Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-06-27

of the Northern people, oar government hoius
under its jurisdiction much of the enemies
property. It'll hut reason and common sense
that it should be so retained. AS soon shouio
~, +,rp loose the prisoners Of war whom We
TAKE. that they may hurry back to s"el tle
ranks Of the hostile army, while we leave the
,,n.;v.s from on, OWN ranks TO DC treated ms
our curluy may liss. as We should allow Tue
Northcr, people to withhold our property and
vet gather home their means that are among
us, to aid them in rqrippiEg armies to come
against US.
! uenc, we confess our amazetnent at = meas
uro which has found warm advocates in cur
State Convention. The bonds Of Virginia,
which arc held in the North, pay an annual
~in.eres. Of about $500, 900. OF this, one half falls
due tn. last Of this month. Will it be believed,
tina: in this time Of war-war BY the North
upon us-many members Of the State Con7en-
ton are in favor Of paying this money, instead
OF Disappointing the payment? They may talk
as they will about law and duty. Wecarc not
to 80 into nice researches among authorities,
Common sense, nola weak prudery, is the foun'
dation of justice, and there is No mistake about
its teachings mere.
Shall we furnish Our enemies with the very
sinews Of operations against ourselvesf Shall
we tell the citizens whom we do not protect
from pillage, that neither will We retain the
property Of their pillagers, and by the holding
OF which We might exact protection or Sc
cure indemnity Shall we say that Washing
teh did wrong when he saved our captive SOL
Oilers from outrage by threats q retalisson2 p
Are we wiser and better than ne. TINT we
should rcpudiate and stigmatizo his example
Shall our Convention sit in eternal session, and
after oil its Legitimate work IS done. Tor IL, better
purpose than to secure privilege; (" ;he roo'
bers and pa:derers CT oI. people. instead Of
providing protection and obtaining redress 10y
their victims? II this must be 11ac, at least
let il not Se done IN tie nani- q public viz
Tue anu S!Gfa.cu SciI.iuief" ." "
wonderful and fatal weakness. Call II mawk.
~isaaess. Call it "~rurveydrop department.
Call it banding a c!rb, or dispensing the cour-
tcsies Of a drawing.rooIr, 10 tue robbsr who
threatens the lives Of your family, OF bears
away the bread Of Jour children, whom 1t IS
Jour duty to protect; but let no actor dream
that there is aught Of merit in the deed, or
an ything 20 shield it ircm the Eetri5u'i9e con-
demnation Of the co,nmon sense Of the people,
aad from the reprobation Of the world. 1t will
be historical monument showing how easy
it is to mistake n weakness for 8 shining virtue,
and how men may forget those whom they arc
set to protect, and shcv tenderness only 10
their foes.
P. s.-Wc ars srasifcd hat the Convention,
in its yesterdays session, by a majority vote,
has relieved tho immediate apprehensions IN.
der which the above was written, aud which
were caused by the strong adverse indications
of tho previous day. We congratulate the
Cuavrat;ou on lie conclusion it has reached,
to suspend tie payment Of interest on the State
bonds held by our enemies. But inasmuch as
| the decision, which ought 10 have been unani.
nous, was only reached by s majority, and as
tie principle involved will doubtless come up
unde: various fo:u!s during the war, re think
it irnpo:tan: tina: the public attention should
be directed TO it, in order that the public judg'
mont upon i; may be settled, and upon correct
ideas. The ACT OF the Confederate Congress, Of
date, MAJ alst, prohibiting, during the war,
the payment By oar citizens, Of money to the
| citizens or corporations Of the encuy States,
and authorizing tie depcsit Of any amount so
due, in the treasury OF the Confederate States,
receiving therefor Al Understanding Certif'
tho ,rrr nrni,aIian the
wise and proper course; and ne can only regret
that a single rdember Of our State Convention
should have countenauced contrary views.