The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-14
THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION.

Our N1CnmOmU correspondence.
RcpEoSD, Va, Feb. IL, 1891.
y7ro Of Delegates 10 The Sate Conuenno-Opinions of
the Delegaes-7he Secession Of Tiryinia hteritabl--Oo
s.acles to Direct Trade in TirgnaA Dism,iOs Book i,
Actire Reguisitioa, dc, dc.
Several Of the delegates to the Convention have ar
rived this evening" and by tomorrow evening it is OK
pected all will have arrived II Is doubtful whe her any
assembly has convened ia Virginia combining more
talent than the Convention which is ID meet here on
wednesday next Every man OF note in tho State win bo
member Of lit, while it will also combine the rising in
tellcct OF the Commonwealth which has heretofore been
obcured for want Of favorable opportunity for s de-
yeopement Former State conventions Of this character
have formed Of future elevation 10 power and
distinction for many, II not ALL o, Virgnas distinguished
men. The present Convention will be made available
for similar purposes by the ambitious youths who have
been fortunate enough TO seats that body Tho
danger Is that We shall have too much talk for buncombc
to the neglect Of the vital interests which the Convention
was called 10 consider.
Ihave ccnversed with many Of the leading delegates
that have arrived far and while oet cf them come
under that c,ss set down "conseryave they frankly
admit that virginia. continuance In Northern alliance,
AZ at present. with governms OF Conedera.ed South
ern states formed beside her, out OF the question TO
show how the Northern people have been deceived IN tho
result Of the late virginia election, VIII give
statement made 70 me by delegate elected
as q conservative Ee cad that no result
could have been more favorable for .he secession
cause than thaexhbite By the late election returns"
ar said he the secessionis!s prS niunphed, the
neola of virginia would never have ratified any seces
sion ordinance which they might pass rhoy would take
for granted that s passage the result of foregobe
conclusion and not the oprng Of events or necessity
with the Convention u s constituted, the case
will be very different The members composing IL have
been elected in the full confidence that their acton. Il
should prove be the passage Of ordinance u
sion viii be the result OF deliberate counsel prudence
and necessity; and being thus assured they VIII unbcsl
taiingy ratify any action which tho convention may
takeb There IL much force aud consistency in these
remarks and firmly believe that they embody tho real
sentiments of the people Of on the great question
upon which the Convention ehal act Another Of the
called conservatives" expressed 10 mo his conviction
that no matter what concessions may be mado 10 the
border States they WI not agree 20 remain in Tho Union
with the cotton States out" Ills belief was that f yr.
elna told by the North We win give you all you
require. would not suhce TO induce her 20 continne IN
the Union with tho North, with her sftor States Of tho
South holdiEg heI ,Tesent attitude or se,a.tc indc-
pendelce And as 10 thea every here believes TIM,
their severance s permanent and iTcyoeabe. No oacr
in the git of the Northern people could induce them
% retgfn; and according 70 the remarks Of many Of
tho delegates, Virginia Is now reduced " tho
Alternate OF dining the Northern or Southern confodo
racv Tho resolutions adopted by the present Legisla
tufe at nm early stage Of tho seesiontha IN my event
the destiny Of Virginia with the southre1cct clearly
the sentiments q the people Of the Old Dominion In the
matter Of choice Of associations. Tho secession press
and orators have determined upon passive policy IN
view Or the favorable suits looked Tor IRON the pecu
dilemma in which the Old Dominion finds herself They
think che needs stimulus and that II s better 70 leave
her 10 the operation Of natural Any tender Of al
vice looking 10 secession would be inaUspcious al TIME
when circumstances mperatively urging her " that
resort no doubt - the chagrin Of many who viii yield
only from cheer necessity. The accession Of virginia
can safely say is foreCono conclusion. Whether y
takes pace before after the Sh Of March IN Of o
sequence far the final iHgue Is concerned The &c
cessops in the Convention, II s said viii take no ac
tive part In tho proceedings but leave the question Of
Vii rna future sotus entirely In the hands OF those TO
whcm the people have manifestly entrusted u. they
will look quietly on awaiting the progress OF events 20
the p,in when tho alternative shall be presented Of
Union with The North the South. The voice OF Virginia
will Indicate its desire when the question comes 10 that.
we're their estimates Of the result Of the late election
The organization Of provisional government by tho
ceded Satcs has given active impulse 70 the secession
sentiment here, and will, IL s thought, exercise great
influence over the Convention.
In all this real and activity the question Of seces-
sion strange that of the greatest obstacles
the establishment OF direct trade with Europe, which
must be looked 70 the basis Of future commercial
prosperity, s permitted 10 remain undisurbed Il ap-
pears thai the ate Of Virginia imposes tax three times
upon all imported goods, varying from two 70 quar-
ter per cent In the first place, tax s imposed upon
the importer then again upon the Jobber or wholesale
merchants, and finally upon the retaler-al paying
certain per centage upon their sales THIS per cenage,
whch graduated within the limits above mentioned
two and one quarter per CENT? 10 made 70 bear bseyiy