Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-04
VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION.

SATURDAY, March 2d, 1861.
The Convention met at ~ O'Clock, pursuant to adjourn
| ment.
PRAYER by Rev. Dr. Burrows, of the Baptist Church.
| REPORTS OF THE DEBATES
Mr. WICKHAM offered the following resolution.
Resored That committee Of five be appointed by tae Pres
between the said the PrOptOr OF the Rchn
Enquirer in regard publication the debates OF the Con-
and papers and shall make report to this Convention
Nc FISHER moved that the resolution be laid on the
table, After some discussion the motion rel ected
| yeas 80, nays 62.
The motion was then adopted.
THE SUBJECT OF TAXATION.
Mr. TURNER offered the following resolutions, which,
| on his motion was laid upon the table,
Red Is expedient and that the 23d section Of
the 4 ar lie Of Constitution OF the State shall be modified
like other property shall be taxed without exemption
from taxation shah be had w1Out the vote Of majority the
members elected to each House Of the General Assembly
ope committee, TO consist Of thirteen members TO be
from the different sections state appointed
snail report Convention such amendments to the Constu
the State will elect the object indicated In the foregoing
resolution.
The resolutions submitted by Mr.. MOoRE, being the
unfinished business taken up, aud
Mr. GO0DE of Mecklenburg, being entitled to the
floor proceeded to address the Convention. He COM
menced by indicating the Breckinridge Democracy
and atributing the troubles of the country to the ag
gressons OF the anavery party at the North, which he
parcuariZed some length.
The success of that party will lead to the extinction
of African slavery if the South remains quiescent for
they propose to accomplish their object by trampng
a. they have already DONE the Constitution under their
feet and rejecting the decisions of the highest tribunal
known to the law For Virginia there is other path
of safety and honor than union with her sister ates oil
the South II she is seduced into any other alliance it
will be false unnatural and hollow one.
Mr. G. commented upon the result of the Peace Con-
ference and In the Of the people he represented
regulated the plan OF adjustment as another propo-
stion to deraud and cheat the South The people have
demanded defue adjustment aud will not be satisfied
with any plan which leaves the door open TO renewal
of the controversy He then proceeded TO anayze and
state his obecLon9 to the sid plan. The status" OF
persons in the territories south OF 80 deg 50 MIN. was
to be determined by the common law" The Black
Republicans tell hat the status il that OF freedom,
and the question ia be adudicated by Black Repub-
can judiciary The clause concerning the rendition OF
fugitive slaves provided that after we are robbed we are
TO paw for the loss OF our property.
The peops demanded the eternal separation OF these
States In seyeng their connection gith broken and
dshonored Confederacy, they ask to depart in peace,
sud should this not be accorded come, and be
would say let COME trusting to the God OF battles to
defend the right.
Mr. G. closed by saying that for the consequences the
South would not be responsible and in the language OF
Macbeth il might truly declare TO the North,
Thou canst say ala it, shake not
Thy CORY locks at me-
Mr. WILEY, of Monongalia then ntimated desire
10 speak, on hOuudl, anu uiON0u WIN
drew the motion, by REQUEST of
Mr. GOODE, of Bedford, who said that he felt bowed
down with humiliation At the reflection that before this
Convention should reassemble Black Republican Pres
ient would be nauguraed Before Virginia passed IN
der the yoke OF Abolition, and Bonded her knee to the
car of ba.k Repubcanism he desired 10 submit the FOL-
lowing preamble and resolutions that they might be
tered upon the journal and referred to the Committee on
Federal Re!atiOng!
V6ea Th people Of virginia. In Convention assembled, did
CutIon Of The United states on the June l7s that
the powers granted under the said Constitution might be resumed
sion; and the said have ben perverted to "a r
nry or OPPRESSION and whereas the said powers have been
and oppression OF the people OF virginia
Snu ors Win certain essential modiGcaiion
VII en- presented by the General Assembly Of this Common
80 Se,,bs-,tely elected bv our Northern coafederates-
P a. That every q iuy, Interest honor and
parom reGlres hat Ordnance should b. adopted b.
his ConYenl5n and people for rsa ailon by
which virginia shall resume powers deeg her TO The
Government aad declare her connection with that Gov
Mr. FISHER offered the following resolutions, which
were referred to the committee
|. Rssoloel That in the opinion of this Convention,
any attempt on the part Of the Federal Government to
collect revenue on goods in transit any port or ports
in anv Of the States which have withdrawn from the Con-
federacv Cf the United States of America or any attempt
to take the forts agsen,J dock yards munitions OF
war in possession OF any oil the said States that have
Withdrawn from the Federal Union would be the nitia
lion of civil var, and that this Commonwealth will not
be an indifferent spectator in such war, but will take
part in the same TO the full OF her military ability
in behalf Of her Southern saveholdng sisters that have
seeded from the Federal Union.
= Resoiyed, further IN the opinion Of this Con-
vsntion That it is the duty of the Federal Government
at the earliest practicable moment 10 enter into negotla
ton with the authorities of the Southern COnederacy for
the transfer OF Fort Sumter aud Fort Pckens said Con-
federacy and for an equitable division OF the public
property and public burdens of the United States Of
America at the time of the withdrawal of the States of
the said Southern Coniederacy from the Union between
them
On motion of Mr.. TREDWAY, the Convention ad-
ourned.