Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-04-03
VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION.

III the Convention on Monday, Dir. South
all vindcatcd himself from an lmputation
preferred ut a meeting In ScottsElfe, Abe
marie county, to the effect that nc had failed
to conform his action in the Convention To
the position assumed by him when Il eandl-
date lie concluded by announcing his pur-
pose to adhere to that position.
! The Convention resolved itself into 4
| Committee Of the Whole, upon the reports
from the Committee on Federal Relations.
Mr.. Barbour, OF Cu!peper, took the floor,
and concluded his argument in favor nt the
union Of Virginia with the Confederate
States Of the South lie closed with Il satiri-
Cal comment upon the temporlzlng and Va
cillating policy which has been indicated in
this State, by the adoption of "last extreml-
ty' resolutions, and final efforts" to adjust
the national dlfficuties-the tinallty being
! always superseded by the inauguration of
some new scheme.
Mr.. Treadway, of pittsyIvana, then took
the floor, and presented his views. lie an
nounced his concurrence in the doctrine that
Il State has the right of peaceable secession
| but it was right which should not be exer-
cissd except under extraordinary circum-
stances. There were no such evils i'll the
land before lis have prevailed since resort
to preci plate secession by the Southern
! States Secession was not remedy for eXis-
| ting evils. lie had not ii doubt that if Nir-
| gina had Withdrawn from the Union and
connected herself with the Southern Confed-
erurv, civil war would have commenced;
and while others may consider Virginia de-
! graded because she didn't take IL step that
would involve the country in the horrors OF
wax, he believed that she did take the posi-
ton of pcace-maker. with the benedicton OF
| Heaven.
| Mr.. r. proceeded until the hour Of recess
! i'll reviewing and commenting upon the pre-
sent condition of affairs, and in opposing the
secession Of Virginia until IN effort shall
! have been made 70 secure the rights Of Fir-
! gina and the South within the Union
! AS long as there is hope, *hilc nothing can
! harm us i'll waiting he preferred to wait.
The committee reasSembled at + clock.
Mr.. Treadway resumed his speech in favor
| of exhaustins every possible means for the
reconstruction of the Union. lie !amented
the fact that there were no statesmen in the
country capable of stilling the storm and re-
storing peace and tranquility to the nation
! Party spirit was not dead in Virginia. and
5n its exercise, under the direction of pnlti-
clans, was TO be ascribed, to a great extent,
! the troubles ii the country. 1t was too late
now to await tie action of the border States
Virginia should pat forth hrr u:tiinatum,
and il it is rejected by the North, then she
would unite with the Southern Confectionery
Mr.. Montague then took the floor, and re-
Piled to the assertion Of Mr.. Baldwin i'll his
recent speech, that Virginia had acquiesccd
! IN or ratified the action Of Congress on the
subject Of slavery. He next proceeded ::
! discuss the objects of government, to show
that the theory advanced by Mr.. Baldwin,
! tina; the majority should rule, was erroneous
and unten;.ble. Before concluding his re-
/ marks he moved that the committee rise
! Agreed to.
! Mr.. t;ooda. of Bedford, presented reports
! Of t,Yo meetings III said county i'll favor OF Sc
! ceSsion, which were read and laid upon thc
! table
! Mr. i!ary!e presented HE proceedings oi Il
similar meeting III the county OF Amelia,
which were similarly disposed of.
Mr.. EiakeY presented the proceedings of j
similar meeting in Madison county, which
he moved to be printed i'll the proceedings OF
the Convention.
| Mr.. Early opposed the motion, which was
; finally agreed to, and then,
Til. Convention adjourned.