Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-15

aeIe, ltlat u We are over TO De lnQul&eo III
snything like an exact discussion the
merits OF the crisis in which We arg en-
gagged, 1t IS time for gentlemen who take
up the language Of lamcntaton for OPP
pressed people, gentlemen who speak of
the past oppression Of Virginia and the
South, to do something more than indulge
in generalaties upon the subject; and point
out by specification when, where, how,
and by whom the rights, interests and
honor Of the people Of the South have been
aSsailed so far as the General Government
is concerned.
Sir, it is true Of the slavery question, rs
Of every other question Of administration
in this government Of ours, whatever some
Of us at home here may think O. the policy
which has been adopted aud directed by
Virginia; yet il cannot be con.roycrtcd that
she has been upon all subjects OF admins
tration, including this great question Of
slavery, the directing spirit OF this govern
crnmcMt, from its foundation down 10 the
election Of Abraham Lincoln. Sir, We may
not have agreed with her in DILL have
not. confess, agreed with her in all the
policy that she has impressed upon the ma
ton but, IS z Nirginian. cannot help
feeling an honest pride when think li.at
such has been her influence i'll the councils
Of the nStior, such the respect and consid
Grafton which she has commanded among
her sister States and their people, that, even
when thought Sue was wrong, she has
commanded, and directed and shaped the
policy Of the nation. Sir, who has ever
had . bette: right than Virginia TO the ccl-
ebrated exclamation "Lstnt E'txf moii :"
| know, sir, that much is said Of late
about the degradation Of Virginia. All,
the degradation Of Virgins! Who calls
Virginia degraded? Who dares to call
Virginia degraded in any preserve? Alas!
alas it is reserved for her own sons. in
this her council Of State soycrcigntv.w where
all her mighty interests and her great Gcs-
tiny are at stake, il is reserved fur Der own
sons to point ut her tho finger Of scorn and
TO dare assert the degradation Of Virginia.
Is she degraded? Does this sentiment tlnd
an answering echo in the hearts OF Yirgi
mans here? Is Virginia degraded? No,
sir! no, sir | answer never! As one oil
her humblest sons fling back the lnputa-
tion with scorn, contempt and defiance =
Virginia degraded, Why, look to her
past. II has been pointed out 10 you in
words Of glowing clpfucnco ~ Ii" di~;in-
guished gentleman.
Mr.. HoLcoMsg.-If the gentleman refers
to Inc l would say that did no: speak Of
the degradation OF Virginia in the PAST.
Mr.. BALDwlS.-1 refer, sir, not especial
IL to you in that particular, but with c:hcrs
who have spoken.
Mr.. uoLcoMBe,--1 understand you 10
make declaration that some imputa'ion
has been made ofdcgradation upon Virginia,
which you repcl with scorn and contempt:
Mr.. B,LDwiS.--I certainly understood
YOU to say SO ? your remarks gave nc that
impression.
Mr. HoLcoMBs.-I say, sir, that if Tiroi-
MIA should persist in the policy proposed,
hearing in mind tho declarations upon
which base my remarks i'll reference 10
the sentiments and the feeling with which
[ would treat every gentleman.
Mr.. BALowlS.-I understand you now to
have spoken about the future.
Mr.. HoLcoMBE.-I have spoken Of it in
the future. Do you refer 20 those re-
marks?
Mr.. BALpwis.-No, sir. You have q
right, ofcoursc, to picture the future. i;ut
repel the imputation that she h'ts bee" &c
! graded I rcpel that u~crywherc. Gentle
men have a right, unqucstio"sbly TO argue
the effect Of any policy upon Virginia in
the future; no one can gainsay that; but the
complaint ain uttering, the protest nm
making, is against any inference that !lr-
ginia has been degraded by anything in
her history, that she is degraded b. any
thing in her present.
Mr.. uoLcoMEE.-The gentleman will al
low me another single remark ? He will
bear j., mind that deplore, without refer
ence to the past, the condition OF Virginia.
| I nF ronrnarE.
reference TO the possible future that
spoke; and all that then said with al con-
ceirablc emphasis, now renew.
Mr.. BALDwIS.-Certain sir. accept
what the gentleman saws as the just and
fair construction Of his remarks. | have
no desire whatever to place any lnputa-
ton Of that sort upon any man. Certainly
did not understand the position Of the
gentleman as he now states il. But COR
daily WELD his perfect r!gh; TO construc
his remarks.
Mr.. uoLcoMBE-It was M declaration,
and not my construction.
Mr.. BALovIs-Certainly sir, | admit
and yield the point with perfect frankness.
But, sir. it is nevertheless true, not in re-
card to that gentleman, (Mr. HoLcoMnE) but
in regard to many persons. Everywhere you
! 20 YOU hear talk about the degradation of
Virginia. You hear it in this hall; You
hear it everywhere. Sir, look at her past.
MS it has been cloquently and justly depict
ed by the distinguished gentleman from Al
bemarle, (Mr. HoLcoMEE.) IT needless 10
recount it. 1t is the history nf mankind
# is the history Of free principles and free
Government all oyerthc world. ask ron
not to DELAY with me in going over the great
and mighty history Of Virginia $ past.
ask You not to 90 with me TO the Ecvolu-
.ionary period in which her contributions
10 the common cause have heen SO well
compared by the gentleman to those Of
Athens for common Greece. ask you
not to dwell upon, but simply to glance at
the history of her contributions 10 the for
nation of our Constitution. ask yoa to
look, as have looked in passing, at her
influence in shaping, directing and control
ling the policy and administration Of the
Government, and tell ne, is Virginia a"-
graded?
Sir, her past has kcen g!orlous her past
has been one march Of glory. But 1t was
reserved for her present TO crcwn Der VITA
immortal honor. Sir, look at her nov =
Does anv man doubt for ,nomcnt that the
course which Virginia has pursued and IS
nursuing in regard to the great questions
which no Nv agitatc and threaten TO ororlhrow
this great Government OF ours, has placed
her in the position this Iay tina. beyond all
,iisnute, bevond all denial, she holds the
destiny Of this Republic in her own hands :
Can a,iy man deny that that is her present;
nosition? That this day the peace Of this
nation depends entirely upon the Judgment
which Virginia shall pronounce? Does any
man question that Sir, look at this assem-
hW,~, W this constituent assembly Of the people
Of Virginia this day justly attracting the
attention, and the interest, and the prayers
of The friends of free government over the