Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-19
REMARKS OF MIR. ROBERTSON
OF RICHMOND CITY.
ON THE CONVENTION
BILL.
In The HOUSE OF DELEGATES, JAN 10.

:
what the circumstances Of that day demand should b
: DONE" offer my own course as an Illustration, SIR
and showing how heartily and fully endorse and &C
upon it. Some months ago. saw 20 occasion Tor con
vention. Weeks passed and events came with them
that led me to doubt Then came events that decided
me in favor of submitting it to the people TO say
they would have one Time advanced, and events still
E througed on us, and became satisfied it should b
called by the Legislature perhaps in the Spring Event
OF still more and startling magnitude burs
upon u.s. and there is day within the reach
my voice. decided in the opinion that one shollC
be called, aud called the earliest moment consistent
with aiiordng an opportunity to the people to selec
wisely those whom they would choose TO represent
them.
The occasion that demands tits ordinary one, and
confess 10 looking forward it with dread and anxi
Great have heretofore been and as always must
be- the questions before those bodles-those to come
before the proposed convention OF ranscendant mag
ntude. They no less Than suce as involve the whole
rameworkhe existence indeed. OF our present govern
men-the whole fabric of civil and religious Liberties
raise dby fathers and under which we have lived 70
long power aud in glory, and have enjoyed so many
blessings-all the guards that our existing institutions
have so long thrown around our lives, liberties
ard our properties-the safety Of our families-the
honor of the State-he fate of our poserity-dre all
to be committedo the hazards of restoration and re-
par-or demolition and reconstruction l look 10 IL
with apprehensou-and only what consider an incon-
trolable necessity could command my support OF it,
But the necessity exists.
long course of aggressions and injuries which rise,
as aude TO them, at once spontaneous TO our thoughts
aud fill hearts with hot and burning resentm,nt,
and the dreary recital of which will not fatigue you
with uperadded and still reiterated taunts and all oats
yet ntoerable than njuries-the recent adj
vancement power of who seems TO have contem-
plated the OF il extinguish value that belongs
to greater than yet threatened with desfuc-
ton by political power-and involving the utte- suover-
sion and disorder circumstances of horror that can
be exaggerated of whole social structure These
causes cooperating unfortunately at such moment with
the natural excitement of the great and largely predomi-
mating party at the South smarng under defeat and DIS
placement from pOweT-have driven our people almost
to madness. The excitement is widespread, deep aud
pervading 1t comes to in tones that cannot be mis-
understood demanding redress for the past and security
for the characterization 1t is one OF those great
upheavas OF public passion that have no right TO con-
troll if would and which should only aggravate, in
this moment of its fury, by srrestng, il we could
Independently OF these causes Others Of dicr-
nature momenty occurring, and of the most start
ling interest.
As we look on high on the gorgeous and beautiful con-
seation Of stars which has so long filed the world with
its increasing brightness and glory one by one dsap-
pears behind the dark aud omnous cloud of Secession
to shine may be, pechancc with brighter yet GER
tany with different lustre IN new and unried combi-
nations, on other feds-bus never, perhaps, 10 minge
again their light with that of the starry sisterhood in
the same position Of the Heavens forever.
States that side by side in erred phalanx fought the
most glorious battles of freedom the world has wit
ne sod States that side by SIDE unured the banners OF
civil aud religious liberty and bore it, aoft and triuu-
phant against the power OF the mightiest OF the nations
Of the earth and planted the topmo OF their
Constitutions both State aud Federal States that side
by SIDE and with divided glory, have carried all the
arts of peace and of war; of military and naval of civil
ana political science, to the utmost perfection
These States 30 long united in power aud spendor, are
tumbng now into disunion and dsntegration and are
falling out OF line and tearing down in dshonor, that
proud flag on which the eyes of world, and the hopes
OF man had come TO be fxed-and under which the
humbest citizen of the weakest of the States to the Ut
termot limits of the civilized world stood protected from
outrage injury, as though surrounded by an army
with banners"
Look who may with pleasure exutation the spec
tacle of this mighty empire mutilted and broken in
pieces at least, contemplate the picture with unuttera
BILE grief and pain-aLd come what PhGuix there may,
out Of its ashes OF future happiness and prosperity for
Nirgina-and strive, as | will, il the necessity for II
arise as the hulnbest and no, least loyal of her sons
with heart with head with hand with all the powers and
faculties God has given me- retrieve and renovate her
gory-I should never expect live however long might,
ouve the regret if that Unhappy fate be in reserve Tor
me-, that had ceased to be citizen of the United
States.
