Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

The Florida authorities having interfered with
the delivery of the mails to tho United States
officers at Pensacola, the Postmaster-G General has
promptly abolished the Post-ofice at that point,
and given notice that all letters directed to Pen
sacola are to be returned to the dead-letter Of
fee.
We learn from the Montgomery (Ala.) papers,
that the minority of the committee which re-
ported the secession ordinance made counter
report, which was rejected by vote of 46 to
81, and that the vote on the question of submit
ting the action of the Convention to vote OF
the people stood AZ to 53. The Secession ordi-
nance eventually passed by vote of 81 to 80.
Remarks of Bolivar Christian, Esq.
To indicate the course of our representatives
in the Legislature, we give the following from
the brief sketch of the discussion published in
the Richmond papers, pending the bill for a
Convention, and the resolution on secession, &c
The House having ordered a committee to re-
port bill for convention, Mr.. Christian soon
after moved reconsideration, saying:
''That the resolution, as passed, appeared to
commit this House unanimously, and without
ony discussion, to proposition for Conven-
tioH a proposition the most important, perhaps
which it was possible for this House to adopt
under existing circumstances, involving recon-
struction of the very fundamental organic law of
the State, and determining the question, per-
haps, of the very existence OF National Govern
mig fboo .of
the Legislature to call Convention without
first submitting the question to the people; ma
ny others, among them the Governor of the
Commonwealth in his Message just read, doubt
the expediency of a Convention now, and be-
lieve the ends proposed can be better attained
otherwise; certainly it is a question which ought
to be considered deliberately and in full House
representing all of Virginia. The resolution
passed this morning in face of the fact that ma
ny members had not yet arrived, that the roll
had not even been called to ascertain if there
was a quorum present, as the Constitution re-
quires to transact any business. 1t was offered
admidst the confusion incident to the exciting
question concerning the duty of the State to re-
sist coercion, and as the large committee ap-
pointed to consider it was retiring. The atten-
tiOn of the House was not called to it on the
general supposition that it was mere resolution
not absolutely determining the question in this
summary manner He was of the opinion that
it out of place to act precipitatey or hastily
in the matter, and he would be acting uDjustly
to his constituency to proceed in such precipi-
fancy. He remarked that it was not always the
case that those who evinced the greatest haste
were foremost IN the fight. [Applause in the
galleries.
The committee having been announced, or
Mr.. Kemper's motion that they have leave te
sit during the session of the House, Mr.. Chris
tian opposed the motion, saying:
He could see no reason why the deliberations
of the committee should not be conducted in the
usual manner. The withdrawal of fifteen mem
bers from the House might retard the progress
OF business. Members had duties to their con-
stituents which required their presence here
while the House was in session. This hot haste
for Convention bill could not really advance
the bill itself, and was only calculated for a
sensation" effect. The report could be made
as well this evening as now.
Pending the resolutions asking of the Presi-
dent of the United States On the one hand, and
the Governor of South Carolina on the other, tc
pause in their hostile preparations for awhile, tC
see if war might not yet be avoided, Mr.. Chris
tian said:
Gentlemen object to these resolutions, thai
they are Inconsistent with the resolutions adopt.
cd on Monday last, and indicate disposition
to back down from the stand then taken. Some
even say that the resolutions OF Monday are wal
measures. For one he would not submit to any
such construction of these resolutions, but had
the right to construe them for himself now, as
he did then as measure for peace; that this
was the construction then claimed for them, and
without which they would never have received
the vote they did. But, however, they must be
construed, no imputation of inconsistency could
be charged on any one who votes for the pend
ing resolutions these can on no possible inter.
probation be taken as backing down from any
position taken by the former, but simply ac-
knoweldgng that to all appearances the oppos-
ing forces of the two sections are now approach
ing each other for deadly strife-they, for the
sake of humanity and mercy, and In view of the
awful horrors of civil war, raise the flag of truce
for awhile to see that, if possible, the first blow
of the uplifted hand my rot yet be stayed before
it is too late forever. In the heat of the bloody
battle of Talavera, the opposing armies paused
for awhile, in mere humanity, from the conflict
itself, and the famished soldiers on either side
drank together out of each others cups out OF
the little stream that marked the narrow shore
between them, but only to resume the battle af-
forwards as bravely as ever. Surely the oppos
Ing forces of the North and South may yet, for
the sake of hitherto common country and a
yet common humanity, pause as long tor a last
final effort for peace and be the only more brave
withal Forbearance is often the surest sign Of
true bravery. The generous impulses of the
gentlemen objecting, will, needed by themselves
insure their hearty assent to these resolutions
Some object that Virginia should thus seem tc
become mediator: Virginia of all others, the
proud mother of States-should be the very one
to allay, possible, the fast approaching inferno
cine strife between her children. Let her, in the
magnanmity, she has historic right to assert
interfere thus far, even while the opposing for
ces stand confronted with drawn swords and
fixed bayonets, to stay, if possible, the first
bloody blow. Failing in that tEen at least she
is clear of blood -gultiness, and with this poud
consciousness can all the more bravely leave the
issue to the God of battles. Then every son O
Virginia, united in sentiment as in action, will
be found at his post, and ready to die at his
post, for the unsulled glory of Virginia.
The resolutions were carried in the afhrma-
tive by large majority.