Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-26
VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION.

HuhUINIA CON 1N hONs
MONDAY, March 18th, 1861.
The Convention met at 10 o'clock, A. M.
PRAYER by the Rev. Mr. SOLOMON, of the Disciples
Church.
SOUTHERN COMMISSIONERS.
The President laid before the Convention a report
from the Secretary, in accordance with the resolution
adopted Saturday respecting the speeches OF the Com
mssioners from Georgia. Mississippi and South Carolina
The report encloses letter from W. NJ Elliott, Esq,
explaining the Of delay in printing said speeches.
and stating that they will be ready for delivery on
Tuesday.
THE SUBJECT OF TAXATION.
The resolutions of Mr.. WILEY were taken up, and
further discussed by Mr.. TURNER, Of jackson and
Roane.
FEDERAL RELATIONS.
The Convention then resolved itself into q Committee
of the Whole, and
Mr. BRUCE of Halifax being entitled to the floor,
resumed his speech in favor of the adoption of mid
die ground" viz for Virginia to put forth an ultima
tan, to the North and unless is granted that the State
will resume its sovereignty.
NJ B. discussed the question, "Where shall Virginia
60 ?" in the event of the rejection oil that ut'mdtu'
aud argued to show that the material interests Oh the
State would be greatly promoted by uniting with the Con-
fsderae States of the South He called attention to the
fact that the Tobacco interests Of the State were ad-
versely affected By the imposition OF exorbant duties
upon that staple in foreign countries. No statement OF
those duties can be expected while high tariff is the
policy of the present Union. Blu. in Union OF the
Southern States England and France would be compelled
by reciprocity treaties to diminish the duties upon tnat
staple and thus, by increasing the consumption and de-
mand abroad stimulate its production and increase tue
property OF the planters of Virginia.
After Mr.. BRUCE had concluded his remarks and re-
sumed his seat there was pause, and the Chairman
again stated the pending question to be on agreeing to
the motion Of Mr. CAELILE amend the report oil the
Committee By striking out the whole and inserting the
substitute proposed by him.
Mr.. MOORE OF Rockbridge, then arose and replied
bi hy to a portion of the remarks of Mr.. BRUCE.
ar. SCOTT OF Fauquier alluded to the points OF dill
ference between the propositions OF the Pesce Confer
ence and the report of the Committee OF rwentyone
amending the same. The Committee bad removed am
bguities aud made additions which rendered this report
preferable the original. He called for the yeas and
nays.
Mr. WISE demanded to be fully heard before the sub
ict was finally disposed Of He cared not bow long
takes him; he claimed the right as member OF the Con
vention. He not in condition now TO speak, bis
lungs were acerated and he throted by an infu-
enxl If he should die in the effort to present his views
he will risk his life upon it. He was not ready now His
physician couldn't tell him when would be prudent for
him 10 use his voice-not this day. nor this week he
only asked the opportunity OF obtaining hearing The
debate hasn't opened yet The points that press upon
him aud his constituents have not been presented.
Mr. W. closed by expressing his readiness to vote for
the report OF the Committee in preference TO the subst
proposed by Mr. CARLnE God protect me, said Mr.
W, who cry peace, Peace" aud come to me in the
form OF Bellona.
Mr. HARVIE of Amelia, said he didn't believe Vir-
ginia ought remain 10 tie Union, no matter what
parchment guarantees given unless the Cotton States
come back. He would consent 10 place Virginia in
a medatoria position. He ddns believe that the Union
is now existing The only question for the Convention
10 decide which Coniederacy will you unite Virginia
with ? He would never make another demand upon the
North without sword in bis hand, and would never
consent that Virginia should occupy the position OF
suppiant Mr.. H. declared his purpose never TO vote
for any other proposition than that signed by the other
members of the Committee and himself; but, between
any other two propositions, he would vote Tor T. at in
voyiug the least sacrifice Of Southern rights and South
era honor While he looked upon the Peace Conference
scheme as ugge and cheat, he considered tho Ie-
port of the Committee to be a. least ineligible.
Mr.. HALL, Of Weizsl appealed TO the Committee 10
discard ell the trash and haIerdash about this thing and
adopt the Constitution Of the Confederate States as the
uimatum of Virginia. This plan would best secure the
reconstruction of the Union Mr.. H. said of the Peace
Conference proposition 0f all the su5teiuges, cheats
AID attempted frauds that emanated from any body,
that takes the lead"
After remarks by several members explanatory Of toe
votes they designed TO give the pending question,
etc, the hour OF o'clock arrived and in accordance
with the resolution adopted Saturday, the Committee
took a recess until / o'clock.
TAPTERyooy SESSION.
The Committee rs-4ssembled at O'Clock ?. NJ.
Mr. WISE, WHO was addressing the Committee at the
hour OF recess resumed hs observations upon the amend
ment proposed by Mr. CARLILE. He remarked that the
oil Union cannot be restored without changing the
hearts of the offending States Of the North whose wrongs
have driven our Southern sisters from the Union. lie
would fight against any Union which not acceptable
to the South as well as 10 the North. he had no hope
Of any such Union. To say ttGt you will exhaust ell
OF adjustment is equivalent 10 saying that you viii
remain indefinitely ia the Northern CouicdeEacy.
After Mr. WISE concluded bis remarks,
Mr. LEAKE took the floor, aud presented his views at
some length upon the plan Of the Peace Conference and
her su' i,c's connected with our Federal Relations
Mr. CARLILE followed Mr. LAKE in support of Lis
substitute which embraces the propositions OF the Peace
Conference and in opposition the proposed Confer
ence of the Border Slave States.
Mr. Brown, of Preston advocated the adoption Of
tie report Of the Committee of TWeuty-one.
NJ STUART, of Doddrdge, explained the vote he
designed to give.
Mr. SUMMERS made similar explanation assgni-
various for voting IN the negative while still
tersinng the opinions recently expressed by him when
yndcang the plan Of adjustment adopted BY the Peace
Conference
Sr. WISE replied at some length to the remarks Of
Ms SUMAERs and commented upon the two propositions
before the Committee.
The question 90 striking GU the report Of the Commit
tee aud inserting NJ. CAELEs INSTITUTE then pu',
and determined in the negaiye-yeas 4 (Messrs. Bur
IgY CaRLLE HUBBARD aud P9EyER) nays ll6.
The Committee then rose; rhereupon,
Mr.. CARLILE moved that sbe Convention ad jOurn sine
die.
Pending which, on motion of Mr. NELSON, the Con
ventioa adjourned Until tomorrow at 10 O'Clock.