Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-16
The Virginia State Convention.
TWENTY SITTH DA J.
EprnIy h|.vcU 18th lSG

tons thereto annexed, adopted at meeting
of the citizens OF my county on Monday last
Preamble and RESOLUTIONS, adopted nnGh'.
nonsly by meeting 81 tile citizens u
Northampton County, March II, 1861.
Whereas, the Convention representing the
sovereignty OF the State Of Virginia, has now
been in session in the city OF Richmond about
four weeks, without any apparent approIma-
ton TO the purposes for which it was convened:
And whereas, the expense and uncertainty
growing out of such ;sac.iun, is greatly in
furious TO the business interests OF the people
Of this county, az we'll as to those Of all other
parts of the State;
And whereas the Peace Conference, for
whose action it was first declared It waited, has
adjourned; and Congress. for whose action the
majority Of the Convention next demanded
delay, has also adjourned; and as tue
inaugural address e Mr.. Lincoln has now been
before the country for week;
And VIII ress neither the action OF the Peace
Conference, nor that of Congress- nor the in
augura address, is Of such i character as t"
justify longer delay;
Therefore, Resolved, 10y the people OF North.
ampton in public meeting assembled,
lSt That the Convention Of Virginia should
at once proceed 10 take Cncial and decisive
steps to preserve the honor, the rights and the
interests of the Stale.
2nd. Resolved, That every passing day rem
ders it more certain that Immediate secession
and union with our sister States Of the South
present the only means by which our indepen-
dence, equality and safety can be maintained.
3rd. Resolved, as the deliberate opinion of
this meeting That the meaning Of the term
coercion" is as we'll settled to all plain and
honest minds, as any other word in our Ian.
guage, and that when applied To the collection
of customs, or the execution Of any other law
within the limits Of the seeding States and
against their consent, by tho Black Republican
Government at Washington, it means ~ar, and
should at once be met and repealed as such, by
every slaveholding States.
4th. Resolved, That the Inaugural Address
Of Abraham Lincoln is L declaration Of war,
not only against our sister States Of the South,
bu. against the sovereignty OF the States ersry.
| uhers and our Convention should so treat il,
by placing the State in such posture ofmill-
tary preparation as will enable her to guard her
| honor and safety, and to maintain the vital
principle Of States Rights now sought TO be
destroyed by the centralized despotsrn ut
Washington.
9Th. Resolved, That We heartily endorse the
bold and manly course pursed by MIERs w.
FISHER, our delegate in TIE Convention, and
accord to him the well earned praise OF ''well
done, coed and faithful serYuuE"
9Th. Resolved, That we accord the need Of
our appreciation and admiration to our Senators
r. NJ. T.. Hunter and James n. Mason and to
N. r. II. Garnett, our Representative in the
lower House of Congress, for their prompt,
bold and able support Of the vital doctrines OF
Suite rights, and the lights Of the South, in the
trying circumstances in which they have been
placed and the attempt TO censure cur Sena-
| tors by the Convention in Richmond, because
they are true TO the honor, the rights ard the
interests Of their State, should lie denounced by
every lnun who is not Black Republican at
heart.
Eth. Resolved, That We hereby appeal to
the other Counties Of the State to express their
opinions upon the vital questions now engaging
the public mind with rs little delay rs posi-
bic.
Slh. Resolved, Thut the Secretary Of this
meeting is hereby directed TO send copy OF
these resolutions to N. ". Fisher, our delegate
to the Convention with q request that they be
laid before that body.
9th. Resolved, THAT these proceedings be
published III the Richmond and Norfolk pa
pers.
FREDERICK J. GoFfIGay, Chairman.
THOMAS 4. DowSS Secretary.
desire Mr. President, in presenting these
resolutions II this body, rs | ain requested to
do, TO submit few remarks before asking that
they may be referred 10 the Committee or!
Federal Relations.
But few weeks since, sir, there was small
division in my county Oh the subjects which
we are here considering. 4 fcw gentlemen OF
the first rcspecta bility und standing, with whom
have been associated lroul early life, but who
! could not yield to the position which assumed
in the canvass, in Monday last, Il, understand
from o gentleman now on this floor, gave i'll
their adhesion to that BODY who gave lur thu
commission TO represent them in this hall.
II is, sir, one Of the gratifying circumstances
Of my life, that on the occasion when was
before the people asking for their sunragcs, |
was not opposed by men simply for opposition
sake, but because they were not ready TO yield
to the position which | took i'll advance Of
them. And, now, sir, with a Iaegniulity, which
does honor to these gentleaon. they lave aban-
doned all opposition, and are row sustaining
me by their voice in public meeting assembled.
And, sir, it is beautiful commentary rs to
what should be course Of an individual
seeking for the suffrages Of tho people. lie
ought in my estimation, aud have ever en-.
tertained that opinion-exprcss his own scnLi-
ments boldly and learlcssly, and ask others to
come up and yield their support to him in his
efforts to save the country. Such has been
my course Of policy, and ! am proud to be
enabled to Say, that my appeal lnr sup
port in aid Of what | regard as the true
measures Of safety Tor Virginia, has been met
by a noble and generous response. look the
hold ground that the best measure oil safety
was the withdrawal Of Virginia from this de.
structive Union, and now my people, with one
voice, as you see, have taken the same position
l. took, it, sir, before the people, although was
told that it was inexpedient and that would
not probably be sustained |, however, had
thought otherwise, and wss not deceived in
that idcn. The people have nobly come up
They have shown themselves to he patriots By
changing when they found they were in error.
hope, sir, that the time will come. and that
rapidly, when the Convention now assembled
here, will come up to the position assumed by
my constituents, and reflect their Wishes
which, | believe, in my soul, will redounu to
the honor, the interests and the safety OF our
Commonwealth. 1t is wholly impossible that
in the present distracted md unsettled condi-
ton Of all the grca, interests Of the State agr-
cultural, manL featuring and commercial, that
the people of this Commonw ealth will submit
to be kept in the uncertain condition in which
they IRE now placed. The feverish state Of e1-
cicncnt of the public mind demands action,
which will result in the circulation Of the mo-
ney now held up under the apprehensions
growing out Of the existing state Of things
inparting energy and vitality to trade, and
opening Of its cannels for renewed and healthy
action.
With these remarks desire that the resolu
tons shall be referred to the Committee on Fed
cral Relations.
Defence OF THE STATE
Mr.. RICHARDSON, Of Hanover.-On yesterday,
-. a., Jooida1 70 tol q roco1,,