, 1861-02-06
THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Report md Resolutions thereon adoT-
ted by the Illinois LegfsIaturc.

Mr. Hurlbut, Of Boone, from the House
Committee on Federal Re1ations, made the
following report:
The Joint Committee on Federal Relations
Of the House and Senate, have had under con-
:i,.eration the resolutions Of the General As
tcllbly OF the State Of Virginia, requesting the
appointment OF Commissioners to meet in
Washington On the 4ih OF February, and in
struct me to report:
That the Committee recognized tie fact set
forth in said resolutions Of the present unhar-
~ and distracted feeling in portions Of tile
United States, tending toward the destruction
Of the Union and the overthrow Of the Gov
ernmcnt, aud deplora the existence Of such
feeling:
lUsr committee further agree with the
statement in said resolutions that the OILY
mode OF correcting such feeling and healing
such alienation consists in q common effort
among all who love the Union and stand By
the Constitution to cause TO be fulfilled every
where, impartially and exactly, the provisions
of that instrument, in the spirit in which it
was framed by the Fathers OF the Republic.
Your committee are further Of the opinion
that the Constitution, if it requires amend
melt, cnn only be attained in the mode therein
provided; and that the final and controlling
power over any proposed amendments resides
and should reside in the people Of the United
States
Your committee therefore do not consider
the proposed convention Of commissioners as
offerin any pow r or authority to suggest or
propose any amendments, but deem such con-
Tcntion crfra constitutional, and simply IN as
semblagc Of private persons who mag be pre-
sumed to represent in a greater or less degree
the esIt1meat Of the tcvcrI -6tnte$ who send
them. But although your committee hold as
clear constitutional law, the principles aforc-
said in reference to said proposed convention,
and expressly decline to consider the State OF
Illinois bound by any action If said body when
assembled; get they do realize the possibility
tint the said convention if animated by proper
spirit, may act as . means to diminish and do
away With the embittercd feelings which inau-
ence the popular mind and dispcI those prciu-
dices which interested and maltyolent persons
hare created and fustercd among the people Of
The different Statts in relation to zach other.
They are further Of the opinion that the ac-
ccptancc Of the invitation OF Virginia under
these circumstances will strengthen the hands
and nerve the hearts Of those who in the
Southern States still stand firm against the in
roads Of revolution and secession. And for
these reasons, briefly above state, they ask
leave in response to the Virginia resolutions,
to report The following to be adopted by this
Legislature:
WHEREAS, Resolutions Of the State Of Vir-
ginla have been communicated to the General
Assembly Of this State proposing the appoint
ment Of Commissioners, by the several States,
to meet in convention on the 18th day OF
February 4. D. 1861, at Washington:
Resolved b. the Senate, the Ho,sse Of Representa-
tires concuring thertin, That with the earnest
desire Tor the return OF harmony and kind re-
iatious among all our sister States. and out Of
respect to the Commonwealth Of Virginia, the
Governor Of this St1te be requested to appoint
five Commissioners on the part Of the State Of
Illinois, to confer and consult with the Com
miss;ontrs of other States, who shall meet at
Washington. proeiGel that said Commissioners
shall at I'LL times be subject to the control Of
the General Assembly Of the State Of Illinois.
RESOLVED, That the appointment Of Commits
sioners by the Statc OF Illinois, in response to
the Invitation of the State Of Virginia, is not
An expression Of opinion on The part Of this
State, that any amendment Of the Federal
Constitution Is requisite to secure to the peo-
pie Of the slnyeholding States adequnto guar
autccs for the security Of their rights, nor m
approval of the basis Of settlement Of our dif-
fcu1llcs proposed By the State Of Virginia,
but it is au expression Of our willingness to
unite with the State of Virginia. in an earnest
effort to adjust the present unhappy contro-
vcrsies in the spirit in which the Constitution
Eas originally framed, and consistently with
its principles.
Hesoissd, That while We are willing to ap-
point Commissioners to mccct in convention
with those of other Stntes for consultation up
On matters which ut present distract our har-
mony as nation; we also insist that the ap-
propriate and constitutional method OF cot
s:dering and acting upon the grievances CON-
planned Of by our sister States, would be By
the cali off Convention for the amendment Of
the Constitution In the manner contemplated
by the 5th article of that instrument; and if
the States dcc1ning themselves ag4rieved shall
request Congress to call such Convention,
the Legislature Of Illinois will and does concur
| in such call.