Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-26

asH, throw my WORK aside, ~
And through the lattice, while the moon
Shines mistily and wide,
On the dim upland paths peer
In vain his form to catch
I startle with delight, and hear
His hand upon the latchi
Yes, am his in storm and shine
For me he tolls all day;
And his true heart know is mine,
Both near me and away.
And when he leaves our garden gate
At morn, his steps watch
Then patiently till eve await
His hand upon the latch BBRx1.
State Convention.
The following is continuation of the pro-
ceediDgs of Saturday, the 18th inst.
Mr.. Carlile, of Harrison, said that gentlemen
referred to the oppression of the Federal Gov
ernment. he would be glad if any one, more
intelligent than himself, would specify any law
| OF the Federal Government which operated
oppressively upon Virginia. Referring to the
term 'ssubrnissionist," Mr.. O. said that if it
meant one who submitted to the Constitution
and Laws of the country, he gloried in the til
| tie but If it meant one who would submit to
wrongs, he was no ''Submissionist." ALI the
acts Of Congress, respecting slavery, were passed
by the votes Of Southern men, and if there is a.
| ny oppression in them, those who passed them
are responsible.
Mr.. Morris, of Hanover, asked if the Evil.
mot proviso" was Southern measure.
Mr.. Cariie replied that it was passed by a
Democratic Congress, and signed by Southern
President, (Polk.)
After few more remarks Mr.. O. offered the
following resolution, which was referred to the
Committee on Federal Relations After the
| resolution was read, Mr.. @. proposed to with :
draw it, as he only desired that it should be
copied by the reporters, but Mr. Montague in
sisted that it should take the course Of similar
resolutions, and Mr.. Carlile assented.
| Resot0ed, That since the decision of the Su-
prelne Court of the United States, in the case OF
Chisholm VS.. the State of Georgia, and the a.
doption of the eleventh amendment to the Con-
stltution we are at loss to understand how the
impression that the Federal Government pos
-essed the power to coerce State could have
obtained credence.
The resolution offerd by Mr.. Morton was also
reterred to tile same committee
Mr.. Leake, OF GoOchland offered the following
resolution, which was referred to the same CON-
mittee:
Res0lUed, As the opinion of this Convention OF
the people Of Virginia that if the Federal Gov
ernnent at Washington should undertake forci-
tly to retake the forts within any of the States
that have dissolved their connection with the
Federal Unon, Virginia will regard such act as
INVASION OF the rights of sovereign States; and
should said authorities undertake to collect the
duties on foreign importat0ns introduced or a.
bout to be introduced into any such States Vir-
ginia will regard any such acts as coercion, and
that her faith has been pledged and is hereby a.
gain pledged as far as it can be, to resist, with
all the means in her power, all such acts of in-
vason aud coercion.
Mr.. Richardson, of Hanover, offered the fol-
lowing resolutions, which were referred to the
same committee:
The people OF the sovereign State of Virginia,
IN general Convention assembled, do declare
aud publish the following resolutions:
Fsrst. That the compact by which the seve-
raj sovereignties composing the United States OF
North America were united in Oontederacy
mas been repeatedly violated by individuals and
States composing the Northern part of the same
| Second That the said compact having been
thus repodiated by parties to the same, to the
injury and oppression of other parties thereto,
is not binding upon the latter, and exists not OF
right, but by sutferance.
| 1hard. That not only are the sovereign
States OF this Union the rightful judges of the
circumstances, under which their honor and
safety require THEFT withdrawal therefrom. but
those who have peaceably so withdrawn, were
justified in So doing by inyasions of their just
rights.
Fourth. That we will resist the coercion OF
the States which have SO withdrawn, because
| there is no righttul power to use force against
them under present circumstances, because their
interest is common with ours, and because i'm
parlnent of their safety is dangerous to our own.
Fsfth That in view OF the grievances which
the South has sustained at the halidsa of the
North, and OF the election of Chief Magistrate
avOwedly hostile to tie institutions of the torn
er it is the duty of the latter 1T once to concede
such constitutional guarantees to the South as
will prevent the recurrence of the wrongs al
| ready iuHicted on US, aud secure our foil aud e.
quail rights in the Confederacy.
Sarth. That the failure to provide against
| these wrongs and to secure these rights, is an
evidence Ot either indifference or hostility to-
wards Us, which are alike fatal to our peace and
| safety.
| SeUenh. That in view of these plain truths
| We demand that security for our rights and hon
or be accorded to as in the Confederacy as speed
lly as the necessary constitutional proceedings
can be carried our, and in default thereof will
dissolve our connection with those who tirs,
| wantonly wrong US, and then obstinately per-
severe in the injury.
| Eighth. That arguing from the persistent de-
nial OF our just demands the danger OF coufci
of arms, decree that the State forth with be put
in such condition of defence as will ensure heI
safety, dignity and honor.
Mr. Flournoy, of Halifax, offered the follow
ing resolutions, which were referred to the
same Committee:
| Resolued, By this Convention, that whilst
Virginia has a high appreciation Of the blessings
inteLded to be secured by the Constitution o.
the Union, and would do much and forbeaI
much to perpetuate them, yet it feels itseI
bound to declare that an identity of interest.
and OF wrongs with the seeded States of the
South, would, in case of an attempted coercion
by the Federal Government, demand and re-
ceiye the interpo ,ition of all ber military
strength in resisting such aggression.
| ResolUed, That Virginia hopes and believes
that by prudent measures of conciliation on the
Lpart of the United States Government n its in
tercourse with the seeded States, and by
just appreciation OF the magnitude of our pres
ent perls, that some measures Of compromise
between the North and South may be adopted
| which will restore peace, friendship, and unioI
to every section of our now distracted country.
1t is most fearful fact to think of. that in ev.
cry heart there is some secret spring that would
be weak at the touch of temptation, and that is
liable to be assailed. Fearful and yet salutary
to think of; for the thought may serveto keep
nofn hrao t.