Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-08
Speech oil Geo. w. EanGolpFs, ESQ,
IN THE VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION
o,p,-J,, J...E

~kSSSSs VA we've W. AsNNNOipss, Esq. .,
IN THE VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION,
Saturday, Mcrch Esd, 1851.
The Convention having resolved itself into
Comnittee Of the Whse, the report of the
Committee on Federal Relations was taken up,
when Mr.. RANDOLPH, of Richmond city, OBJ.
tanned the floor. and said:
Mr.: Chairman, it is generally known that
obtained the floor yesterday with the design OF
asking the permission OF the Convention to
transfer it to my friend from Albemarlc (Mr.
HoLcoMBE,) should the impaired condition of my
voice hinder INC from proceeding with my re-
marks. Unfortunately for the Convention
and for the audience assembled to hear that
eloquent gentleman the indsposition which
has detained him from his seat for several
dayT still continues, and, somewhat unexpcct-
edly, and i'll condition unfit to do my subject
justice, am compelled to offer myself as q
most unworthy substitute for my eloouen,
friend ThIs situated, | shall proceed with
the discussion, and should prove physically
unable to 20 on, shall ask the permission of
the Convention TO continue my remarks on
some other occasion, or 10 print what may
leave unsa;d
Inc questions arising from the various re-.
ports oil the Committee on Federal Relations
present themselves in two aspects-one rolit-
CAL the other commercial; one having reference
to proposed changes Of our organic law, the
other looking to the industrial interests of the
Commonwealth. Representing, in part, the
chief manufacturing and commercial city Of
the State, shall contine myself in the main
to the commercial! questions, which, possessing
great interest for Ing constituents, have not yet
received much consideration in the debates of
this body do not feel at liberty, however,
altogether to decline the discussion of the po.
liticsl questions, and | shall, therefore proceed
to consider such Of them as more Immediately
press upon our notice.
The most prominent plan Of Constitutional
amendment, is that enanating from the
Peace Conference, endorsed by their recom-
mendation, srli eXpounded most ably and elab.
orstely by !he distinguished gentleman from
Kanawha, (Mr. SCNNEEs.) heard min with
great attention, without bias and with that
pleasure whicb I always feel in witnessing ex-
hibitions OF high intellectual power; but after
giving the subject careful consideration, / And
myself entirely unable to concur in his conclu.
s0nS.
Before examining this plsn in detail, let US
consider for moment what should be the in
dispensable requisites Of a satisfactory adjust
ment; TO do which VIC must hrst enquire what
the dangers are against which 1t Is intended to
protect us.
On the 9th Of November last tine Government
passed. in strict accordance with Constitution
nj forms, into the bands OF sectional party,
organized upon principles hostile to our insti
,utions social, political and industrial In the
opinions Of some, the observance Of Constitu-
tional forms in that election robs it Of all
wrong In my judgment, it is that very ob-
servance Of form which renders the election so
dangerous to Our liberties. Had revolution
been attempted re should have known how to
deal with it. We should have opposed with
the strong arm OF force the seizure OF the gov
ernment. But the fact that our enemies found
it unnecessary to violate the forms Of the Con-
sttu:ion proves the insufhciency OF that inst1 u
ment for our protection. This is acknowledged
on all hands. No one vino he's risen in debate
on this floor denies the necessity Of amending
the Constitution.
The Government than, If may so express it,
ia cons,itutionally revolutionized, and requires
a counter revolution to restore it. We know
that while the South and its friends we're in
possession OF the Executive, the Judiciary and
one branch Of the Legislature, we were assailed
in the territories we were robbed OF our slaves,
our sol was invaded, our citizens murdered. our
right of transit with slaves from one Southern
State to another was obstructed, outright pro-
; perty in slaves was denied our slaves them
selves were incted to rebellion we we're thre t.
ened with Abolition in oil places Of exclusive
) Federal Jurisdiction, and our character was
. Systematically traducet! through all Christen-
dom. These things, and many more, were et-
fectcd by our enemies out Of power, and while
. fifteen slave States were in the Union. Now
1 that our adversaries possess the Government
in all its branches-for the Judiciary will soon
be theirs-and that our number is reduced to
eight what may We not expect? 1t is easy to
iuagine points Of assault, yet uninterrupted.
Our commerce may be left unprotected; may
even be. actively warred upon through the
! treaty making power and the diplomatic es
tablshmen.; We may be excluded from ali
z share in the administration OF the government
as we have been in the choice o! persons to con
. duct i; VIC way be reduced from the positio!
! Of equals to one Of :nier!o.ity; from sovereign
~ to virtual vassalage, and yet the forms o.
: the Constitution may continue to be observed
But we should be most un~ise to suppose
that we can foreSee ell dangers and protect oil
possible points Of assault. The ingenuity o
our enemy is infinite, and We know not when,
where, or from what quarter, we may be next
assaulted. We have made immense sacrll,ces tc
procure recognition Of our rights, and those
sacrifices mus, not be thrown away. In the
struggle, industry has been paralyzed IN all lts
branches. the commercial community has wei
7 nigh experienced the ssoDies OF dissolution
r millions hare been lost already, and more vel
will be sunk. We must end the contest now
and forever Wemust have not only ilnuiCnl
~ from attack, but rest from the ever wearing
rest secure against hostile legislation, hostil.
Q diplomacy, the power of corruption the powe
d Of a,talio-. and from unfrendly power ii
= cvery shape and form. And to do this We mus
= have power and not promises, an elhc!en
:. shsre in The Government and not mere pape
guarantees.
ia an utter failure. It does not profess to CIV
us power, save in one particular, and there IN
d Grant is insufficient an,. delusive. II does pro
g fess 20 give US guarantees, but its profession
here. as shall attempt to show, are not iui
f3lled. Let us examine the sections ol Ia
plan successvely, avoiding, as far as may OF
wha.Aas been already said about them by q
venerable gentleman from Charles City, tM'
TYLER ,LJuless am much mistaken We shas! m
that under pretence OF protecting slavery am
N ouietiup the anti-slayery agitation, 1t lncorPe
n rates into the Constitutonthe dogmas OF the hf
II publican party, and stores up material lor ever
>, lasting controversy.
The FIRST section undertakes to settle the IA.
of the Territories. We are told that inns
y unimportant, inasmuch as the Territories ar
q Of small value It is not tho value OF the Lei
ritories which gives magnitude to the terrltorli
question, but the fact that it involves an issu
as to the character Of the institution OF SLAYER:
IF there we're but one square mile OF territory
> the question would be one Of the flTst magn
Is tule. Our right to carry slaves INTO t!,e lei
ID ritories is resisted on the ground tnas ssa'er
does not involve right OF property in slaves
mi rnlht1Al