Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-02

or the adjournment Of this Convention, in
order that the House may test whether they
mean to stay here and proceed TO the arrange
ment Of the districts, or adjourn at an elrly
day.
Mr. HAYMoND.-l suppose the gentleman
is familiar with the language Of our State
Constitution. If you lock to it you will find
the words United States and "Union" in il
in various sections. and l desire st the proper
time 10 move to recommt the report made hero
by the Committee on the amendment of the
Constitution, with instructions simply to re-
porta Constitution for Virginia conforming to
inc "Conicdcrate States" instead of the "Unittd
States"
Gentlemen hsve certainly not reflected upon
that subject We are to have Legislature
here after we adjourn, and our Constitution
requires the members to be sworn to support
our Constitution and the Constitution OF
the United States. How are we to get
along unless we change the Constitution in
| this respect For myself fail utterly TO sec
the wisdom of this Convention adjourning
With our Constitution as it is, and leaving the
Affairs Of the State to the Legislature to come
here. am content to take the present Con-
stisulion so far ss am concerned, although
have many objections to it. | believe now
that the revision OF the Constitution will divide
our loyal people. and all We need do for the
present will be II conform our Constitution to
the Confederate States
Mr.. uAEyiE--The object Of my motion is
to fix q certain day whea we shall adjourn
The House can fix day to do what the gen
;lemaa from Marion (Nr HAYMoSD) proposes
ode.
Mr. SrEEp.-I understand the gentleman to
say that his object in taking up the resolution
is to fix some DAY when the Convention shall
adjourn.
shall vote against the proposition for
the reason that think We are not prepared
Al this time to pass upon this matter.
| Mr.. HAGvIr.-I ask the yeas and nays
upon the motion to take up the resolution.
The call was suStail!e1.
Mr. HoLcoMBE.-l think Il test vote could
not be taken upon this proposition iii the foIm
it nov stands.
If the gentleman will introduce u resolution
that il is inexpedent for the Convention to
take into consideration any change in the Con.
stitution ut this time" it will be a test Of the
question, as to whether We shall SO into con-
sideration Of this question.
l am decidedly in favor Of going into the
question myself, while am also favorable to
making a test question upon the matter.
Mr.. HALL, Of Peasants and Ritchic.-l hope
the Convention will not 20 into consideration
Of the question Of amending the State Consti-
tuition ut this time Ny section Of the coun
try is without representative, for out Of somo
thirty representatives from thirty or forty
counties in the Northwest, there are present at
this time but about four. Ii you attempt to
let the Northwest go, and frame your constitu
tlonal cnactments without regard 10 that sec
ticn, this is the proper time to do SO. am
opposed utterly, for the reason just stated
namely, our small representation hereto
taking up the Constitution and altering it at
J this time; and as regards the fixing day for
| adjournment at this time, | am also opposed
10 that
The following is the resolution which Mr..
uARvIE moved 10 call up:
"Resolved, That when this Convention ad-
journs or the 2l.h inst, it will adjourn sine
de-"
A. the suggestion of Mr. SnErrEY, Mr.. HAE-
VIE withdrew his motion to take up, in order
to enable Mr.. SnErFgY to offer the following
resolution, by way Of testing the sense Of the
House:
| Resolved, That it is ineXpedent now to 60
into the consideration of amendments Of the
Constitution Of the State, further than to con,
form it to the Confederate States instead OF
the United States.
Mr.. KINDRED would suggest the substi.
tuition of toe words "at this session of the
Convention" for the word "cow."
Mr. SHEFrEY agreed to the alteration.
Mr.. SHcFFEY.-lt may be that the present
Constitution Of Virginia requires reform; but
| am opposed for one to entering upon any re.
forms cf the Constitution Of Virginia now by
| Hnprn,tinp hon fo m
the Confederate States Of America
The great object which assembled this Con-
ventiou together was the separation OF the
State Of Virginia from the late United States
of America That object has:ocen accomplish.
ed That was the only question debated be
fore the people Of my region Of the State, and
so E.r as know, no question of constitution
al rcforui was considered BY the people, nor
was it expected by them that this Convention
should enter at lGrge into reforms during the
present session further than to consider their
connection with the United States, and to sever
that connection. That purpose has been ac-
colapiishcd, and think that this body is now
junctus oIlicio that it has performed the Office
for which it was assembled. know that in
law which authorized the convening Of this
body, it is indicated that there may be organic
reforms Or changes Of the Constitution; but
it vas a subject Thslly omitted in the conside-
ration Of the question before the people,
what reforms shall be made in this CoHstitI.
! ton 7" And think, sir, that it would be
unwise and inegpcdient now for this Convcn
ton to enter upon those reforms WHICH are
| proposed to be made, in the exercise OF the
right Of suffrage by tho people, in the election
OF officers By the people, and in tho cons;itu
tion Of the County Courts say that this Is
time now tor your people to be united; this
is time fur your people TO be held together
without division, and tyou euter upon changes
which would diSIrauchise the people OF any Of
their rights, you engender division and discord
among them. Care, then, ough. to De taken
to maintain perfect harmony
| It has been suggested that there should DC
no adjourned session Of this Convention.
am opposed to that suggestion also. II Tc ad-
journ very smali expense will be incurred to
the State by tha: policy; and do not
think that any body can assemble here
for tie purpoEe of entering into radical changes
OF the Constitution. the etfAos OF shicn' at /"
time when there ought to bo union and har-
roay would produce very little slec than dis
cord and disuaon.
| rcpcat, there fore, that this resolution, dc
claring it inexpedent to 30 into reforms of the
Constitution at this session, ought to be adopt
ed Moreover, 10 member has received IN
s,ruc:ions from his constituents, as to tho re.
forms which would suit them Further devel-
opmen;s may be made, going to show what
changes are necessary, but do not considerin
any event that was cent here to carry out
my individual views upon subjects, in reference
to which had received no instructions from
my people. So far as know, they have ex.
pressed in no form their wishes in regard to
the changes which they desire to be made
Changes may be necessary, but if so, let them
elect delegates ufrcsh, and indicate by their
votes what changes they desire should be made.
venture the assertion, that if this Convention
undertakes the disrranchisement of the people,