The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-03-22

here; the people on this side slept in entire
security. He did not believe there was any
reason 10 apprehen nd an invasion of our bor-
der If Ii should be- the patriotic people of
Western Virginia wouid meet the invaders |
with a force that would strike terror to their
hearts. An invading army might approach
by railroad to tie very verge of the border, |
but when they crossed, an obstruction, placed
upon the track by a patriotic hand, would
throw car loads of soldiers into eternity
They could only advance by the slow progres-
sion of other days and the electric fire of the
telegraph would communicate the news OF
their approach, and mighty host would De-
prepared for resistance. living wall would
be formed, mpassable by any invading army. |
The speaker made an eloquent appeal TO the
West TO come up to the rescue OF irglnia |
from the hands Of her oppressors. In glow
ing words he depicted the event OF war De- |
tween the General Government and the Sc |
cedei States. Virginia would not then Win
hold the sinews of war from her sisters. lit |
was with difficulty THAI the chairman could
repress the disposition to applaud, manifested |
by the throng in the lobby and IN the gallery. j
AS much he loved the Commonwealth, |
(said Mr.. II. in eonclusion,) rather than see
her dey late from the path of glory marked out
for her, rather than SEQ hor forsake the prin-
ciples of the fathers, he would forsaka their
ashes, and say, Where Liberty dwelis, there
is my country" When he remembered that
the dag which had been SO eloquontly alluded
TO on this floor now waved over power at
Washington that seeks our destruction
which might wave over the ruins OF peaceful
head of armies marching on TO desoate our
proyinces-he would have Virginia turn from
1t with indigna ton, and remember that the
true colcrs of the country were the spirit and
the principles which animated our fathers 10
resist tyranny and repel aggression.
As Mr.. Hoicombe uttered the closing SEN
| tence 1.-THE eloquent language OF which we but
| family portray,) there was spohtaheousout-
| burst of applause, and the Chairman prompt
| ly gave the order for clearing the lobby and
| gallery.
| Mr.. AMBLER, OF Louisa, appealed to the
| Chair to withdraw the order.
| Mr. SHEFPEY, of Smythe said there was as
| much applause on the floor of the Convention
| az anywhere else.
| The CHAIRMAN said he had indicate his
| course Yesterday, and had given ample eau
| ton in regard to these disturbances. he was
| satisfied that there was some applause on the
| floor OF the Conven ton ; but the members had
| adopted rules for their own government, ana
| he had no right to go beyond those rules II
| was his duty, however, TO enforce ORDER among
| the outsiders, and this he was determined 10
DO.
| Mr. FLoURxoY, of Halifax, said he had his
eve on the gallery when the demonstration
| was made, and he was satisfied that the spec
| tators there had strictly obeyed The injunction
OF the Chair. Whatever applause there was,
| proceeded from the noor. a voice in the
lobby-"Good." He thought the spectators .
ought not to be made TO suner lot a dls turo.
ance made on the moor, IN which tieJ oiu 'io
| par cipate.
Mr.. MORTON, of Orange, said there was no
| thing so desirable in the discussion OF thls
| great question, as the preservation Vi oIuei
| bnt il was i'm poss ible TO repress an outburst
| of sympathy under such eloquent appeais'
| After some further remarks, In "nlch ne q /
luded to the "heartless order Tor clearing the
galleries -.
| Mr. EARLY, of Franklin, rose to point oi
order. The gentleman had spoken OF Il hearl-
less order.
| The CHAIRMAN said he was aware ol thai
and proposed to reply.
Mr. MORTON disclaimed any intention TO re-
| fleet upon the action of the Chalr -
| Mr. BALDWIN,, of Augusta, said 1t was MS
| fortune to follow the eloquent gentleman
| from Albemarle and he thought this TACT tdr'
nished 81 guarantee that there would be nc
more demonstrat tions of applause. Laugh
| ter.
| The CHAIRMAN said his duty required him
| to enforce order in the hall, and this would be
|, | done He was perfectly satisfied that thefe
was much disturbance on the moor as III th'
| gallery, and having been appealou 10 py seNe
| raj gen ntlemen to withdraw the order, he tooF
pleasure in doing SO; but cautioned the spec
tators to refrain from such demohstraloh'
hereafter.
