Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-19

sideration Of that great, comprehensive
question with the question Of taxation, or with
any other local questions calculated to excite
local prcjudces What good can be produced:
What harm will not be produced, if we should
allow ourselves to 10 drawn Off into the con-
sideration of other subjects than the great
question? How can the rights and the dignity
of the occasion be maintained, and how shall
we do Justice to the great and solitary ques-
ton which we were called here to consider?
|, therefore. protest against any attempts on
the part Of gentlemen from any part of the
State to excite local prejndices, and to compll-
cate and cmbarrass the consideration of the
first great question which we have TO consider.
We have now from the lips Of the gentle
man from Northampton (Mr. FlsuER) propo-
sition made upon this floor. to the West, that,
if they will disrupt this Government, they call
have their own terms of taxation had heard
rumors to this effect before, that such propo
sition was entertained, but thought it I'M
founded; but hear the proposition from the
gentleman himself made to the gentleman from
Preston, that if they will come over and dis
rupt the ties which bind US to our Union and
the Constitution, then they can have their own
terms upon the subject of taxation.
Mr.. rr.-The gentleman from Notit-
ampton made the statement he did upon his
own responsibility. | make this statement be-
cause the gentleman is absent.
Mr. JouNsoN.-But was correct in saying
that he made. the proposition this morning
And::he had the temerity, ut the same time, 10
say that lie did it without consultation with
his own constituents. | trust in God that he
will not he sustained by his constituents upon
that reckless proposition, but that he will stand
solitary and alone. 1t does seem to me, there
fore, that VIC are not meeting this question
as we should do. Gentlemen from tue East
and from the West, whatever may be their
local interest or their opinions upon the qucs-
ton Of taxation, should lay aside all petty
considerations. for regard the subject of
taxation in the present crisis as no
more than the smallest particle Of at
tcnuated matter that floats in space,
of universal creation shall with pleasure
vote for laying the resolution on the table, no.
ping that the gentlemen from the West will
see that it is an inapportune occasion to press
the consideration Of the taxation question and
that the eilect OF it Gun only 10 to embarrass
the consideration Of the great question which
We ARE here to consider.
Mr.. WOODS addressed the Convention at
some length upon the same subject, but the
hour Of half past twelve haTing arrived before
he had concluded his REMARKS
The speech will bc gwen entire, when
finished.
Mr.. DuRMAN moved that the farther eSecu.
ton Of the order he suspended.
Mr.. JAcHsoN.-I trust that my friend will
not insist upon his motion now. This subject
is to be ventilated for 4 longer time than the
Convention would now he willing to accord.
and it would therefore be more agreeable,
have no dJubt, to the friends Of the resolutions,
that their consideration would no longer be
proceeded with for the present.
Mr.. DOMAIN withdraw my motion.
The President. Before vacating the chair
beg leave TO lay before the Convention
communication that have received from the
Hon. VIM. Mitchell, f. f. Chambers, Vim.
Henry Norris, Isaac b. Jones and j. Hanson
Thomas, citizens Of the State Of MarYlan
Committee lately appointed by a Convention
held in that Commonwealth, with request
that it be laid before this body
The communication was then read as follows:
To the Honorable, Tie President Of tie
Convention Of Ike People If Virginia =,
The undersigned, citizens CT Maryland, have
lccn appointed Committee on behalf of n
of the citizens of the city of Baltimore, md ot
nearly Ill the counties OF Maryland, to commu
nic;lte with the Convention over which you
preside in reference to L matter in which they
deem themselves deeply concerned, and which
is now occupying the attention Of your body.
1t is upon the subject Of the proposed comic.
renee with the Southern border States
IL is especially to be- understood, that in
anything we may say, there must be no inle-
renee that this particular measure, or any
other is, in our judgment, Ut in the opinion Of
those persons whom we represent, to be- pre-
fcrrcd. We entirely disclailn every purpose
even to suggest what would he the judgment
Of our con stituents, did the OCCASION make it
proper to express it. Our design is solely to
lnTlte the attention Of the Convention to the
IMPORTANCE Of ono particular consideration, il
and when tho proposed conference shall be
found acceptable to your Convention. In that
event. believing las those whom we represent
have instructed Us to say, they do belleve,)
that the people Of Maryland will accept such
an invitation, it becoGirs, as we respectfully
suggest, Q matter Of equal interest to each and
all of the Southern border States to secure, Us
far Us it may be done, full, fair IND accurate
expression of the popular will, in such iorlh as
to leave nu doubt either Of its character, or Of
the authority Of those who may DC selected as
its agents and representatives..
The proposition before your body requires
the delegates to the Conference to be selected
by the proper authorities of those States.
If any existing organized department Of the
government OF Maryland should attempt the
selection Of delegates 10 such Convention as
is proposed, it would undoubtedly De resisted by
the people, and in that event. conflicting claim.
ants would present themselves as rightlul OK
poncnts Of the popular sentiments duly CHI
titled to be receivable rs such.
Our sole object is to avoid, by the terms Of
the invitation, all OCCASION for sucn co lision;
and with this view, we respectfully suggest
such an alteration in the language of your re-
solution, rs will express its object to be- that
delegates to the proposed Convention shnl he
elected either directly by the people, or
Through the agency of 4 sovereign State Con-
yention.
In the hope and expectation, that his request
viii be favorably considered by your Cohvcn-
ton,
We have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obed't sery'ls,
n MITCHELL,
Z. f. CHAMBERS,
WM Henry NORRIS
Isaac D. JONES,
j. HANSON Thomas.
Dir. FIsuER-I move that the communication
be laid upon the table and printed.
Mr.. MooKE, of Rocibridg gel hope that it
will not bc printed. think NC have been an
noycA enough already with county meetings
and speeches in our own State but when gen
tlenen COME here from another State, author
lied by, I don't know whom, not by the au-
thcrity Of the State, ut least, 10 suggest what
we ought to do or not dv, think We ought
not to give so much respect to their communi-
cation as to print it
Mr.. R. Y. Conrad am sorry differ with
thy friend FROM Rockbridge (Mr. MooEr) !