Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-19

thanks OF the Convention to the YOUNG, Mems
Christian Association for their offer oil the iree
use of their library and reading room 10 inc
Convention.
PRESENTATION OF PORTRAITS.
The PRESIDENT submitted communication
from Richmond lady accompanying portra''
of Monroe to be hung in the hall Of the Con
| ycntion, as also communication from
Richmond gentleman, rendering painting o.
Washington crossing the Delaware, Tor a ike
purpose.
On motion Of Mr.. MAcFARLANp it was order
cd that the thanks of the Convention DO con
veyed to the donors Of these portraits by the
clerk.
ALLOTMENT OF SEATS FOR SPECTATORS.
Mr. EARLY said that on Monday next, when
the Commissioners from South Carolina, Geor
gia and Mississippi would be received in the
Hall, II great rush was to be expected. In or
der to obviatc that result, and to give old men:
who were unable to force their way in, chance
to be present, he would submit the following re-
solution:
Resolved That the sergeant.atarms OF this
Convention do ascertain the number oil
persons that can he accommodated on
the gallery and space set apart for
gentlemen Us spectators and that the
Secretary issue tickets Of admission equally
to the number that can tic accommodated, and
distribute them equally among the members OF
the Convention; and that no person be admit
ted TO n seat on the gallery Or space on Mon
dav next, without ticket Of admission.
Mr. MoxrAGrE-I do not like that rcsolu.
ton Applause on the gallery.
The pREsIDExr. -Gentlcmen avail myself OF
this, the first and trust, the las. disorder Of the
day, to say, that shall feel it 10 be
duty whether motion comes from the
floor 20 that effect or not, to order the sergeant
alarms to clear the galleries. if we have any
more such scenes Us VIC had on yesterday and
this morning | participate in the curiosity
that is manifested to hear the proceedings oil
this body 1t is laudable curiosity; but it is
one that cannot be INDUCED ut the expense OF
its order and dignity Of It's proceedings.
Mr. MoSrAGrE.-I am unwilling to vote for
anv resolution that proposes system OF ia
voritisu II is no part of the duty Of members
of this body to be suggesting who should be
admitted to seats here. If the resolution is
adopted. will distribute tickets to no one
am willing to give all IN opportunity 10 come
here and witness our proceedings.
Mr. FISHER moved TO amend the resolution
by ordering that the Convention shall meet OH
Monday in the African Church.
Mr. TURNER moved TO lay the resolution and
substitute OH the table. Rcjected-ayes Sc,
noes 81.
The question was then taken on the amend
,nent, and decided in the negative. The resoiu-
,;n, ,r,s then ntlontcd
Mr.. MARR, of Fauquier, offered the following
resolution:
Resolved, That Virginia cticrishcs devoted
attachment to the Union Of these States under
the Constitution framed by the wise and patri'
otto men Of the pasl-that she will Use every
honorable effort, and make any sacrifice con-
sistent with her honor and interest, to restore
and maintain it-but that it is proper to declare
through the Convention now assembled, hcr
Imposition to the coercion, under existing cir
cumstances, OF any slave State, and an un-
altcrabe determination not to submit to any
Administration Of the Government in which
her rights are aSsailcd or not fully protected,
and that if the Union cannot be restored and
preserved upon terms honorable TO its compo-
ncnt parts, it should be divided.
The resolution stood referred, under the rule,
to the committee on Federal relations.
Mr.. MoHroS, of Orange and Green, offered
the following resolutions, which stood referred
to the same committee under. the same rule:
|. Resolved, That the people Of Virginia, in
Convention assembled, do solernnly declare,
that she will not submit to the coercion Of the
seeded States upon the pretext Of the enforce
ment Of the laws OF the United States, or upon
any pretext whatever.
B. Resolved, That she solcmnly protests
AGAINST the use Of the standing army and navy
Of the United States by the General Govern
rnent, and the concentration of troops at
the Federal Metropolis and at the forts arsenals
navy yards, DC, to cocrce any State or States
now in or out Of the Union.
g. Resolved, Tint this Commonwealth ar
IDENTIFY desires to restore the Federal Union,
and to preserve it upon terms OF safety and
honor TO all its members; but if the efforts
row being made prove unavailing, she will not
hesitate to unite herself with her sister States
Of the South.
Mr.. MoRroN. | understand, il will he no
violation OF the rules Of the Convention for me
to accompany the resolutions with few re.
marks.
We have been now in session, think, three
dnys or four, and whilst the nation is upon the
tip-toe waiting for something from this Con-
vention, that body has been occupied so far in
its organization merely And when we behold
the clouds that are accommodating so porten-
tousy over our horizon, it is proper that this
Convention should, if possible, present some
plans to restore harmony.
Mr.. President, upon every one OF these reso-
utions, | think, stands the safety, the peace
and the honor, not only of this Commonwealth,
hut OF the Union. Is there q man who has
Virginia birth, who mas Virginia feeling, who
participates in the slightest degree in the spirit
of &c. that can for one moment tolerate the
idea of the coercion of any sovereign State in
or out Of this Union: Has not the Virginia
LEGISLATURE declared with unanirnity that the
coercion of sister Southern State will be 4
cause of civil war, and be resisted with all the
military power OF the Commonwealth OF Eir-
cina? will not that sentiment be responded
to by the members Of INSTRUMENTATION fresh
from the people: Mr.. President | think ha-
gard nothing in saying that that is the scntl,
ment Of Virginia, und without such n senti-
ment as that from Virginia, should consider
her as low and degraded and depressed as poor
Ireland. II upon a scctiona! question now the
South is to be- crushed by the powers Of the
Federal Government, when the executive. the
Legislative and the judicial power Of the Gov
eminent will be in the hands of u Sec
tional hostile party, ask you, il there
is a virginan or Southern man that can
raise himself to the dignity OF man, and
say that he will submit to it? ask if her
condition is not as bad rs that Of Ireland She
has the privilege Of being represented in the
British Honse OF Commons, but she is in 4 rni
norily. The Queen belongs to England and
sits upon the English throne; and although our
people have President who has nc. hereditary
title to office and merely elected (ol'iour years,
he may be more tyrannica and oppressive than
any crowned head in Europe. take it, sir, that
with regard to the first resolution there can he
no objection in the hearts Of Firgnians.
With respect to the second resolution, when
we find that the President Of the United States
permits the Lieutenant General Of the army
OF the United States to assemble in Wash
ington the cohorts Of the regular army, mere
" m keen 4 watch upon INV distinguished