Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-13

| Again, sir, why docs no make the response
TO be definite, when he leaves the time indcE-
nltef What time does he provide in which
this response is to be made? Why, Mt thecon-
v%onience Of those States. Suppose they find
1t convenient in one, two or three years, the time
proposed by Seward, or in five or ten years.
Again, | make this point not only as to time,
but the gentleman says, 'if they should me-
elect OF fail to answer" Neglect for how
long3 Fail for how longr The gentleman is
very particular about the response being "de-
finite" Would it not be well at the same time
to be particular also rs to The period Of re.
Spouse, or in which they may neglect or full to
respondP
Again, sir, if the gentleman wants to avoid
secession or the acknowledgment that at some
time or another We shall come to the point that
VIC shall he compelled in necessity and in hon.
or to sccede, | submit to the gentleman that
his proposition would grant secession, even
before this llth resolution, ms it stands,
would.
The President announced that the speakers
time had expired.
Mr.. W~lcEnAM-In response to the gentle.
man from Princess Anne, | will say, that he has
totally mistaken the point Of my declaration
aud Of mY amendment, if he supposcs there is
more arrogance in the declaration | propose in
my amendment than there is in the declara
ton that Virginia will resume her sovereignty
and reserved rights. | merely express the
opinion that il these amendments to the Con-
~stitution arc not acceded to the result would
be, and should be, 4 total disruption Of the
Union. | stand here, sir, maintaining the po-
Sitlcn, rs | did before my constituency in the
canvass, and US ] shall do till the end of time,
that unless these difficulties which now exist
arc satisfactorily adjusted by amendments TO
the Constitution, | ior one, will 60 for breaking
up this government, not By secession but by
revolution ; taking all the responsibility which
shall attach to my position in that regard
Therefore wish here to express the opinion
which have always expressed, that it is ne
cessary that we should have these amendments
to the constitution to preserve this Union, and
that it is my belief it will be broken, ard en-
tirely broken, unless VIC obtain these amend
lnents. So far as the expression OF such an
opinion is arrogance, there is arrogance in this
amendment | propose, and not unless the cX-
preston nf such an opinion is arrogance.
In rcgart! to the Use Of the word "detinitc,"
[ meaa, by the use Of tina! word, to Indicate I'm.
lii.oASINCplS Nh1I j, VI OIs IslI5L oC SiClIlf
satisfied that il is The intention Of the Northern
States pcrsiStently to refuse this adjustment
before | give my consent to break IN this
Union. do not desire to ootaiu the opinion
OF the politicians of the North. | am satisfied
that If we can reach the minds Of tie people
they will eject their politicians and vii! give US
these amendments and this adj rstn,crt to
which we ure entitled.
MIR NISp lin mis- cant l-Ilnu, eyi1l Co, H.,
ii?
Mr.. WrcEuAu.--1 propose 70 do it bT The
popular vote, or b7 conventions similar to our
States, if they do not intend to grant this I'D
juslment, will say that they 10 not, in their
response u Us by the popular vote, or by com
v%cn,ions similar to this. If the people cannot
| defeat the p2liticians, then Inc Union will have
to 90; but | believe if this question is ever
brought fairly before them, they will defeat
thc politicians.
In regard TO the time which they shall have
for their response, it will he for this Conven-
ton and the people Of Virginia To decide.
The very next of the series OF resolutions now
under consideration, provides that there shall
be ! reasonable tune. ] take it for granted that
that resolution will be adopted in connection
VIA L!liN, Il TIC SOlulllsLIS SIlDulu dCCCGl lily
! amendment; aud | therefore reply to the gen.
tleman from Princess Anne, that I propose IN
wait = reasonable time. am not prepared to
| specify tie precise time which will be required.
think There is Il difference Of opinion among
| those who act with the gentleman himself, as
to the time We should wait. | think they are
cot prepared 10 tx upon the tine he has men.
toned in bis proposition, and if they them-
selves cannot agree as to the time required
for the settlement Of these matters, it is not
for them 10 complain that we have not fixed
an exact period.
As l SAID before, my chief object in Offering
this amendment is, that We should not make
IN attrInatory answer to all these abstract prC.
positions By the Northern people, the cond-
lion on which we propose to separate from
| them, and, also, that before we fix any ultima.
| tun, we should have a conHnls"li"r and some
concert OF action with our sister slave States
upon the border. That. sir, is a plan rhich
has commended itself favorably to my humble
Judgment and | trust it is q plan that shall
commend itself favorably to the Judgment Of
this Convention, for an satisfied that under
it. We may have some hope OF the preservation
| and restoration Of this Union.
Mr.. MoHTAGcE-Will it be in order to amend
the amendment of the gentleman FROM lleI:-
| rico. ii it shall be adopted.
The ~CMAIhMAS-lt would not then be in
order.
Mr.. MONTAGUE propose, then, at this time
to amend the gentleman's amendment by stri-
king out tue words popular vote" and insert.
ing their proper authorities"
understand the amendment Of the gentle.
man provides that the people Of the Northern
States shall respond to Virginia either by po-
pular vote or by Conventions constituted as
ours is. I propose to strike out popular vote
and to require that they shall respond by
their proper authorities or by Conventions
similar TO this.
understand that il it is desirable to re:
responses from the free States 10 the applica-
ton of Virginia. these responses should come
III an authoritative form, and they can only
come in that form when they come through
tie proper State authorities Or through soye-
reign Conventions. i mere respons: Of the
pc0pio in a popular mass meeting, 0r for them
to 20 to the polls without the authority Of las,
would not be worth anything more than the
paper on which il is written. Ii would be
nothing more than the re. enactmont OF the
Uor7 scenes Of Rhode Island, and | trust that
this Convention will not put Virginia in such
1 position.
Mr.. CONRAD, of Frederick.-I think the gcIl-
tleman from Middlesex, mistakes the object OF
that phrase which is in The original as we'll as
in the amendment. The object, in which |
supposed we sll agreed, was to have a response
from the people rs contra distinguished from
the politicians. And the proposition there is
that they shall respond either b. popular vote
or by Conventions, similar to our own. Nov.
sir, that does not lInpoit, as the gentleman
seems to suppose, that this popular vote is not
to come through the regular constituted au-
t~noritieS Of the State.
Mr.. MoHTAGuE-Then Why not put it in tnc
! resolutions
Mr. CoxKAD-I have no objection, if the
/ gentleman will change his amendment, leaving
-, liz. ,I:nrd: ..hx nn1uIIaE ynic ~ and addlnn