Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-07

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ledge myself So obluSe i'll understanding AZ
not TO precisely comprehend what question has
| been discussed. Sir, J for one must sny that
gentlemen seem to be in too much of a passion
and seem indisposed TO do deliberately what
cannot be well done unless it is done reflective.
ly. | occupy position of some eubarrass
ment on this iioor-a position somewhat of out
side pressure; and sir, when my shoulders
cease 10 be broad enough to bear ii. shall sur.
render the post which occupy.
What, sir, is the subject now under cons;dc.
ration? As understand it, there is a PROPOSE.
ton Of the gentleman from Chesterfield, (Mr.
CoS,) and proposition Of the gentleman from
Goochland, Mr. LEAxE,) as an amendment TO
that and proposition of the gentleman from
Amelia, (Mr. HAgvIE,) as a substitute for
both. And, Sir, what have we heard Of
clthcr?-what have we heard Of either. say,
with great deal Of admiration for some who
have spoken and will now draw no dis.
tinction between the gentlemen who have spo-
ken, for the remark will apply to ull-that
there has been too much generality and too
little particularly. Sir, where are we now
We are here as members Of this Convention,
occupying, i'll my opinion, in the history OF the
world, the most important position that any
other hundred and iitty.two individuals do oc-
cupy. This great trust is resting upon our
shoulders 10y virtue Of responsibility placed
! upon US without our accord and by reasons
| beyond our control. IL should induce every
member OF this Convention to pause and To
ponder, TO feel and ~ think, and to pray-and
for one, sir, do confess unworthy us |
ain, TO approach the great tribunal Of
| Omnipotent Providence, that | have invoked
Tor myself, and if It were proper here. !
would invoke tur this Convention, that what in
US is dark will lie iumed what is low, will be
raised and supported, that we may rise to the
| hegh; OF our great position and vindicate the
great principles OF Republican liberty.
Sir, consider, if you please, where sc are
To dictate To The twenty-one Iuelabers oi this
Convention chosen by you, sir, after all the ell
| quiry concerning their capacity md fitness Tor
the position which has been ass gncd them,
alter having been in delberation tor three
weeks, and with information before US that
they are HOW about maturing and conSnmInat-
ing those deliberations upon the most inomen-
touS question that ever aSitaled the mind OF
mortal man--wllh a full knowledge Of those
gentlemen, with confidence in their patriot
ism, with jus. comprehension OF their ts-
ness and qualification lur the position which has
been assigned them, knowing that they are TO.
Ing what is best for the prosperity and honor
ut Virgiu!a-tu dictate 10 lllem tie precise
time when they shall report to this Con-
ventiOn, say, sir, IS an insult which |
| will not reflect upon theuI. | am perfectly
willing To vote Tor any resolution which
informs thetu that it Is the wish u this
Convention that they should report at the
earliest practical moment. But, knowing them
as | do, knowing them as NIL the members u
this Convention Go, selected without di>tinc'
ton Of party, co,ning from all parts ii Nir-
giuia, representing the best talent, aid tic best
interests, and the best character oi Virginia,
| will not vote for any reflection upon their
conduct, when have reason to believe that
each man in that committee is cndcavvrng 10
discharge his duty, 10 the very best Of his
ability.
Furthermore than that sir: You have here
vital resolutions, test resolutions, resolutions
offered for the purpose Of committing this Con-
rention 10 a test vote, when there are twenty
one members absent in the discharge OF duty
which this Convention has assigned 10 them {;
ana say for one, that would be unwilling
! TO go into any test vote without having those
members present
And still further, sir: We have report OF
the Peace Conference, in part, which report,
upon its face, says that there arc documents
which have not Yet been procured, because
they could not be procured and accom-
! panying that report is letter from The
| Hon Judge Prockenhroush, which is or
tIcred To be printed and published lor
the enlightenment and information Of tsls
Convention. That Peace Conference, which
was held at the instigation Of Virginia; and
gentlemen seem to he to have either the in-
! petuosity or the tcmerity, Whichever 1t may be
| called, to say that this Peace Conference IS 4
failure, without having heard one word from It
Without having heard word from that Peace
| Conference, gentlemen here, say that Inc ms
| sion Of our Commissioners Is failure ven!
| sir, for reasons private and persona! To myself,
| have cause 10 believe that II is not u failure
heard the distinguished gentleman ircm the
| county Of Halifax. (Mr. FLouESoY.) say That
| they hadn't come up to the nhrk. Will lot
say whether they have come up t. the marx CT
not; but vii! say that desire to near from
those gentlemen upon that question: and When
! | have heard from tllen wish 10 consider Tor
myself how can best represent the interests
of my constituents. When We are 70 discuss
that ouestoa, think j; altogether loo incon.
siderate to take from the hands of the Com.
mittce the subject Of coercion. Fer these reasons
shall vote against any resolution to take from
! their hands the dcliberat. consideration Of That
question. Yet shall vote for resolution
! instructing them 10 report as carly as is prac-
ticuble, hut to report when they are ready,
and not until then.
| Now, sir, if gentlemen will tell Inc wherein
| Virginia will be worstol by this course, will
yield. Ny mind is open TO conviction upon
anv question. But ask how are we any bet
ter otr to-day, than we will he Tomorrow: Can
any gentleman inform mt? Will you be amy
! weaker tomorrow than you are To-Day! lave
! you any property today that Sou GO rot en-
| meet to have tomorrow? Are YOU not the
! same sovereign Slate today that you Will he IL
! munth hence? Have you not the same MA
terials to aid you in sustaining your sove-
! reignty? say thea, Sir, upon this moment.
Gus question, in the consideration of which J
| deem to be involved, j very vital principle OF
Republican liberty itself, ], for one, am nc, IN
favor OF this run.mad haste and this lmpctu0uS
passion. Sir, say that for one, wherever my
constituents wish me 10 go will go; whatever
they wish me to do will DO; whatever IT.
| GINA does will do and wish that matter de-
liberately, calmly, sobsrly, reflected upon b.
fore any action is taken And as we
have the very best material That tins
Convention could afford, in the to,m Of II
Committee Of twenty-on" ! say let US await
their report. and then when We come 10 snhe
determination, let US determine our course as
virginians, without regard to boundaries or
sections; for the fate Of Virginia shall bc lnln"'
and il | ain asked where will 80, will On,
sw.r-l will 20 where Virginia goes, w',i
light under no other banner than hers, VIII
march to the music of no other rune than that
which is inspired urder the staff that lifts a!ol'
her flag, and wish to die under no noeler senti'
meus than the motto which is inscribed upon
her banner-the brightest that ever adorned
natiou's shieId-"Eirg inia-Sic SemPer 1yrd"-
mis-"
Mr.. Grant do not rise to make a speech
upon this OCCASION, but simply to declare to
YOU and the members Of this Convention, the