Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-19
The Meeting Of the Convention.

one hundred and twenty-odd members answer
ing to their names on the call of the roll, and
about dozen more arrived during the sitting
On motion of Robert E. Scott, ESQ.,, of Fauquier,
James H. Cox, ESQ.,, of Chesterfield, was ap-
pointed temporary Chairman, who acknowl-
edged the honor conferred on him in few APP
propriate and patriotic remarks After which
two gentlemen were put in nomination for the
office of permanent President of the Convention,
and only two; and these were John Janney, Esq,
of Loudoun, and Valentine W. Southall, Esq, OF
Albemarle-the former on motion of the Hon.
George W. Summers, of Kanawha, and the lat
ter on motion of the Hon. Thos. s. Flournoy,
of Halifax. The roll being called MIR. Janney
was elected permanent President of the Oonven-
ton by ten majority and on taking the Chair,
addressed the Convention in short speech
characterized by spirit Of lofty fidelity to the
Commonwealth, and patriotic devotion to the
Union. 1t was indeed admirable in tone and
sentiment, and was evidently received with
great favor by the Convention.
Mr.. Janney addressed the Convention as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the Convention
tender you my sincere and cordial thanks,
for the honor you have conferred upon me, by
calling me to preside over the deliberations OF
the most important Convention that has assem-
sembled in this State since the year l776.
/ am without experience in the performance
of the duties to which you have assigned. me-
with but little knowledge OF parliamentary law
and the rules which are to govern our proceed
ings, and have nothing to promise you but f.
commit, but these will be excused by your kind
ness, and promptly corrected by your wisdom.
Gentlemen, it is now almost seventy-three
years since Convention of the people of Vir-
ginia was assembled in this Hall to ratify the
Constitution OF the United States, one OF the
Chief objects of which was to consolidate, not
the Government, but the Union Of the States
Causes which have passed, and are daily passing,
into history, which will set its seal upon them,
but which l do not mean to review, have brought
the Constitution and the Union into imminent
peril, and Virginia has come to the rescue. 1t
is what the whole country expected of her,
Her pride as we'll as her patriotism-her inter
terest as well as her honor, called upon her with
an emphasis which she could not disregard, to
save the monuments of her own glory. Her
political Mecca of all future ages, presided over
the body which framed the Constitution; and
another of her honored sons, whose brow was
adorned with a civic wreath which will never
fade and who now reposes in Orange county,
was its principal architect, and one OF its ablest
expoanders-and, in the administration of the
government, five of her citizens have been elect
! ed to the chief magistracy OF the Republic. 1t
cannot be that Government thus founded and
administered can fail, without the hazard of
bringing reproach, either upon the wisdom OF
our fathers or upon the intelligence, patriotism
and virtue of their descendants.
| 1t is not my purpose to indicate the course
which this body will probably pursue, or the
measures it may be proper to adopt. The opin-
ions of to-day may all be changed Tomorrow.
Events ore thronging upon US, and we must deal
with them as they present themselves.
! Gentlemen, there is a flag which tor nearly a
century has been borne in triumph through the
battle and breeze, and which now floats over this
Capitol, on which there is star representing this
Commonwealth, and my earnest prayer, in which
Il know every member OF this body will cordially
unite is that il may remain there forever, pro-
Yided always that its lnstre is qntarnished. We
demand for our own citizens, perfect equality OF
light with those of the empire States of New
York. Pennsylvania and Ohio, but we ask for
nothing that we will not cheerfully concede to
those of Delaware and Rhode Island.
. The amount of responsibility which rests upon
this body cannot be exaggerated. When my
constituents asked me ii would consent to serve
them here if elected, | answered in the aflrma-
tive, but did so with fear and trembling. The
people of Virginia have, it is true, reserved to
themselves, in certain contingency, the right
| to review our action. but still the measures
which We adopt may be fraughl with good or
evil to the whole country.
/ Is it too much to hope that we and others
who are engaged in the work of peace and cor
Citation, may 50 solve the problems which now
perplex US, as to win back our sisters of the
South. who, for what they deem sufficient cause,
have wandered from theil old orbits9 May we
not expect that our old sister, Massachusetts,
will retrace her stepsa Will she nOI follow the
noble example of Rhode Island, the little Stale
with heart large enough for whole continent
Will she not, when she remembers who 1t was
that first drew his sword from the scebbard on
her own soil at Cambridge, and never finally re
turned it, until her liberty and independence
were achieved, and whence he came, repeal her
obnoxious laws, which many of her own wisest
and best citizens regard as a stain upon her leg
islative records9
Gentlemen, this is no party Convention. Ii
is our duty on occasion like this to elevate
ourselves into an atmosphere, in which party
passion and prejudice cannot exist-to conduct
all our deliberations with calmnesssand wisdom,
and to maintain, with inhexiDle frmness, what
ever position we may find it necessary to assume
The next business in order being the election
of Secretary, on the fifth ballot Mr.. John L. Eu-
bank, of Richmond, was elected.
Mr.. Scott, of Fauquier, stated that accommo-
dations had been provided at Mechanics Hall
for the accommodation OF the Convention. He
therefore moved that when the Convention ad-
journ, it adjourn to meet at that place. Agreed
to.
Mr.. Morton moved thst the President invite
the Clergy OF this city to open the session of the
Convention, each day with prayer. Agreed to.
Mr.. Price offered the following resolution
Resolved, That no member shall be regarded
as entitled to any seat which he is not inmedi-
ately occupying.
On motion Of Mr.. Montague, the resolution
was laid upon the table.
On motion of Mr.. Clemens, the rules and reg
ulations of the House of Delegates were adopted
until otherwise ordered.
Thereupon, on motion of Mr.. Scott, of Eau
quier, the Convention adjourned until to-mor-
row at ID o'clock.
On Thursday, the second day, the Convention
met at II O'Clock, pursuant to adjournment, in
the Hall of the Mechanics Institute.
The Convention then proceeded to the election
of Sergeant alarms, which resulted in the cleo
ton OF Mr.. N. A. Thompson, of Hanover
The election OF First Doorkeeper was then en-
FOR ,pb; oh tod ,,, III