Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-02

King CDttOD; anu IN us place YOU Hi'S
tute flax OF hemp. But when you SIT GOWN u
YOUR meals, you cannot substitute anything io1
King Wheat We have moro than one hin5
say, then, in Virginia, and when you put al
Incse Kings together, they far over ride h'he
Cotton, with all the power that he may pos
ScsS.
dn net intend, Nr. President, 10 take W
your time, and the time of the Convention
! much lorger had no intention of making
an elaborate argument Ny only desire "as t
; present some Of my views upon the great
question now before US, and was exceedingly
anxious to let this Convention know the view:
oil those represent in this humble body. By
way OF inilaming the passions Of the people o
Virginia, you have been cited to the Johr
Brown raid, and you bold the Black Republic
can party responsible for that Now think
the best plan is t. do justice all round TO every
body. Every n,an here. o: course, and else
where, coUdcmIud that whole proceeding; and
say it is unjust to charge tho Black Rephb
can party As party with countenancns tho
John Brown raid. If gentlemen will read the
Chicago platform, you will find in 1t that they
distinctly Denounced it. | want you to under
stand distinctly, that do not synpathIze with
the Black Republican party; bat say justice
ought to be done to all When we meet in a
body like this, for the purpose Of discussing
questions, and arriving at the truth, we ought
to icll the whole truth, und nothing else
bu, The truth, if We kajw it. II is un
just, liisn say, 10 condemn the Black Rcpuo
licaa party, am! hold them responsible tvr the
lawless acts OF john Brown and his followers.
But, Mr., President, we have been asked over
and over again, where will Virginia g1: III
she 90 to the North or TO The south: That
question wai answered this morning Lyv 'ny
friend from Rocl;bTidse OR. M1oNsl, uad 1t Is
hardly necessary that should S.: G!orc alb lit
it than to remark, that heartily concur in his
views. | say, she is to g. n'~hesc
Some members Of this body have been up.
peaing 10 others to know what should be done
in case coercivc measures we're adopted by the
Grler;,l Government | say that this Conren'
ton, if 1t is desired to bring about an annlcabie
adjustment Of all our difficulties. ought TO act
wisely, deliberately, and juiiciously. Set gu!
your grievances and demand your rights. Bu;
il the object is 20 frigaten Us, you will never
accomplish ANY thing. | have no more idea
that the people Of the South can inlimidate the
people of the North than that the people OIL
the North can intiinilata the people Of the
South. IL asked anything 2: yuur hands,
Mr.. President, would have to COME up re
spcc,ully and make my demund in proper
Way Ii undertook 10 threaten you, know
that would never get what wanted. States
As well as individuals will not submit 10
threats You cannot settle difficulties III that
wag.
Here is another question UPON which de-
sire TO submit few remarks | mean the pro-
position presented by the Peace Conference ut
the city Of Washington. Whatever may be
the opinion Of Others whatever may be the
opinion Of the gentleman who last spoke-iha
gentleman from Grange lalr MoEToS)-l, Tor
one, accept the proposition agreed upon by the
Peace Conference; and in this view, desire 10
with Ing. think that Virginia ought TO nc.
cept it. and think she will. If this matter
were properly brought before the people Of the
State und it were DISCUSSED from its centre to
its circumference, hare no hesitation in say
ing that The people would rise in the majesty
Of their might and settle this question at once.
They would he willing to accept the PROPOSE
tiru presented hi the Peace Conference ct
Washington
10 not want, Mr. President, as said yes.
terday, that there should be any doubt as to
the position occupy upon the subject now I'M
der discussion. Ii ain wrong, | am respon'
slbir 10 the people of my county, and to them
alone, who knew luy views before came here.
| And right at this point, desire to read short
extract from the Eth Article Of the Constitu
ton of the United States. | know that the
members OF this House must DC familiar with
IT, hut will read it for my own satisfaction,
so that my define my position more correct
~, and so that gentlemen may know exactly
tho position take:
The Congress, whenever two thirds OF both
Houses shall deem 1t necessary, shall propose
amendments to this Constitution"
It is expected that the plan now submitted
by the Peace Congress will be adopted by
Congress as an amendment TO the Constitution.
do not know whether they will or not The
present Congress expires III day or two; i
Dc not know whether they will have the time
to do so or not hut mnst be permitted 10
say, ii they do not submit it in the way have
suggested, | shall not he very much surprised.
[ never had much confidence in the Black Re.
publican members Of Congress agreeing 10 any
inir proposition
But if they do not agree 10 this theirs is an
o,her re.nedy-and 20 for that last resort
am not willing that this Government Of ours
shall be broken UP and cas-. to the fur winds
Of Heaven, because some Of the Black Republi.
cans, who were elected years ago TO oEi':e, are
not wii:s,r- to save it. Ii Congress fail to
agree to the proposition now submitted by The
Peace Conference, there is another remedy,
and it is this: On the application Of the Lesis.
latures Of two.thirds Of tine several States Con
greS, shall call Convention for proposing
amendments, which, in either cases, shall be
valid TO uii lntents and purposes, US part OF this
Constitution, when ratified By the Legislatures
%. three fourths OF the several States, or by
Conventions in three !uurths thereof, Us the
one or the other mode Of ratification may De
proposed by the Congress"
Though Congress fail to recommend amend.
nlcn.s To- lie Constitution according to the pro
positions laid dom by the Peace Congress, ]
want this Convention TO lay down the basis for
settlement Of our difficulties in the way here
suggested | desire to have this question 10
20 to the people Of all the States and want
them TO elect members 10 their Legislatures,
who will ask Congress to call constitutional
Convention, and then, in that event. Congress
would feel itself bound to call such Conven-
ton. will not be satisfied about that. If
the politicians fai! to settle this matter want
tho bono and sinew of tho country and the
voters Of the country to pass upon it. When
all is done that just people can do, if The pro-
position have indicated is fairly brought be-
fore the people Of the non-sluvehoding States
Is well as Of the slaTeholding States, and it be
rejected then would say TO them: we eau
not agree let us part in peace" If they re-
fuse to let US part in peace, then would say,
if you attempt 10 make war upon our rights OF
upon our institutions, it is Mt your peril.
want to try oil these constitutional mea-
surcs. have faith that the present difficulties
can be settled 1t is necessary, Mr.. President,
to have faith II we could believe that this
Union might be saved and shape our conduct
accordingly; if We do MI in our power to aver!
the dangers that now threaten US, the happies,
results would attend our efforts and peace and
harmony would once more he restored to 4 dis.
tracted land
have said all intended 10 say. and ttank
IL. - 80; c. ~, !;