Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-03-26
VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION.

In the Convention on Saturday, Mr.. Con-
rad offered the following resolution, which
was adopted under the operation OF the pre-
vious question moved by Mr.. Price:
Resolved That on and after Monday
next, and until further ordered, this Conven-
ton shall be called to order at 10 O'clock A.
NJ: at half past ten shall resolve itself into
Committee Of the Whole upon the reports
from the Committee on Federal Relations at
2 O'Clock said Committee of the Whole shall
take recess until 4 O'Clock, when it shall re-
sumo Its session.
Mr.. Morton presented the proceedings Of 3
meeting held iii the county Of Greene, and
stated there were only four persons in the
county in favor of the present Union.
Mr.. Marye presented IL similar report Of
meeting held III the county Of Spottsylvaua.
The reports were referred to the Committee
on Federal Relations
The resolutions Of Mr.. Wiley were fur
Their discussed by Mr.. Hall, of Marion.
Mr. Shetfey read u resolution which he de-
sgued To submit az substitute, postponIng
the consideration of the question of taxation
until the subject of Federal Relations is dis
posed Of
Committee of the Whole and.
Mr.. Baldwin of Augusta, being entitled
to the floor, resumed his argument in favor
of an adjustment of the national difficulties
within the Union. He exponnded at some
length the propositions of the Peace Con-
ference as amended by the Committee ON
Federal Relations and argued that the plan
of adjustment would more eifectually secure
the rights of the South than that proposed
by Mr.. Crittenden. lie also controyerted
the financial argument in favor of the Union
of Virginia with the Southern Confederacy,
by showing that the agricultural products of
Virginia would be subject To a duty when
carried into the Northern States, the people
of which are our largest customers; while 10y
remaining in the Union, we could avoid the
impost on either side, as the people OF the
Confederate States would not impose Il tax
upon their own bread and meat
In regard to the manufacturing interests
Of the State Mr.. B. said the Constitution of
the Confederate States prohibited q protec
tive tariff, and whilst the manufacturers Of
Virginia ght by uniting with the Conteder-
ate States enjoy an incidental protection from
the competition Of Northern manufactures,
GHSy NUulQ NC ONCl Will
manufactures imported under a low tariff;
and experience has demonstrated that North
ern manufacturers with all their advantages
of capital and machinery are unable to pros
per under low tariff. But surprising it
would prove otherwise, he did not desire Viz
ginia to become a large manufacturing State
or the people of the State OF Virginia to be-
come the yankees" OF the South. lie pre-
ferred that we should continue to devote our
attention chiefly to the pursuits of agrlcul-
ture and commerce.
Mr.. B. closed his remarks with an earnest
expression of his devotion tn the Union and
Virginia.
Mr.. Bruce, of Halifax, then took the floor,
and addressed the committee. lie SAID IN
the course Of his remarks that he told his
people when brought before them as candl-
date for the Convention that be would wait
for the Peace Conference, and for the lnaug-
ural and the policy indicated by that lnausu-
raj His hope of the future had almost
turned To black dispair. lie was willing to
make one more effort, and 1t shall be III the
form of an WttmatHm put forth by Virginia
in her sovereign capacity. Before conclu'
ding his remarks, he yielded for a motion Tor
the committee to rise which was submitted
by Mr.. Morton, and agreed to.
Mr. Barbour presented q report OF tile
proceedings of i meeting held in Culpeper
county, in favor Of Secession, which was read,
and on his motion, laid upon the table.
Mr. Dornan submitted the following RESP
lutionS, which, Oh motion Of Nlr. Brown,
were laid upon the table.
Resolved That this Convention recommend
to the General Assembly the passage OF Il
law imposing a licence tax on the sale by re-
tail, within Virginia, Of the products OF mail
ufactures Of such Northern States as continue
to retain offensive acts Of the character
known as ''PerSonal Liberty Bills amongst
their statues, guarding against any Infringe
ment of the provisions Of the Federal Con-
sttution.
Resolved That the President Of the Con
vention cause copies of the foregoing resoo-
ton to be communicated forthwith 20 the two
Houses Of the General Assembly.