The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-27
- Clearing the Galleries:


Clearing the Galleries"
This process, hitherto, We believe, unknown
In Virginia, was admirably executed by the
ss'rgeant-at-A ARMS OF the Virginia Conyentio
on Monday Last. Having never before Wit
messed snch an operation, We beheld it with
great in ter,st, and We're much impressed with
the illustra il afforded Of the prompt and
cheerful obedience which the people of Viz
ginia always render TO aUthorits. The term
galleries. IS used in tho Convention, in
cludes the one gallery OF the building properly
20 called and the large vacant space in the
rear of the seats occupied by members, which
IS allotted to spectators. At The time the
order was given, rs, indeed, on every day
since The assembling OF the Convention, every
inch OF available space was occupied by an
In terested and respectful audience. The audi
euces which daily attend this body are made
up OF gentlemen from all parts OF Virginia,
well as those Of our own citizens who have
leisure for such purpose, and certainly, TO
one who has seen the Gisorderly and llI-Ered
multi,ndes who fiji the galleries of Congress
and OF Ncr thern Legislatures, q greater con-
trtst could not b. imagined than is presented
by the spec tators ut the Virginia CONVEX tio:1,
mostly grave, decorous, dignitird body OF ' ir-
aiaia gentlemen who have as substantial inter
ests IN society ,us much Intelligence and respec-
liability in every wayas the Convention Itself
There are OF course exceptional cases Just a s
there ara in the Convention, but not at all
moro numerous than may be found i'll that re
spec table body. Besides this, many OF these
gentlemen have ladies under their charge,
often members of their own families, who
have a claim upon their protection, ana
whom they must leave in house full OF
strangers. unattended, under an order TO clear
the galleries We are therefore not surprised
that this Is a rare process in Virginia, where
such e. thing IS mob is unknown, and
that its Inauguration in the present instance
WAS regretted by many who do not approve the
involuntary applause which accompanied the
remark of Mr.. Goo2g, that 'Nirgiuia would
never submit to II President on the Chicago
platform" and which applause led 10 the
clearing of the galleries. Whilst We are fully
of the opinion that all VINO visit delibera-
tive assenblage ought to be governed by it,
rules, we cannot help thinking that some al
lowances might be made, in these exciting, re-
volutonary times, for the unprecedented
guilt of those who involuntarily applauded
Virginia sentiment. Tho applause, TT the
worst. was not vehement, and was not parti-
cipated In by the great body Of spectators
Nevertheless, the innocent in such cases have
TO suffer with the guilty, and we saw staid,
quiet gentlemen, many OF whom would never
dream Of applauding anything In the Conyen-
lion, who had committed no breach of pro
prety. but vera silent, respectful lis teners 10
the debate, compelled 10 leave the honse and
give up for one day I'VE believa that is the
tent OF the exile on such occasions,l the privi-
IeEe OF gratifying their natural curiosity to wit
ness the proceedings At the same time, we ac-
knowledge that the Convention has the RICH t
to enforce order, and would invoke the people
to aid them in this lawful endeavor. We know
not how they cnn better promote this object
than by staying away, and denying themselves
the very questionable luxury of standing up
in dense crowd, to listen to debates which
they can read at their ease in the morning
papers, and which at present possess no
special interest. Another remedy. we observe,
has been suggested by one of the members, in
the shape of an adjournment of the Conven-
ton to Stanton. This would be also eifec-
tual In ensurlng order and quiet and we are
sure no citizen of Richmond would interpose
the slightest objection to such a movement.
Value of Prompt Military Preparation.
An eminent military writer SAYS " For any
nation 10 postpone the making OF military
preparations till such time they are actu-
ally required in defence is TO waste the public
money and endanger the public safety. The
closing of an avenue of approach, the security
OF Il single road or river, even the strategic
movement of small body of troops, often
effects, in the beginning W hat afterwards can
not be accomplis he'd by large Notifications,
and the most formidable armies, Had small
army in 1912, with a we'll fortified depot on
Lake Champiain, penetrated into Canada,
and cut off all reinforcements and supplies by
way of Quebec, that country would inevita-
bly, have fallen into our possession" Tie
same writer maintains that militia are of lit
tie value in the open field, though often more
valuable than regulars behind Notifications
Reasons for Concentrating Troops In WASH
inKtou.
The Washington FEB. 22l correspondent OF
the Richmond enquirer, says:
Notwithstanding the report ofthe Committee %
he HOD fs.te Al uay