Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-16
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VIRGINIA. LEGTsLATURE.
Debate on the Resolution offered by
MIR. Vance, Instructing our Repre-
SentntIVeS mt Wa shingtOn.
Concluded from Ycsterday. I

MR. vance, InstructtnS our Repre-
SentntIVes at TVu shingtOn.
Concluded from Ycsterday.I
Mr.. FARNswoRTH, of Upshur-I am truly
sorry this resolution was ever introduced
into this Honse, and as / shall vote for it
to lie on the table, feel it due, at .east
to my constituents, to give some reasons
why | shall do so. Not that am opposed
to slavery or the Fugitive Slave Law, for
am uncompromisiugly in favor of both,
and / know the constituents | represent
are uncompromising on this subject. But,
sir, !, aud, l know further, my own con-
stituents, are opposed to introducing into
the Legislature of Virginia that baue and
bone of contention that has so nearly sac
rificed our glorious Union. When | re-
membered the introduction of this ques-
tion into the halls of Congress, into the
legislation of our nation, it was then and
there that the grave of our country was
dug; and had hoped that this question
would never be resurrected again, be-
licve it was sprung upon this House with
out any intention of stirring up the old
strife that it will necessarily stir up for
believe the gentleman who introduced it,
introduced it with pure motives; but as
certainly as we do bring that question up
in this Legislature we but introduce the
bone of contention that will never cease
in its influence until it has eaten up the
very vit"ls, hopes and prospects of this
new and reOrganized government. If my
voice would bury it so deep that rHsurrec-
ton would never find it, l would gladly do
it; and had it never made its appearance
in the hall of legislation our country to-
day would have been.safe and secured from
the war, the connections, the striFes and
divisions now upon US.
If this were test question of whether
we were in favor of slavery or the Fugitive
Slave LAW, would vote for taking it up; +;
but il is not a test question. | do not be-
lieve that there is scarcely man in this
House but is in favor of slavery and the
Fugitive Slave Law. 4 member-'NOt
mauln1 But for conscience sake let us
not take into our bosoms the viper that
will sting us to death. know, incouver-
satiOn with my constituents at home, who
are as true To the Constitution and the
provisions of the Constitution in guarau-
anteeing to every man his right of proper
ty in slaves OF anything else-I know that
when the subject of Introducing into the
halls of legislation the slavery question was
mooted-with me, their hearts have been
made to bleed on the subject; and knowing
this is the sentiment of my people, could
not keep my seat; and hope the vote of
this House will be given against the rcso-
luton, not because of its principle, but be-
cause of the effects it may introduce If we
take it from the table and introduce this
question in the commencement of our leg
iSlntion.
know, Mr.. Speaker, that the gentle
man who introduced that resolution had
no idea of the baneful effects and intiuen-
ces tLat it would necessarily have i'll intro
ducing it at this stage of the proceedings
of our legislature and the reorganization
of this government We, sir, have ques-
tions of more vital importance than to stir
up strife in our midst We have questions
that pertain to the important interests of
our constituents in setting this new gov
ernment right before the world; and ac-
COrding 10 his own proposition moving an
adjournment at a certain time. ii we intro
duce at this stage II subject that will stir
hup the deep emotions of every ones heart,
when will we ever come to conclusion OF
this session. Let us bury it that we may
go on with business and bring 1t to q
speedy close, that we may go home and
prepare those who are members of the
Convention to come up here on the first
Tuesday in next month. | hope every
member will vote for the resolution to lie
on the table.
MI ARNOLD. Oi l1GhlS--N w llSI 'tSNC4 loi
the resolution to be taken up did not ac-
company it with any remarks. knew
from the very fact that this resolution was
offered, that the country at large looked
with anxious desire to see what had be
come of it. 1t was remarked very justly
the other day when the resolution was of
fered, that if it was laid on the table it
would indicate to the country that we were
hesitating to do any thing with it. knew,
sir, that that was fact. The resolution
had been offered, and it was Indispensable
TO act. and politely invited the gentleman
who offered that resolution to withdraw it..
But immediate action was urged with great
zeal and solicitude, so much so that had
not even time to examine it, that could
not give it one deliberate thought, but l
had to Immediately raise my voice pro or
con.
Well. sir. this resolution was offered
here. thought at the time that it pre-
sented favorable opportunity, as Lovejoy,
the agi,ator of slavery, had introduced his
resolution into Congress-it presented this
body favorable opportunity to show to
the world that they were not tinctured with
Black Republicanism and Abolitionism.-
thought that it was Il favorable opportu-
nifty to show that this Union Legislature
THAT had convened here did not intend for
moment, and was not disposed to recog-
nize the Administration for any other pur-
pose, but that they honestly believed the
subject would never be interiered with
But Notwithstanding that, the idea had gone
forth. Gentlemen at home said to me
those who even were Union men" am
/ in favor of division of the State, but am
afraid that if the State is divided they will
deprive us of our property-that this body
is an Abolition body" l repudiated it
All the Union men of the country who had
faith and confidence in Northwestern
Virginia repudtnted it; and thought when
this resolution was offered It would give q
favorable opportunity TO allay that appre-
hension aud fear that was taking the