But did not refer to this express regrets or give
indulg nc TO my feelings.
referred to it to say that the state OF things TO
which have alluded has changed essentially the gov
eminent of Virginia. and th rights OF her citizens, m
important parcua ari demands OF itseli that the
people should take counsel in Convention on the new re-
latons it gives ris. to.
Our citizens have no long the rights they have here
tolorc enjoyed in the seeding States and the United
States OF to-day is no longer the United States OF yes
terday-and we are involved though passive, in evo
luton.
Surely could be strmger for the Intervention
of the people
We, of this House and tie other, find ourselves al
the helm in the driving and binding storm that envelop,
u.s. We were not selected for it. We were placed here
in calm fair weather pilot, and with limited powers
The people have done honT in assigning US to duty
even in the calm. But they lave shown think, plain
y enough that they desire tOchoose the men they wish
should grappe with the perilstha beset them, and wltl
larger powers to confront hem. 1t is natural they
should desire it-and il is forus least Of ALL think, tc
= thwart them.
For il apparent that these great questions that have
arsen and the still greater that cast their shadows
feartuy before, must be dealt WITH and ii not by Con
e venton, then by us.
Events Of stariog magnitude are almost hourly oc
curing Already we have to lok to our deences-tt
the arming of czens-o making hostile preparation
against possible civil cOnhict-andnone Of these are thu
a proper functions of an ordinary legislature
}, Within month-a week-tolay, it might be-w'
might find ourselves under the stem necessities of opel
Is war We are the only sentnc ready to guard arc
guide on the happening of such emergency Wear 81
=, perforce. We would not shrink I'M sure but we SHOULD
l. not cove the duty or invite the responsibility We no
only would not shrink from it, but will say that this lie
gslature gave many proofs durngts last session, in m
opinion that showed it able to del wisely and pariot
l. cally with many great interests Of be Commonwealth
do not believe have forfeited far, the public conf
dence or would prove wholly unworthy OF it, But how
ever might acquit ourselves the necessity arose.
II think we will agree would be nehr becoming nor agree
abe if it could be avoided under so heavy re
sponsiblity For myself. personaf feel no hesitation
declaring in the most solemn maner that if were free Il
u, do as pleased and could permit rysef to be governed
"a nv public course by personal onsiderations woul
desire Convention to be couened, that might b
" freed from the burden that eveInow Expresses me.
is stagger under its weight and eesick at heart as con
ia template my feeble power and then turn to tn
" interests that may devolve in part upon me,
the happening Of fear, by no means impossible cor
" tingencies.
, If could with honor Law it Own tomorrow woul
gladly do it. and though for conderations that have re
gard for the convenience and nrests of the people,
ne shall for the latest day of lection shall yet ha
with unaoyed satisfaction the owning OF that day. an
shall feel if great weight wee lifted Off me persona
y, which shall witness the assembling OF the Convention
o. Thus SIR am not only earnely in favor OF calling
Convention but most desirons fc its earliest assembling
e. compatbly with the peoples convenience
H. But this convenience demandsal the time the bill,
reported allows them and far NEE but for this exgency
and hence am wholly opposed any change that sha
u shorten it. Gentlemen should reminder the gravity OF h
p duty to be discharged the disposed residences and tn
remoteness OF our mountain popiaon and the difcule
OF communication at this seasorof the year with the
voting places Surely il is desirable they shout
I'd have tme on an issue so mountous TO select wsei
their agents. fear the all is this is hardly POI
sibe. To my constituents, of curse it is OF little cor
" sequence, but l represent their wishes in e,
tending their fellow citizens ks favoraby situated
a. ha HniU