Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-23

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object for which we arc met together. II you
have a test question upon the subject OF raising
n committee. and it il carried against the "esl,
tn, will find Western members feeling az
.sriaved by the action Of the majority OF the
members: fit is carried against the East, you
will find them also excited and feeling aggricVed'
and ;calousies will exist in the minds oil inc
Convention, one against another. Deu'agosues
from both sections are seeking to array one
section of the country against ano'her. mshs
prisons arc seeking row to say ihat tais Io r
IGNITION is wasting time in the diseusS'oh VI
matters which are not pertinent to tne o"JeeSs
far which we were called together. i'et US w
n,,b;r, to add to this excitement; let US Z"
an o,a consider only tho question Tor when
re were called together, and when we have
a;scussed and settled that then we can go on,
ond ~properly turn our attention to other maj
tiers which may be deemed proper for US to
consider. -,
appeal 20 those gentlemen that they will
no, now Introduce any discord by the agitation
of this question. The Union is d;smrnbered;
it is bleeding at every pore; I call upon them
to do that which will restore the Union, ana
when that is done we may call up this sns9ect
of taxation, | call upon them, as loyal FIrS''
mans, at 8 time like this, not TO be dlsputlhg
in regard to the burdens which We have 10
bear among ourselves; bu: 10! US all come up
to Our high duties and save Virginia and this
institution to which ne all profess 10 he so
much attached and when that is done We can
talk about the subject Of taxation. Let us not
be engaged IN a controversy among ourselves, a
controversy between tho Est and the West; but
let us stand up boldly as ono man, and present
a united Ircnt against our common aG&ressoIS.
Let il not appear to the North, let It not 60
abroad, tina, Virginia is divided herselt-that
she would suffer her great united power 10 DC
taken away by sny such paltry consideration
when more important issues are Involved
What would YOU think Of q crew which, when
a shio was in the midst Of q tempest, tossed oy
the breakers, and the efforts OF every hand was
necessary to save that ship, would be dlsprtins
among themselves in regard 10 the INEQUALITY
of their laborA. Let ms saTe the ship, let us
bring her safely TO the shore, and then you
can nee bow this inequality ought to De ADJUST
ed. I apreal TO my friends Of the est 10
Withdraw This agilating subject Ssro.n our
midst. In the Fall they will stand q better
CHANGE to secure their purpose. Then they
can strongly appeal 70 their friends OF the
East, and press their point, itS' tina,
institution Of slavery ought 10 oe !hSen
ns they propose. II, on the other hand,
We succeed in obtaining o favorable adlnstInent
Of our more serious grievances, We VIII DC N
such good spirits, we viii all be SO oFerjoJed
1T the result, that l think they Will hare no
cause TO sgila:e that subject. AT all events,
let US postpone the matter; let us NOT ee agi'
ta,inc that question at this lime; but let US Ell
unite now for the purpose for which We have
co,ventd. When this is dcne we can proceed
10 adjust other matters. desire tina, the gen
Il. man viii Withdraw his motion for The ayes
and noes. This question OF taxation can be
tsken I'D, if it il thought proper, ate: "e have
done with the subject Of Federal helat'ons:-
We can then discuss that question IN q spirl!
of cal.rness and patience, in a spirit which
will enable us to do justice TO the gen
,lcuen on the other side, when some
thing can be effected which will be agree
abs to sll parties. But this is not the time and
this Convention is not in the proper mood to
discuss il. renew the motion that the reso'
linton be laid On the table. will, nc view OIL
making 1t q test question, but simply 10 pass
the subject over until we have settled upon
some plan Of general adjustment.
Mr. Goops, Of Interchangeable motion tC
Law the resolution on the table is Withdrawn.
Nr. BRowN, OF Prestou-l never hear @ pro
position or on appeal, sir, designed TO promote
the interests OF ihis Union without responding
to it. I will ask Ct my friends if silence should
be preserved for the present, they are willing
to pass q resolution which | hold in ny hand
and which | will send TO be read and laid on
the table; and if 50 | presume MY western
friends will agitate the question TO more at lht
present.
The PREs!pISr-The resolution can be read
to the Convention, but nor 81 be acted upon.
Mr.. BxowS-i design it Gs d compromise,
end ! want it 10 te done b. unanimous consent;
and then we will SO 10 work 10 earnest ioT iot
Union.
The resolution was read as follows:
Resolved, That the President appoint a COM
mlttee OF fifteen members whose duty 1t slai
be to enquire if it be expedient 10 change OF
amend tie organic Law Of the State, and II sc
in what particular OF particulars, and report
thereon 10 an adjourned meeting of this body
should the Convention adjourn 10 meet st soms
future day.
Mr.. SLArenrER-Thss raises the whole cues
ton, sir.
The PaEsIDEST-Therci is no question before
the Convention except tina: on the adoption
OF the resolutions presented o. the gentleman
from Monongalia-
= Mr.. WILEY, o: Moncnga'is-Mr. President
I assure you, sir, that had 10 disposition, nc
intention, no expectation, in Offering tie 1880
lut;ons which | had the honor to present TO tht
Convention q few days ago, G! producing any
strifo. On tie contrary. sir, my object was te
produce peace and good viii my object vas tc
let il 70 out to the constituents whom 1 repre-
sent, and to o considerable portion "i this
Commonwealth, that there was a disposition
here and now To remove those abiding cause:
OF dissension which az: disturbing the dee!
sentiments of the hearts OF a large portion O
the Commonwealth. Sir, | depreca.e all strife
/ depsore q disposition to besct strife
especially at this hour; and to the sentiment
Of my friend from Lynchburg in that behalf
I respondmos cordially. hare listened, witt
cain, Mr.. President, 20 every manifestation o
a desire to Bow dissension in this body or hi!
Commonwealth; to every threat and menace
offer this measure as a measure OF peace.
want 10 war, | want no strife, want no dic
~sension. So help me God, sir, rather than Il
stir up the spirit Of q Bruiu5 that would re
our country Of agitation by striking down he
OppreSSOT, III liiS aSS Vi Shtho'iaH N''h'~'I'''
and refinement, | would rather be q Curtsus
to throw myself into the chasin row opening
betw cen the North aud Inc South, az Il peace
Offering to the gods of strife; If thereby good
will aud harmony and unity can be restored Il
our disturbed land. My object in introducing
those resolutions was peace; and | verify be
licve that the principle involved in those reso
~lu,ions, if adopted in the organic law, instead
Of producing dissension, would produce peace
instead of dividing, would consolidate TIT
Commonwe si!h; instead of producing dlssen
sion, would beges o spirit Of harmony all oYe'
this land.
!, Sir, do not present this as a measure O
section, and l deny tho assertion that it is sec
,ional in its character.
slr. President, | am not here, a. this moment,
for the purpose Of discussing the merits of this
measure, but merely for the purpose o: eS'
planning to, gentlemen upon the other side
what is It's character. l repeat, sir, that hi:
is not a question Of section. lt is applicable