Mr. BALDWIN then took the floor After {
brief allusion TO the sentiments uttered so eio
quently by the gentleman from Albenarie
, which had moved the hearts ol tie mutt ituue Ii
he said he recognized this assemblse OF If
ginians called to deliberate upon measures u
secure the rights of the Commonwealth, a
an august assemblase, and he most earnes u.
| ioined in the prayer "f for light tnat nau peel
| so deyoutly uttered. He claimed for the coun
ty which he represen ted the right to be hear
e | in this assemblage of Eirginians. lie did no
q claim it because of the historic associations !
t | which the entleman from AlDenarle hiu III
| Iuded but claimed il for the people OF Inc couh
d | ty of Augusta as a living. acting body oIdnen
That county he might term the queen couht l.
: of the Commonwealth. In point OF popuEs
y ton wealth. position, variety OF production
e and pursuits, and in every particular, sh
# claimed the con sideration of this Convention
b She was identified with every interest OF I'd
| nan. ,.ra1l
: of opinion or prejudice in one quarter or an
If other, Augusta county knew nothing OF thell
g She occupies Il central position, ana Is co.
e cerned in every question that anects III
n rights and interest Is OF the Commonwealth =
= What, he asked, is the great question Whlc
it concerns us here, and threatens to overtur
l. the mighty fabric of a free government ID
d wished to discuss the question as bearll
IT upon Yirginia's rights and Firginia's honor
n and from that standpoint ne could see p'
y one single complaint so TAR as sne was COZ
II ! cerned and that was the course OF the n Nor'
l. upon the question of African slavery. frol
e the earliest foundation of the Governmen
re Virginia had given direction to its pollcy al
10 when it has not been in the hands OF her oW
d | sons il has been in the hands of those OF NJ
[e choice supported and ratified by her peopl
" This was not only true in regard TO the Exec
m utive, but she has had controlling voice
IA all the other departments OF Government
in In all this he saw enough to show that II
g Government had been administered 10 III
IN satisfaction, and therefore the only cause
IN question This had been discussed by ab
10 and elouuent gentleman ON this floor, ana
IN asked ii any man had hearo reference
- other grounds of complaint. he understo'
gentlemen to acquiesce IN this Ihus we na
hi II confessed that i'll all else that concerns u
h. great interests of thirty millions OF peopi
a the Government had been admins tered 10 u
" satisfac tion of Virginia. He could not p
d. out of mind the Apprehension that on u
IN great ques ton Virginia was diNioeo the
n, prehension that there were some people
ne ihis State, and some on this moor, WI
X, were not to be trusted inns was
ne new to him-he had heard II lor year
sy not from abroad, but the charge car
Id mn from the midst of our own family
" He had seen it resorted to for the baser en-
r. of party--not only one party, but al. II N
Id the effect of bounding on fanatlcls1n again
ey us in tire councils of the nation under imprt
pm siops dissemina ted by our own citizens
ck impression that the people OF Virginia we
at not true to Virginia, but were divided a.
he distracted in regard to her highest interests
be 1t would seem as if this were resorted 10 nc
as as a species of terrorism, directed at the repi
es | sentatives of the people Of Virginia, IN
e. vain hope of repressing, if not the freedom
as thought, the freedom of speech. lie trust
a | that in defining his position, he should
of defer in any respect to 4 ciamor which ne G
te spised He hoped to show, with candor,
IL which particular light he viewed what "
ps for the honor and interest OF Virginia
on He had always held the opinion-iand II
to never had to undergo change such as II
he heen described by the gentleman from Oranl
at and had aot therefore, perhaps, the Ire
nj zeal of new convert-that African slave
nd was right; a right thing and good thlng,
If every ground, morally, relIgiously, poitlca
N and economically--a blessing alike 10
~. slave and to the STAKEHOLDER. He was not Q
he | of those who looked forward to It's exuhctie
, nor did he look with sympathy upon any
he tenn ut To restrict it to particular iocauty