The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-19
From the Richmond Dispatch, april 1871
YIRGINIA STATE RIGHTS EONVENTION

VIRGINIA STATE RIGHTS CONpENTlON.
This body, called together for the purpose of
considering the most effective method of protecting
the rights of Virginia and the South from the
saults OF Northern mercenarieS and fanatics, as
sembled in Metropolitan Hall yesterday, in re-
spouse to call made upon them by circular to
rally to the aid and support of their State and
ton. About 400 men, from the ardent youth just
entering upon his majority, to the venerable sire
whose head was touched with the SHOWS of many
winters, met at the appointed hour of II O'Clock A.
NJ. AS persons were admitted excepting those
having tickets to the estate Rights Convention -
there -ery few present who were not mem
bers. There was earnestness in the expression
of every countenance, and light in each eye,
which indicated that they had met together for
ordinary purpose. No badinage prevaed-no
empty compliments were passed. but more ear
nest pressure of the hand, and a deeper and more
ardent tone of simple recognition gave an almost
painful impression that the present was solemn
occasion, and the impending danger such only
brave, stern, selfsacrificing men could encounter
and avert.
The meeting was called to order by the veneer
able Col Randolph, of Albemare who addressed
the Convention briefly in regard to the purpose for
which such gathering had been first conceived,
and for which they were then assembled per-
feet organization was the first and necessary pre-
liminary to effective and concerted action. He
would, therefore, put in nomination, for permanent
President of the Convention, Robert Chalmers,
Esq, of Halifax county. No other nomination be-
ing made, Mr.. Chalmers elected by acclama-
ton On taking the chair, the President returned
his thanks for what he said, to him a most
unexpected honor. To be called to pre-. ide over a
meeting of such men were before him-high-
| toned, courageous, and intelligent Virginia gen
| tlemen-was indeed distinction of which any
man might well be proud. He need not address
them to stimulate them to action, or to impress
| them with the magnitude of the occasion. They
were familiar with the events that had taken place,
and were transpirng every day; events which had
startled the world, and excited the deep indigna-
ton of freedom-oving people.
The Convention was then thoroughly organized
by the election of Vice Presidents-amoDg whom
were Hon. James A. Seldom, Willoughby New tom
Esq, and other well known and highly distin-
guished gentlemen; Col S BaSsett French as Sec
rotary, and Nat. Tyler. Esq, of the Enquirer, as
Assistant Secretary. Various committees
then appointed, and several resolutions of highly
important character were adopted. Every propo-
sltion, when put to the vote, adopted without
dissenting voice, the greatest harmony and una
nimity prevailing. AS the session a secret
one, and were only admitted by the courtesy
of one of the Marshals, we are not permitted to
divulge the character OF the business transacted
beyond the mere formal organization.
The Convention then ad journed till to-day at 10
o'clock.
FACTS ABOUT SEEING st. DoMrNGo.-The Havana
correspondent of the New Orleans Crescent has the
following, dated Havana, April /:
From all that can learn upon the subject, it ap-
pears a sort of revolution to have been gotten
up in st. Domingo last month; the aid of Spain
with the troops of Spain, of whose sailing you are
already informed, were to be hand (by acct
dent OF course), and upon the call Spain for aid
being made, the troops were to be landed, the
Spanish flag hoisted, and st. Domingo formally
taken possession of by the Spanish crown.
This is the programme as have heard it from
the ladies in Spanish families, whose heads are in
position to know the truth of all such matters
Several coasting steamers, among them the Car
denas, and hear the Ocean Bird, have been taken
up by the Government of this Island to convey
provisions and munitions of war to ST. Domingo.
II it be true the people of st. Domingo really
desired to again place themselves under the protec-
ton of Spain, the question naturally aises: What
necessity can there have been for sending large
I. naval and military force to that country I? The
doing so has rather the appearance Of intention
to subdue than take possession at the wish of the
inhabitants of the country. SO large force could
not be deemed requisite to contend against the
''niggers" of Hayti, they to object to having
Spanish neighbors!
Will not the men of Louisiana and the other Con-
federate States be on the qut viuc in relation to
this matter ?-because if it really prove to be the
fact that Spain is bent upon the reconguest of some
portion OF her former territory in this hemisphere,
it will be well to checkmate her at the very out
set; for her ambition WILL after conquering st.
Domingo, lead her to Mexico. | hear it whispered
in certain well-inorrned circles, that it is more
than probable in the event of St. Domingo being
again placed under the Span sh flag, we shall have
General Jose de la Concha here again to rule over
that he will come here with the title of
d" Fieeroy," to govern Cuba, Porto Rico, and ST.
Domingo.