Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-13

would give way.
The PREslpgSr.-The geatlemau from usr.
rison has already occupied his ten minutes.
Mr.. CARLlLE-I hope will be allowed one
moment to finish what was about to say.
The PREsIDENT-If there is no objection the
gentleman can proceed.
Mr.. CANLILE--In Illustration Of the point 10
which was directing the attention OF the Con.
veaton, desire 10 Gull the attention of tho
members Of this body for one moment to the
remarks which We're made upon this subject by
the gentleman from Princess Anne. lie told
you that the retention Of the Tortugss and
those other forts which are necessary to pro.
tcct the commerce Of Virginia, and of the whole
country, would, In his view, be aggressive and
coercive. Sir, so long rs | remain citzeu OF
the United States, shall never consent 10 tho
abandonment Of any iortiGcltions which u7e
necessary to protect the commerce Of the peo.
Pie Of Virginia and the commerce Of the Union
in which We remain.
Mr.. MAcrARLAXp, Of Richiuond-I should
no. have Touturcd Mr. President, to express
opinions upon the question now before US, but
Tor what was said by the gentleman who has
just taken his Seat. That gentleman vcutureJ
the opinion that the derangcd condition OF the
trade, and business OF the country, IS the re-
suit OF the secession movement of the South
wholly unaffected by the course or policy ol
the Administration. There is no opinion more
mistaken or erroneous.
1t is true the disruption did operate adverse
ly upon business and pursuits. reduced prices,
suspended confidence, and led 70 great sacri
fees; yet, had the country liceu assured of a
peaceful policy Oh the part ot the Government,
trade and Industry, at this early day, would
haze, III The ,naiu, recovered their activity. II
is characteristic Of our people, and denotes
their energy and resources, that be the depreS-
sion Of all unexpected disaster what ii inny, it
requires but q short period for them 10 regain
taalr confidence aud repair the waste. azard
nothing in saying, that, by this time, II the
policy OF the Administration had been stable
and a7cwed, and the fear OF commotlon aud
war been dismissed, confidence would have
taken the place Of uueasiness aud distrust, and
industry and enterprise been in Inc enjoyment
o;' their rewards. Il is Important therefore,
with reference to its Commercial effects, that
the course OF the Administration should be- de-
ciared
But, fear al importance is attached to
this resolution to which it is not entitled. AS.
su;ning that tue administration entertains pur-
u
;heY Cannot b. long hid or concealed. Prepa.
rAtions for war do not admit Of being covered
up or disguised; nor ~onld there Seem to be
ANY adequate or just motive Tor cynceaiment,
if the President medicaiad VET. lie may be,
aud probably is, wiihou, any definite plan, on.
! ly waiting upon events anu expecting relief
lrcu some fortunate conjuncture. Win sn
humble csr.uat: VI his st.tesnansEip, and that
! vi his Cabinet, | l!gnt suSScs. it as probable
! that be na5 not any settled views IN reSpect
! 70 the course he will pursue. de may con-
,e,np plate devovlus the decision upon Congress,
| q; a called, or 1t the regular session. For my.
self do not expect any specific or valuable
disclosure from the proposed mission 10 W aSii'
! inSton, yet | ain So sensible, from my Comet
ton with the general business Of this city, OF
the Importance Of disaousing the public mind
) Of the apprehension OF war, that am in favor
| Of any talr means of gaining information from
:he Executive desire, therefore, that the re
solution may be adopted, for which there i:
! good reason lnihe time re have been engHseu
about il If the mission accomplish nothing
i: cInuot eventua.e 10 EVIL.
! the lntlmalion that the committee may make
aa Unfair report is both unjust and chiueTictl.
Should the President aouse the grave occasion
! by iuduging ia .vasiyo aud eracIar responses
! rhs aiscr.dlc will be all h's own, whi!st on1
,,,.,tlon viii be- unchanged. The jud smcnt O
! t;,is podY is .ac too enlightened and well ba
lirced to be betrayed Or disturbed oY reports
from Washington.
The proposed application to the President i:
proper anu bccouiEg, aiid Is authorized by the
highest sanctions. II Easiand, II isa f.lu!iia'
resort, when the business OF commerce O
the Kingdom is threeiered by acts OF State, fo'
merchants and Others TO appoint committees Il
| sa;t upon tho ministry, to TemonS!ratc asalns
the proposed uua$ufe. And, 10 thcir credit
be il said tie Innls.sy haUiiuaiiy receive sucl
delegations win courtesy, and respond 70 tnen
win irsnkaess In whatever other PARTICULAR
the President may be Indifferent or unconcern'
ed about toe puti!c uneaslneSs ana anxiety, II
| would, if may So say, betray an ignorance ano
| obtuseness, uaexampled and snameiess, to re-
fuse 70 coInmtles from this body respect
full and candid audience.
Mr.. SnErYEY-I think, Mr.. President that
tbs question which We are now debating Is one
,s no ordinary interest, one which demands
calm and disusssionate consideration. The spirit
of oar institutions invest the functionares o.
Government with no such ranctty rs renders
tnem uoapPtoa-o"''- s ~ fof
TO the States.
Weare assembled here. sir, representing the
peoule of Virginia. We have shadowed lor:'
N the action Of this Convention, policy look
ins. to peace, 10 reconstruction and TO the resto
ration Of the whole Union. Yet, pending thai
policy, pending that course we have borne &c
US. by every mail, communications, 10 ~nicI
we cannot close our eyes, showing that ther;
| is a varlike policy prevailing IN the Genera
| Government Now, sir, this policy concerns
us. 1t matters not whether that WE: o'
against foregn foe or against members ol oui
own community, we have right 70 KNOW
being part oi that great COMMUNITY o'e'
ghicn Mr. Lincoln presdes as President
what these preparations for war mean Ii
| :, a foreign war, We are Involved in It, Tor w
s,,jl remain par. aud parcel OF this union
Onr institutions are affected by it our trea
aure is to be expended in il, our blood II 10 u
ehad in il our commerce and our institutions
are to be deeply affected by it. We LOOK 70 tn'
constitution to SEQ what power there IS 20 III
volve the conalry in war, aud we ascertain
that that power exists iii Congress aiono
p,, .ir va have heard OF no declarat'o'
Of war against anybody, and yet w
see 4aTIiks preparations and ~ariike D'o'e
mcats Il! ovor tho country. What ooes
Ill 1his mean: Have net we, sitting ne'e III ant
dsliberating as we are aboG: the course sir
a;nia is to vursue, the right 10 knox from tht
SSrcs;dent re Eng United States whether III
no,icv i, nsace OF war? Mr.. President, there
n.u heen I'm oninou., gn:i, To my minn, a~ie
| silence in the North and in the functloIarles
rhe Government ut Washington. we ha's
:ao :, sc.s,n now for two months, and ye'
no voice from tue North, DO commissioner:
from, the North o. from any portion oi II ha''
come to tell us that the pacific Pohcy 'oTcs''a
dowed by the action Of this Convention niese
or has awakened any acuon, any syu'pdt1'y VI
any responsive chord IN the -Sor!nclh in'.iu "
heart On the contrary, ,wrapt III silence, IN risla
ir. gid dignity, she stands with an eye sseat,i.
axed unon the devoted South, immoSao'e