Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-03-19
MISC A N Y

MIS- ELL A N Y.
Col. BaIdwin's Report on Federal Relations.
Mr. Baldwin presented the following substi-
tute for the report of the Committee on Federal
Relations:
The representatives of the people of Virginia,
in Convention assembled, are profoundly sensi-
BILE of the difficulty, delicacy and importance OF
the duty which, in obedience to the popular will,
they have assumed to perform.
They feel that the controversy which unfortu-
nately distracts and divides our country has
brought about condition Of public affairs for
which history has no parallel, anG the experience
of Governments no precedent.
They recognize the fact that the great ques
tions which press for consideration a-e of entire
novelty and of great Intrinsic difficulty y-and
that their proper solution will require, on the
part of our Governments, State and Federal, and
of our people, the exercise OF the Utmost pru
dence discretion, calmness and forbearance
They concur most earnestly in the opinion de-
clared by the General Assembly of Virginia, that
a permanent dissolution of the Union is inevi-
table, unless our unhappy controversies can be
adjusted in the spirit in which the Constitution
was originally formed; ard they feel that to
perfect any such adjustment it is of indispensable
necessity that during its progress the peace OF
the country shall be maintained, and that all
parties shall in good faith avoid giving just oc
casion for irritation, collision and bloodshed.
Therefore, be iJ resolved by the poeople OF
| Virginia, in Convention assembled
l. The conference Of States, which, upon the
invitation of Virginia, was recently held in the
city OF Washington, having recommended Ger
tain amendments to the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, as in the opinion OF the Conference,
containing a tair and satisfactory adjustment OF
existing difficulties, SO far as they can be reached
by changes in the organic law-this Convention
is of opinion that the said amendments, if con-
Cured in by the States hereinafter invited to
conference, and engratted upon the Constitution
people OF Virginia.
Q. The peculiar relations of the States of Del
aware, Mary land, Virginia, North Carolina, Ten
nessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas to each
other and to the other States make it proper, in
the judgment of this Convention, that the former
States should consult together for the maintain
ance of their rights in the Union, or, failing in
that, to concert such measures tor their final ac-
ton as the honor, the interests and the safety of
their people may demand-and for that purpose
the proper authorities of those States are request
ed to appoint Commissioners to meet Commits
sioners appoini ed by this Convention, on behalf
of the people of this State, at Frankfort, in the
State of Kentucky, on the last Monday in May
next.
8. The people of Virginia will not anticipate
any disposition on the part of the General Gov
ernment to engage in the hopeless effort to sub
ject the Governments and people of several
States, against their will, to Federal authority
ANY such attempt would inevitably result in
civil war--soon TO become sectional war against
the institutions and people of fifteen States OF
this Union. The people of Virginia cannot be
inattenti7e or Indifferent to any indications of
such a policy-but they trust that the Govern
ment will take the wiser course, and will, in ac
cordance with the spirit of institutions, with
draw all Irritating displays of force, and seek to
disarm freemen by removing the causes of their
just complaints.
4. The grievance for which several States have
undertaken to withdraw from the Union are
such as have affected Virginia to greater ex
tent than any one of them. For these grievances
she requires and expects to obtain full redress,
and she will be slow to believe that those States
will find it consistent with their inclinatons, or
their interests, to abandon permanently Union
in which they are offered terms of adjustment
which, in respect to common interests and COM
mon grievances, satisfy the judgment and honor
of Virginia.
9 In any event, as Virginia is endeavoriDg to
secure to them the opportunity to determine their
destiny in peace, she can look with no favor or
sympathy upon any conduct on their part tend
ing to precptate upon her people the horrors
of civil war.
B. 1t is the belief of this Convention that the
sectional controversies which divide the people
OF the United States, If not originated, have been
greatly aggravated by the management of
politicians, for the advancement OF personal par
ty schemes. They feel confident that if the peo-
pie, North and South can come to understand
each other, they will find means to compel fair
and amicable settlement of all matters in dis
pute. 1t is therefore recommended that the Con-
ference at Frankfort shall take into consideration
the propriety of direct appeal to the people of
the North in favor of justice, nnion and peace
g. The Federal authorities under the Consti-
tuition as it is, having disclaimed the power to
recognize the withdrawal of any State from the
Union, or to deal with the grave questions aris-
ing upon such withdrawal, the people of Vir-
ginia. without expressing any opinion upon the
question of power but in Difference to the opin-
ion of the federal authorities, hereby declare
their willingness to unite in conferring upon the
Government of the United States, the power, if
it shall become necessary, to recognize the sepa
rate independence of the seeding States, and to
make such treaties with them, and to pass such
laws as the separation may render proper.
Z. Ia order to await the action OF the Frank
fort Conference, this Convention will adjourn to
meet again on the - day of - 1851.
Mr.. Wickham presented the following substi-
tute for report of same Committee: