Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-26
The Virginia State Convention.
SEVENTH DAY
WEDNESDAY, FEntuAKy 90, 1891.
UrferrcG Pr0crsllinla

" EnNESDaf IEHRCARl
Deferred Proceedings.
! Mir. BEANcu-I havo budget Of papers in
! my hand, sir, containing resolutions which
propose 10 rclcr to the committee on Federal
Relations do not know that there is wisdom,
in much talking and much writing, but mean
to say that have done the best could in pre-
pairing my resolutions. have seen so many
different resolutions presented before this boly
hardly any tending 10 any one posnt-that
| have determined 10 present mine. take oc
caSion 10 say that there sccInS to be great VA
ricty OF opinions here, all tending to save inc
honor Of Virginia class mine among that
number, and | trust that that is the opinion!
and object Of every other member of this Con-
vcntiun. But, sir, as mentioned at an early
Stage Of this Convention that was travelling
in slow coach, beg to say that although the
clouds ara very por.cntous at tho North, yet,
sir. | see no reason why Should hasten my
gail. Home is not on frc, az expressed by the
honorable gentleman from Princess Anne. We
arc l5l Roman Senators, delegated to this Cap.
itol this day, and we mean 10 stand here upon
the watch tower, 10 protect Rome Virginia is
the Rome Of America. But, sir, to the point;
(Laughter) | say that have seen
nothing yet to please me. | am not a politician,
and as nave just entered into public life, as
sud, have for the present 10 cut my own
road. belong to no clique, 10 political class
oi politicians. would save the Union; | am
u man who thinks for himself and Judges &C.
cording to the evidence presented before him.
| confess was somewhat surprised, on read.
ing the Enquirer this morning. to see that
some great body Of troops was coming down
from Massachusetts, to Richmond. Well, let
them come; | am not afraid Of them; J Al,
too old to be frightened. offer my resolutions
because it is said that in 4 multitude OF coun-
cilIors there is strength. do not say that NY
resolutions arc perfect, either in grammar or
substance but apprehend there may be 4
spark of llle in them which the wisdom OF
twenty.one may take hold Of and incorporate
into the resolutions they may report shall
give due consideration to lhe remarks Of the
great meu in this SanhcdriIn. / shall he IL good
listener; md | promise you, although aIu a
slow coach, yet if the exigcncv arises aud
events tranSplrc at any time which require nc.
tior, | shall DC one oil the readcSt voters.
Am going to talk but little. | shall be Il sound
and true voter. love my State, the Union.
and the honor of my family.
Gentlemen, while do not look patr;arcllal, |
have more children an1 grand children, | cx,
lccI. than any man here. (Laughter) beg
pardon f"r exciting your rIslhle faculties. ]
am probably not Us drmurc upon this occasion
as ought 20 be; but | caliuot talk in any
other way. speak from the iullne<s CT nay
heart mesn right. But believe have
said enough at this time, and will now usk
,he Secretary to read ms resolutions.
The resolutions We're then read by the
Clerk as follows and referred u the COMMITTEE
on Federal Relations:
l. Resolved, That !he people Of Virginia, in
Convention assembled are FIRMLY opposed TO
military coercion upon or under disG ;liSe 10 the
| Con(cdrraled States OF the Union b. the Frdc.
raj Government and that they vii! not submit
10 it.
.. That the State Of Virginia is willing to
wait 4 reasonable time for tie Northern States
nl The Cunrderacy TO guarantee 10 Virginia
and her sister Southern States, Justice and
equality in the Union, based on the princi Piles
of the Crittenden resolutions, and 4 protective
power in tue Constitution for the preservation
intact Of their just and equal rights.
3. That in pursuance of this policy, and
with the view Of cti.cling restoration Of
kindly feeling in all parts OF the country, and
ahIr fSi Gu bs 6G2p5Ei!V!i9na9l e9nPae
manent basis. and the hope Of securing the re-
turn Of the Cotton States which have wilt
drawn from the United States, Virginia viii
not, for the present, exercise her Inherent right
Of declaring herself an independent sovereignty
al America.
1. But that dcsiring and intending to act
! with the candor and independence becoming
her position, and her relations towards her Sis.
ter States and the complication and magnitude
Of the interests, Virginia distinctly declares,
that failing, if she should, in this her earnest
effort to accomplish the objects above indicated,
her natural ties, he. clear rights and sacred
honor alike dictate & finn and p omp adhesion,
on her part, TO the common cause Of The South
ern States, and the blending Of their interests
and destiny with her own.
| 5. That VIC invite and request tiir States OF
Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ma.
ryand and Delaware, and North Carolina, to
! appoint Commissioners TO meet commissioners
! anuointed by this Convention, at Wythcrllie.
| in the county of Wythe, in this State, on the
| lust Thursday in March next, to devise the
best means of promoting our mutual interests
c. That wo elect eleven Commissioners TO
carry out the provisions OF the 9th resolution;
that they report their determination to this
Conrention on the - day Of April.
T. That a copy Of these csoluuons be ior'
wnrflcd to the Governors Of all the States, 10
the President of the United States and 10 the
Governor Of the Confederate States Ct North
America, and to the President thereof.
Mr. CuAMBLIss.-lt is in order, believe, Mr,
President, 10 make some remarks on these re-
solutions. 1t is extremely gratifying 10 the that
n move has been made from an unexpected
quarter in the right direction. conservative
us was regarded when at home, hnd that on
corning here ain looked upon ms lille ultra
I confess that when heard the resolution o
the gentleman from the Cockade CITY and MS
avown of purpose 10 resist 10 the last eH
tremity, all military attempts at COERCION u
eaye me the greatest pleasure nave e32e
rienccll for some time. When he says tina. .lhe
ultimate destiny Of this good old Co'nihon
wealth il ndissoluhly bound 10 our Southern
lretbren i, fl;ls mc with still decptr sympathy
and good feeling towards him. There Is one reH
ulu,inn, however, which my friend from The
Cuckade city has thought proper 10 ouer tina
looks little like waiting. how long VIII His
friend feel disposed to wait ? Rome he says Is
not burning. That il true. But the On!
that the bill now before Congress, passes, !
! virginia is true to herself aud her honor, tru'
10 her ancient lame; II she VIII act VIII ooii
moss and courage that should become the ae
scendants Of SO ilinstrious torctathers-s''e
will find herself ont Of this Conlederacy
! fipr,luusc.) There is no conceivable clrcum
stance. Mr.. President, that will make me eFc
intimate that Virginia shall desert her Sonthe'1
sisters live are to be dragged, SIS some gentle
men think either to the North Or the South, ihs'
in the name OF our ancient fame, by whoi'
would we prefer 10 be dragged Would yo'
be dragged by the Northern coriederacy
your known haters or cncmics-or would yo'
prefer to he dragged by your brethren o' Kill
dred ties and similar interests!
hope and trust, Mr.. President tns1 u: .n
dark clouds which now hover over our poii'l
cal horizon, may bc dispelled. l trust tina
some light will vet shine over this confederacy
that all our sisters may he brought into ON
comr.nn confederation again. But fear tina
! this hone Is in vain. The time must come, IN