Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-13

This is great crisis. We want the mora
courage to III, ct it: We hsve the physical cou
rage. We want that calm serenity whi"i
draws inspiration from our own bosorns B
a prompt and nrhnlY action We you'd dispeaS
o beneficial influence on all around US. L.
us then stand up fully and fairly. pray t
God that the members Of this UcnTt ntion n.a
be wis., strenuous, firm. Of unsubnittin,
souls, ITO check this torrent Of downwnri
haste, to slavery borne and bid u: rise a-aii
| Let us come in this spirit 20 the Question.
Mr. NIsE--i want 70 give notice, that if th
main question be- no. ordered, shall cff:r a:
amendment 10 the preamble and resolution
The preamble as suggested by tie ccntlcina.
from Augusta, Cdr. BALDwiH) en- Saturday
and accepted by the gentleman fruIa Mont
gomery, (Mr PnEsToS,) rec.tcs:
Whereas, in the opinion Of this Convention
| the uncertainty which prevails in the publ
mind As to the policy which the General G,g
ernment intends to pursue towards the ssceGc'
States, is extremely injurious TO tho induslrii
and commercial interests Of the country, tend
70 keep up an excitement which is unfnrorab!
to the adj lslnlent OF pending & lficul:ies, ar,
threatens disturbance Of The public peace" &c
| shall move, if the main question is no
ordered, to strike out in the second line tl
words Federal Government" and insert th
words Federal Executive" The Fedora
Executive cannot, presume, be called upon Il
| answer rs 10 the policy Of the General Govern.
utent. The General Government consists Q
three departments, and We a!e ONLY calm:
upon One, and according TO the terms Of Gti,
preamble, ne would have 10 speak for Congrcs:
and the Judiciary. Our intention is to cal
upon the Executive, and the Executive a!,n.
lor information as to its policy, that being l!Ie
department which is sworn to execute IL.
laws.
Then, again, the resolution Of the gentleman
from Montgomery reads: "Rcsolred, g. That
committee Of three delegates be appointed by
Tins Convention 10 wait upon the President oI
| the United States, present to MIN these resolu
tioas and respectfully usk OF him to c1mmuri
cate to this Convention the policy"-em5racirg
the general terms--"which the authorities oI
tic Federal Government again --"intrIId Il
pursue in regard TO the Confederate States"
Now, shall propose to strike out the word,
''auth0riles Of the Federal Government in
tend, aud Insert the words Federal Executive
lnteuds, so that it will read, THAT 4 cn,n.ait.
Ice OF three delegates be appointed by this
Convention to wait upon the President Of the
United States, present to him these resolutions,
tnd respectfully ask Of him 10 communicate to
thlS Convention the policy which the Federal
Executive intends TO pursue in regard to the
Confederate States"
Mr.. PHEsTUS.--l accept the amendments.
Mr. WisE.-Thrn, want, in order tD re-
IN if,,S tn, TES tI,,I,
.hich cxisls in my mind, TO add, and palticG.
larly in respec. to the for:ibc occupation "l
the various forts within their limits, t,y thr
troops Of the United States" SO tha. the rrso.
luton will read
''kesolyed That committee o. three dele
gates be appointed by this Convention TO wait
upon the President OF the United States pre-
sent to him these resolutions, and respectfully
ask ot him to communicate TO this CCn:cntio
the policy which tine Federal Executive III
tends to pursue in regard to The Confederate
States, and particularly in respect to the roTcl
BILE occupation Of the various forts within tbcIl
limits by the troops uf the United States.
Aud in explanation Of this, ask lca7e o
the House, s,r, through you, TO say word.
There being no objection.
aIr. WISE said Mr. President, the gentle
mar from Augusta, tMr. SruART) rrn!arkc'
| that he will no: coISent TO go into l crosse x
| animation Of the President as 10 the pui'r,
which he means tD pursue in regard to the b.
cvded States. | cunc,ir with hin in the cN:en
OF his oDjscIions but 90 rot concur with him
however, IN the application Of MS objections L
aaY remark have heard Oh ih!s f1o. today,
Il canuet be inferred, from what said, at a!
events, that propose To n:srrugate the P'esi
dent OF the Uuitcd States SO as 10 Involve US II
ary confusion oI questions and ansHrIS. Bu
do wish 10 interrogate hnl as TO OF,
point do wish your resolution to indicate
one point What is that, sirs lie is noa
occupying the forts within tho jurisdiction
Of The seeded States. lie holds pow Fort Suru
ter; he holds the TerLusas; be holds FUr
P,ckens; he holds the baran:,s. Sir, re-
peat it, whether he has troops there CT not. hs
holds 10 the idea Tint he hua a right 10 pu
troops there I infer from his continuing lc
hold these forts, that he intends to persist If
holding them. WE'LL now, sir, don't go iitc
the question at ull of the right 70 hold them oi
the pretex. to hold them, only uok ut oni
fact which inevitably follows, and it is Ibis
that if he persists in holding these forts, after
these States have seceded-Giler they have re-
sumed the powers granted by them under the
Constitution Of the United Siales-hs
holds them OF the peril CT war; he holds them
ut the risk, Mr.. President, of Resistance by the
seeded Stales-he holds them, in my mind,
under a momentary apprehension that South
Carolina, that Alabama that the seven States
combined, with their conlrderated power, Will
attempt to expel the forces ot the United States
II so, what does it matter to you and HE, Sir,
whether he makes the attack; Whetncc lie
commits the aggression; whether he brings or
collision: whether he is the ono 10 Initiate
the war. Does it make any dlll.reuce with
you or me, slr, or TO tue people OF Virginia,
whether he commences the war or whether ihe
Confederate States make the attack? III either
syent they cln say to him, You hase cuul.
tnenced the war--you first committed hoslilI
ties by holding these forts, within my sose
reign Jurisdiction" lie will scy, NO; holc
them under general power a you; you
have not been rc!e,.sed from 5" = obligations
TO The Federal authority l ha7e aot admitted
the right Of State 10 sece'.r: am coln.
pelicd under my oath TO excite the laws
OF the United States, and j, Jou attempt
TO expcl the forces Of h-sc | .:!trd States, you
colpmebce the aggrcsslon--l um defending ol'-
ly the power which ali aSor!i - protect ana
exercise" Sir, is hot that war? lou may
say that he is right; you may say that this is
not aggression lie will say -; but say It
is war or it is nothing; and l.: L, say, sir, tiat
there ars mt ID beIs On tits lo,r who hu.d !nai
this is not aggression; that that is not coer-
cion. One gentleman has aTowed Il already
openly upon this floor Thr5. are other gen.
t!enen who bold tho satne o,.inions, among
whom is the chairman OF ti.c Committee
OF twenty one. lie holds 10 the Locirine That
the Federal Government have right 10 hoiu
tue Tortugas Am right i'll that or not?
Mr.. CoSRAD, OF Fredclick.-l anu lot aware
that had occason to state anything about MY
opinion upon the subject in the Convention.
don't rerollcct that have.
Mr. WIsr.-Have l made a mistake then;
can only say that went to tee gentleman
and asked the question in order to understand
the effect OF the resolution. did not ask it il
confidence, nor did receive bis answer in
Hdancu Rut ha eynrassr6 .hc Oniuiotl