Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-03-15
Virglnin Convention.
RICHMOND. Va. March q

The majority report re-af6rms the doctrine
Of States rights, and declares interference
with slavery by the Federal or other author
tiles or the people, contrary to the Oonstitu.
ton, offensive and dangerous; condemns
the formation of geographical or sectional
parties; demands q fair partition of the ter
ritories, and equal protection therein de-
clares it is unwise, impolitic and offensive,
to concentrate within the limits of States in
terested in the irritating pending questions
an unusual number Of troops and munitions
of war !; INDUCES in the hope of restora-
ton of the Union and fraternal feelings;
recommends the repeal of unconstitutional
legislation, and the adoption of proper
amendments to the Constitution; comedies
the right of States to withdraw for Just
causes; alludes to the position of the Fed
eral Government, and claims that the Con-
stitution recognizes withdrawal. Without
expressing an opinion on the question of
power, it desires to deal peaceably with the
question involved, and if necessary, recog-
nize the separate independence of seeding
States, making treaties, and passing such
laws as reparation makes proper.
The majority report recommends tho peo-
pie Of her sister States to respond at their
earliest convenience to its positions, and all
amendments to tire Constitution to be pro-
posed hereafter. In case she fails to obtain
satisfactory responses from the slave-holding
States, she feels compelled to resume sover-
eign powers and throw herself on her re.
served rights 1t is made an indispensable
condition that pacific policy be adopted
towards the seeding States, that no attempt
be made to reinforce or recapture the forts,
or exact payment of imports on commerce, OF
any measure calculated to provoke hostili.
ties. That Virginia will regard any hostile
action by other side as hurtfnl and unfriend.
~, and as leaving Virginia free to determine
} her future policy.
, The report recommends conference oil
, the Border States. at Frankfort, Kentucky
on the last Monday ia May.
the foregoing will probably not fully NEE
, the approval OF the Union members because
J it apparently recognizes the legal right o.
, secession.
, RICHMOND, March IL.
In Convention, to-day, Mr.. Somers made
a strong speech of three hours, advocating
the Peace propositions. He urged sucf
. action as would meet the views of the whole
State. and showed the folly of passing
secession ordinance for reference to thu
t people, as it would divide them. He sale
that Virginia ought to command peace OF
all sides, then call Border Conference
with peace propositions as basis of adjust
/. ment-the Conference to adjourn afterward
to await the result. He expressed full con
fdence of eventual restoration
Mr.. Tyler will reply tomorrow.
RICHMOND, March 49,
Mr.. Somers' speech, yesterday, was tn
ablest of the session, and produced goot
effect. The Unionists consider his argument
unanswerable.
There is but little doubt that the Borde
State Conference propositions will be adopt
: ed, but that the Peace propositions will b
taken as basis of adjustment is doubtful
Some Secessionists admit the impossibilit,
: of adopting an ordinance Of secession, bu
soy that Virginia will ultimately secede, un
q less her demands are granted.