof the Southern
States, by vise and firm, exercise of their
reserved powers, to protect the rights and
liberties of the people, and to preserve the
Federal Union. For this purpose, ICE ear
aestly desire the concurrent action Of the
Southern States. But the General Assem-
bly, respectfully submit, for the considera-
ton of South Carolina, and all our sister
States of the South, that efficient co-opera-
+tion will be more safely obtained, by such
direct Legislative action of the several States
as may be necessary ard proper, than thro'
the agency of an assemblage, which can ex-
ercise no legitimate power, except to debate
and advise. They therefore conclude that
it is inexpedient to appoint deputies to The
Conference proposed by South Carolina =
Surely this absurd conclusion does not en-
body the sense and wisdom of the Legisla-
ture of Virginia. If that body recognizes
in our present relations with the non-siaTe-
holding States, an imperative necessity for
decisive measures-for a0,se and firm ex-
ercse of the reserved powers of the South
ern States-to protect the rights and liber-
ties of the people, and to preserve the Fed
era] Union-if it does earnestly desire tile
concurrent action OF the Southern States for
that purpose, and their efficient co-opera-
tion-surcly it is not prepared to stultify it.
self, or to cast stigma upon the wisdom
prudence or patriotism of the South, by de-
claring that, under such circumstances, it
is inexpedient for the Sovercignties of the
South to consult together-that it is not a
matter of the least Importance. when their
all is at stake, for them to take counsel to-
gether
IF the evils now threatening the South
can be averted by concerted Legislative ac
ton, as the majority of the Committee be-
lieve, then in order that this action shall
take place, the States should come together
and consult, else the Legislation must inev-
itably be diverse, and perhaps conflicting
If it is possible to arrest these evils by leg
islation, Gas we believe to be the case-at
least, for the present, it is most wise and
safe that such an experiment should be
made, J then it is of the last Importance that.
in Convention of all, this policy should
be agreed on, and that the sort of legisla-
tion to be adopted for the purpose. should
be discussed and settled in the Convention.
These propositions seem to be so self-evident
as that the failure to discern their truth,
would argue incapacity, and on the suppo-
sition that the majority of the Committee
we're gifted with ordinary perception, the
conclusion they arrive at can only be ac-
counted for on the supposition that, in their
opinion, the wisdom, prudence and patriot.
ism of the South are not to be trusted -
Does the Legislature Of Virginia concur with
their Committee in this conclusion We
trust not-we cannot believe it, The sem
timent smells too strongly Of the SANDER OF
Black Republicanism.