Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-04-10
VIRGINIA.

The state of Virginia at an early period al
ter the revolt of the Gulf states assumed the
attitude of a mediator. 1t seemed TO be as
difficult for her to approve and encourage 10y
al devotion to the Union as TO unite in the
criminal work of the secessionists. The states
which remained true to the constitution, and
to their implied political faith, acquiesced in
her proposition for Peace Convention, and de-
ferred as far as they could honoraby to the
demands of her delegates. Still the state re
manned dissatisfied, and union.loving men
have doubted if it was safe to rely on her
qualified and conditional loyalty. The seces-
sionists recently, however, appear to have sus.
tanned partial defeat in the convention, and
for day or two The policy of the state was
regarded as hopeful and encouraging. The
resolutions of the convention, which have been
finally adopted, though in some respects of
equivocal and ambiguous phraseology, are sus-
ceptibe of favorable construction, and indi
cate that the majority prefer to abide by
the Union as it is rather than expose them
selves to the incalculable evils of a separation.
On the 4th inst. the following resolution was
offered as q substitute for one Of the regu
lar series =
ReSolyed, That an ordinance of secession re-
Stunning the powers delegated by Virginia and
providing for submitting the same 10 the quail.
fled voters of the commonwealth for adoption
or rejection at the spring election in May,
should be adopted by this convention
1t was rejected by vote of 80 against As,
nh
stoned great rejoicing among the Unionsts.
On the day following, the original resolution
was finally adopted, in the following form =
"Resolved, Deeply deploring the present
distracted condition of the country, amenting
the wrongs that have impelled some of the
states to dissolve their connection with the
federal government; bnt sensible of the bless
ings of the Union, impressed with its impor-
lance to the peace, prosperity, and progress
OF the people, we earnestly desire that an
adjustment be reached by which the Union
may be re-estabished in its integrity and
peace, and prosperity and fraternal feelings be
restored throughout the land"
The effort was attempted to have the con-
ventioa make a declaration chat the north
must abstain from interference with slavery in
the states and common territory, and abandon
all hostile political organizations" which was
rejected by vote OF 40 against 30. Mr..
Bouldin asked for declaration that "the
separate independence of the seeded states
ought to be acknowledged without further
delay This also was rejected On the 9th
inst, one of the conservative members offered
a preamble and resolutions, supposed to have
been suggested by tile late war movements
which was amended and adopted, as follows:-
Whereas, In the opinion of this convention
the uncertainty which prevails in the public
mind as to the policy the government intends
to pursue toward the seeded stateS isrex-
tremelY injurious to the commerce. 4. Ina in
dustrial interests of the country n tends
to keep up an excitement W Favorable
% an adjustment o. faculties,
IND ~ rsHtens - public
- ,k,t.