Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-06-14
VIRGINIA. CONVENTION
THIRD DAY.


THIRD DAY
The Convention met at the appointed
hour, in the United States Courtroom, at
the Custom House.
The sitting was opened with prayer by
the Rev Wesley Smith of this city.
The Minutes of the previous day were
read, and, after some trihing amendments,
were approved.
On motion of Mr. Burdett, of Taylor, an
opportunity Was afforded those delegates
who had arrived since yesterday to take
the oath. Several came forward, and the
tOath was administered to them by the
President.
On motion of Mr. Burdett, tue Commit
tee on business WAS increased from Is to l Z
members, by the addition OF the following
gentlemen: james 7 Close, Of Alexandria
county; john Hawxhurst, of Fauquier; j..
Carksndon, of Fairfax, and Mr. Crane, of
Randolph.
Ma. CERLILE: The committee whose du-
" it is TO report business for this Conven-
ton, after several hours of labor have in-
structed me to report declaration I hold
in my hand. We would gladly have had
| more time for subjects so important, but,
anxious to show disposition to discharge
the duties imposed upon thcm, they have
agreed upon this declaration, and will as
as rapidly as practicable, report further
business for the action of the Convention,
aud hope alt matter acted upon will be re-
turned to them for engrossment.
Mr.. CERLILE read the following
DECLARATION or THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA
REPRESENTED N CONVENTION IS WHEELING
The true purpose Of all government is to promote
the welfare and provide for the protection and
rity OF the governed, and when form orgnni-
Llton OF government proves inadequate for, sub
Yersive nf this purpose II is the right Il is the duty
Of the latter alter abolish IT. Tho Bill Of Rights
Of Virginia framed Ia 1T76 reafirmed in 1880, and
again In 1851 expressly reserves this right to tho
majority Of her people and the existing constitution
does not confer upon the General Assembly the power
TO call Convention to alter it's provisions, to
change the relations Of the Commonwealth, without
the previously expressed consent Of such majority
The act of the General Assembly, calling the Conven-
ton which assembled at Richmond in February last,
was therefore usurpau n and the Convention thus
called has not only abused the powers nOmlnally
entrusted to it, but, with the connVAnce and active
aid Of tile executive has usurped RndeNercsed other
powers TO the manifest injury OF the people, which,
IL permitted, will Inevitably subject them to mill
The Convention, by its pretended ordinances, has
required the people Of Virginia to separate from and
states and against the citizens Of neIghbOrinE States
with whom they have heretofore maitainned friend-
Is, social aud business relations:
It has attempted to subVert the Union founded by
Washington and his cOpatTiots n the purer days Of
the republic, which has conferred unexampled pros
peTity upon every class OF citizens, aud upon every
section Of the country:
1t attempted TO transfer the allegiance Of the
people to an Illegal eonederacy of rebellious States
and required their submission TO its pretended edcts
and decrees:
1t has attempted to place the whole military force
and military operations Of the Commonwealth under
the control and direction Of such conederacy for Of
fensiYe rs well defensive purposes.
It has in conjunction with the State executive In
stitutsd wherever their usurped power extends,
rrgn Of terror intended to suppress the free express
ion ofthe will of the people, making elections mock
cry aud fraud:
The same combination, even before tile passage Of
the pretended ordinance Of secession, instituted
by the seizure aud appropriation Of the property of
the Federal Government and by organizing and mObi-
liking armies, with the NvOwed purpose OF capturing
destroying the Capitol Of the Union
They have attempted to bring the allegiance OF the
people Of the United States into direct conflict with
their subordinate allegiance to the State thereby
making obedience to their pretended Ordinance trsa
We therefore, the delegates here ASSEMBLED 10 Con-
Tanton 70 devise such and take such action
the safety and welfare of the loyal citizens of vIr
plorabIs condition to which this once hap3y Com
mOnWealth must be reduced, unless some regular
adequate remedy Is speedily adopted, md appealing
to the Supreme Ruler Of the Universe for the rect
tude our intentions, 10 hereby, in the name and
on the behalf Of the good people Of RnIa solemn
" declare, that the preservation Of their dearest
property, impsmtiySiy demand tho Reorganization Of
the government Of the Commonwealth, and that all
acts Of said Convention and Executive, tending to
separate this Commonwealth from the United States,
or to levy and carry war against them, are with.
out authority and void; and the offices of all who
adhere to the said Convention and Executive Wheth
er legislative, executive judicial, are vacated.
j. W. PAXTON, of Ohio, submitted the
following which was referred:
ReIolued That the people Of Northwestern Vir-
ginia have long and patiently borne the position Of
political lnferiority forced upon them by unequal
representation In the State Legislature, and by
just oppressive, and unequal taxation, but that the
called ordinance OF secession, passed by the Con-
veution which met in Richmond on the 18th Of Feb
ruary Last, IL the crOWning act Of nfamy which has
aroused them to determination to resist all injustice
aud oppression, and to assert and forever maintain
their rights and liberties in the Union and under the
Constitution Of the United States.
Mr.. PAXTON said: In considering matters
that come before MS for action here it is
very difficult but very important that we
all realize the actual existence of war
civil war. We must not forget, sir, that
we are now engaged in struggle for the
nations very existence; that our differences
are not now being settled as heretofore at
the ballot box, peacefully and quietly, but
by the bayOnet and at the lannon's mouth
You, sir, and l, aud every American citi-
zen this day are parties to this struggle on
one side or on the other-either as loyal
lists or rebels. And he who sympnthises
with, who directly or indirectly, aids or
StANOUlNBSS S'SHSI s'HSi 10 just % muSi u
party to this war as if on the tented field
ITSELF assert, and in doing so appeal to
all past observation and experience for my
Justification, that there is not, and there
can be, no real neutrality; that assumed
neutrality either by State or by an indi-
Vidual is practical secession. tits well to
remember this in coming to the cousidera-
ton of our duties in this great emergency.
What is our duty? For what are we
convened? What is expected of us by that
patriotic and Union-loving constituency
whom We represent, and who we we'll know
are resolved never to submit to the military
despotism inaugurated at Richmond? Sir,
they expect of us action. They not only
expect but they demand prompt, decisive
and Organized rasistnnce to trnitnra and 70