Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-26

tons MS VIC have been for the election OF officers.
| move now, sir, to take M the resolution otter
ed by me on Wednesday last and laid on Inc
table ut that time.
The resolution was tukcn up. 1t reads ms iol
lows:
Resolved, That IL select committee OF five DC
nppointed with instructions TO enquire and re-
port as speedily as practicable. whether any
movement of arms or men has been made by
the General Government to any fort Or arsenal
| in or bordering upon Virginia. indicating pre-.
paration for attack or coercion.
| Mr.. 4. N. BARBOUR am sure. sir, that
this body Of Virginia gentlemen will recognize
the delicacy fmy position upon aques,ion like
this. But, sir, | want it known to all Virgil
MIA, that upon this floor, although occupying
Federal Office, represent the sovereign poo
pie Of Virginia.
Unjust return my thanks to this Convention
for the kindness they did me in my absence, to
lay that resolution upon the table, and shall
also express to them ny regret that my alb
scnce prevented the appointment Of the Com,
mitice, which the resolution proposed.
That resolution meets with my cordial appro.
baton. want all these facts brought out
Let The truth come Instead Of flying rumors
and telegraphs in sensation papers FROM sensa-
ton people When the time comes --when
that Committee reports here, pledge myself
before the whole people Of Virginia. that every
soldier ard every piece of ammunition sent 10
the armory at Ilarpcr's Ferry-sent there un.
der my suggestions, from considerations OF the
highest obligations CT duly-duty to the State
of Virginia and duty to the Federal Govern
meut, will be luude known; and, gentlemen. il.
will be to me- as Eirg;nian, source Of sin
cc:e consolation, if the sequel of that invest-
gatiun docs not become 10 the people cf Virgil
nia Il subject Of regret.
have nothing more to say, except to repeat
my thanks to these gentlemen who had this
resolution laid upon the table in order to give
inc an opportunity to be heard.
Mr.. BoRsT-Mr. President | wish 10 sag
one or two words upon this subject
concur with the gentleman who has just
taken his seat, that tins Committee ought to be
appointed for Two rGasons. One is that II
these rumurs in reference 10 the movements
Of arms and men, referred to in the resolution,
bc false, the good people Of Virginia ought to
be made acquainted with the fact. But II, per.
chance, it may be true, is it not equally iniPor-
tant that this Convention, that the people Of
this city, that he people Of the Common
wealth should know the fact =:
What is sought TO DC inquired into? Whether
or not tho Federal Government is reinforcing
our forts and arsenals, and whether it is taking
posscssion of our munitions Of war which have
been placed within the Commonwealth for
the nnrpose as we are led To believe, Of State
defence, to suhjugate and uvcrawe our people.
care not what the preteXt Of the General Go.
vernnent may have BEEN in placing these mu.
nitinIis within our territory-whclher of pre-.
serving the peace in the neghhorhood where
these munitions have been deposited, o. for
any other purpose think it will be ascer-
tanned. upon investigation, that these warlike
mo, ements have been made for the purpose Of
overGwing Virginia aud intindating her ac-
ton If not, perhaps. it will BE- found to have
been done for another purpose, and that is II
this Convention should determine during its
deliberations here that it is light aud proper 10
pass IN Ordinance of Secession in order to So.
cure the rights Of Virginia and to maintain her
interests, that then the Federal Government
will be in position to cocrce her. Let me
here say 10 this Convention, whose members
arc, no doubt, familiar with the Trojan war,
that the Old Dominion may find herself in the
attitude in which ancient Troy was placed by
the wooden horse OF the Greeks. May not
these Notifications prove to Virginia, by and
1t is well that our people should take warn
ing by these suspicious movements OF the
Federal Government. | will say for my people
that they are utterly opposed TO coercion; that
they are opposed at this time 10 any re-
enforcement ur the forts or arsenals by the Fee.
dcral Government; and believe it is the senti.
nent Of Virginia. that if the Federal Govern
ment shall til its wooden horses within her
limits with arms and munitions Of war for the
ultimate destruction of her people, that the
voice Of this Convention should be heard issu.
ing orders 10 seize the wooden monster etid
hurl it from the State.
Let rue here say that the constituency OF tho
little county Of Page are in favor Of a Union
of equality, n Union If peace, and Union
of slric. Justice to al sections. These were
the principles which first formed the basis Of
Union. The voice Of that people shall ever
tie heard in support Of such Union. They
will always favor such Il Union us our fathers
gave us. and will 60 rs for as any other people
| IL prop the pillars Of that Union and key the
arch. But let mc say this, thnt they are op-
posed to Union tina. will not give equality.
They will never support Union that will not
furnish protection to all They will never de
fcnd Union that has no spirit, no vitality.
When this Univn lapses into mere carcass
without g soul, they will unite only 10 exc.
crate ard condemn it.
! With these remarks will express hope
thai toe Convention. will adopt this resolution,
that We ,nay ascertain the true condition Of
the country. II we are 10 be Inenaccd; II we
are to be coereed; if the General Government
contelnplates policy Of suhjngatIon, hope
and trust the fact will be made known.
Mr. 4. NJ. BARBoun.-I have no disposition
TO have myself paradcd in the local papers in
connection with this or any other matter. |
do not intend to discuss the question Of Union,
but mean to say, that if Virginia gentlemen,
who are in favor Of going out Of the Union,
are afraid OF fifty blue.coa,ed men, they
had better stay in We shall fed that
the result Of This conflict will be- that the men
who go out lasl will be The lirSt to fight for
you. desire tn say, that want Virginia to
stay in the Union, il she can do so upon terms
of honor; and il not want her to 60 out and
appeal to the God Of battles. do say this,
also, az Virgnian that if you get me ou',
will cut this head off before come back.
am not in favor of lodging old Virginia out Of
the Union one day. to get her in another.
want to stay in the Union upon terms that are
satisfactory to all our people, and when We
cannot stay in upon such terms, to 80 out;
! and if YOU 60 out, then there is no power on
tho face Of this earth that can bring back the
brave and noble people of the Commonwealth
Of Virginia.
Mr. EARLr.-I am sorry 10 dctan the Con-
vrntion for one moment, but feel bound TO
make remark or TWO with regard to this re-
solution.
thiuk we can all understand tho motives
that hctlSted the gentleman from Jefferson,
| MIR. \. N. BARRoUR) in tho call that he made.
| j Virginia gentleman and Federal officer. IN
! charge OF an arsenal belonging to the United
States. when lawless designs were initiated in
some Of the States, was put in position that
required for the protection Of his honor that
he should not be charged with coluding at
any unlawful at,sn,pt upon the arsenal in his
charge. think bhrre can be no misapprehen.