Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1861-02-28
VIRGINIA CoNvENrSoN.


VIRGINIA CoNvENTloN.
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h. WOOD, a. Barbs.r.
Wstsst. wise, wilisy. Chanhlias a,d Branch.
In he Coaveasioa. Saturday. psrsoeai expia-
na6ons were made By Aessn. Hall. q weasel.
and Cie~cns. Mr.. Montasse sdsr,d rsss,ssioe.
which wss adopted, r~quessi.g railruad eo.-
panies TO report TO ths Coaveatioa. - early a
practicable. the number Of negroes carried over
their roads, en- route for any southern Slater,
within the ycars ls5s and 1861. Inclusive. Mr..
Trdway, Of Pitssylvaaia, called up his resolu-
ton, which was laid on the table On wedee,drv
week, Coz tie appointment Of select committee
10 enquire and report ~ spcedily ~ possible a
TO vh-tb<r any movement of arms or men have
been made BY the General Government 10 .pv
fort or arssnal in or bordering .pou Virginia.
indicating preparation for attack or coercion.
Mr.. Barbour Of Jefferson, regretted tina, ri,
absence should have caused such . resolution
10 be laid upon the table. for il met his eorlial
appreciation Occupying - he did the position
OF superintendent OF the arsenal at Harper's
Ferry he was anxious that the people should
have All The information il was possible to oh.
tain. relative to movements NJ that place He
would inform them that every soldier and every
p'ece OF ammunition sent there we sent a, HI.
segregation An investigation of tha, matter
would prove subject Of interest to the people
I Of Virginia.
Mr.. Bors,, Of Page, advocated the resolution.
His people were opposed to coercion and to The
rsinforcemsnt and arn,ing Of the fort. in order
that II Virginia should deem IL right and proper
! 70 pass IN ordinance OF secc.sion. The General
Government would be in = posi,ioa 10 coercs her.
They were in favor Of . Union that would 49,
cure the equality Of all the States. Their vocr
would ever be heard to pray for the Union. such
." their fathers established. but they were CD
posed TO Union which did no, furnish eousl
protection to ALL He hoped the resolution
would pass.
Mr.. Barbour said be had no disposition to
inquire In the local papers at home. aad did not
propose to discuss the great subjec, Of Union on
such resolution m this. He would say. how
ever. that Virginia WAS in an unfortunate con-
ditiou u abe was afraid Of City bue-eo men.
In further remarks, he said that those Who
we're the last to go out Of the Union would be
the hrs, to fight. He wanted TO stay in the Union
OF terms Satisfactory 90 all our people but II
such terms could not be obtained, then 20 out.
II Nirginir did leave tho Union, no eonsidera.
ton that could be presented TO her brave people
would bring her back.
Mr. Enrl, Of
position OF ><Ac gentleman, rs An officer Of the
Federal Government. but could see no necessity
Tor the adoption Of the resolution. lie then al.
iuded to the rumored proceeding at Fort~..
Monroe, and went on to show that the same state
OF things had existed there for years. In
the progress Of his remarks he desired TO do nm
Act OF justice TO his old companions in Arms,
Captain Dyer. the Commandment Of Artillery n,
Fortres. Monroe. and to Major Anderson, the
commander At Fort Sumter.
The President thought the line Of remark did
not pertain TO the subject under consideration.
BY general consent. Mr.. Early was allowed
to proceed In Andersons veins ran the blood
u the AArshalls. and both of the officers named
s~ere true and loyal sons OF the South II duty
required them TO point their guns at their own
eoontrymen, every hot would wiring thsir hearts;
but they would do their duty to the last
Mr. Barbour, Of Culpeper. made statement
n an act Of justice to the superintendent of the
Arsenal ai Harpcrss Ferry, showing that IL
was under his advice that the communication
relative TO The proceedings at Barpers Ferry
was made TO the Executive At Washington.
Mr.. Treadway said that tho resolution was
not dictated by any want Of confidence in the
gentleman from Jefferson a. superintendent Of
the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry. He believed
the result would place him in the position winch
be never doubted he occupied, Of true and loy.
nj 'irg'nian- He was glad TO have the infor.
nation already drawn out. from the gentleman
from Franklin, that the forts were comma nd.d
by men Who would never do aught agains, the
honor Of the South.
Mr.. jackson, Of Wood. thought. the Convsp-
ton was taking an improper course In regard To
the proPosedA investigation. The proper mode
would be fof the Executive Of The Common
wealth to >@btain the desired information bv
making respectful eommun;ea alton to the Pres
idsnt Of the United States The course pro-
posed by the resolution indicated an Indefinite
Prolongation Of the session. He moved TO Law
it on the table but withdrew the motion a, The
request Of
Mr. Barbour, Of Jehsrsoa, who said tia. III.
debate had taken such = course tha. he hoped
The investgation would be made. lie knew
nssghi Of The proceedings ., Fortress Monroe,
eu, the force n, Harpers Ferry ~ss zen. q, his
Suggestion, Asd that eoosideratiOn took the
poison iren The Executive bead.
Mr. Carlisle gave the reasons Why be opposed
ths resolution. II be could reconcile /, 90 a
senss Of duty, he woald oblige his ff1snd from
Jefferson and vote for IL But Virginia vas
snli part and parcel Of TIE FEDERAL Govern
meH' and - = unconstitutional man he preferred q
constitutional mode 81 making the inyes,iea.
lion. l'sbOuld be made by the representative
Of the State At Washington. lie moved An IN.
definite PosipoDepsut Of tbsresoIution. a.d call.
ed for the yeas and nays in order that he mish,