Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-12-10
VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION.
tsECEET SES
THIRTEENTED d.
MONDAY, APRIL 29th, 1861.
CONTINUED

sOT. SSoN's euo 10 II mAus UuL i
am unwilling to cast any vote s~avoring of a
party character.
We elected Mr.. Hunter, who was = straight
out secesslonlst. did not vote for him, how
ever: We are now called upon to vote for
another straight.out secessionist, and Judge
Brockenbrough is spoken of as anothe, 70.
preventative, who is also a straight.out seces
'lonist Russell, of Wheeling, is also spoken
Of, and he, too, is o straight-out secessionist I
was a conservative Union mana Douglasite,
and am opposed to electing all Breckenridge
There are Bell men and Douglas men
who are as true to the Southern C%onfederacy
IS any that ever lived. Go to my tewa, sir,
and you will find that those vino cried out for
are not those who now constitute
the military contributions from there to your
army. Those who were designated during the
campaign Black Eepublicans-thoss |
mean who supported Douglas-are now in the
army by the thousand with sword and musket
in hand, and | cannot submit to see that class
here in the selection of Representatives
to Montgomery. Some regard should be paid
to their wishes, and so far US my vote goes, it
shall be done.
1t this jealous and unjust discrimination is
- oAS tSASl - OCok VI kAt5SblS lllCSt
result from il. / shall 20 for Mr. Sedden with
the greatest pleasure imaginable but if l do
not hear q disclaimer Of q purpose to elect
a majority Of straight-out secessionist, I will
vote against him.
MI. HALL, Of Wet2el.-I was very much on
posed to the introduction OF anything like par.
ty discussions here, or to any references to par.
~ politics. was a Douglas Democrat, but |
would scorn 70 rise here and claim any
special favor on that account | cast all
these considerations behind me. They belong
to the past, and should be permitted to remain
with the post | sru uow uctiug for Virginia
and the South. uua :.u! Tor party. 1t Is To
maintain the interests ui my State and section
that all my energies arc now devoted, and not
to pro;n''c :'arty ascendancy. | neither iden.
tif5 my sell with the Breckenridge, Douglas or
Bill ~:ac:ioas, but With the South and her inter-
ests. We should all look to the general con.
Germs Of our section and not to party. We are
embarked in o cause of momentous importance
to us all, and We should discard all other con.
save that which can best tend to
secure the success Of that cause, and accom-.
plish the great end which We have in view
the establishment Of our independence and our
emancipation from the Calling tyranny Of the
Goths and Fandals OF the North. Let us, in
short select the Iuen who are most competent
to represent US, without regard TO their past
political associations.
This war Ia which we IRE engaged in is far
from being 6 ;r!A.ns one. No, SIT. We are
going 20 have q terrible conflict, the end Of
which DO man can now venture to predict
and it is for US to see that We do our duty as
becomes q people engaged i'll a struggle Of this
character.
10 choosing men for Congress, let us secure
that kind OF material that will best subserve
the great purpose We have in view. Let US
select men of high character, judgment and
discretion. As regards the gentlemen l:oni.
mated, l must say, that I cannot give my vote
for Mr. R!ves, for the reason that | do no,
know how he stands, and for an additional rea,
son that | don't believe bis heart is with us in
this movement, and thar, moreover, he is one
Of those who would be- willing tia, Virginia
should furnish her quota Of troops to the Lin.
coin Government to sabjuga:s and destroy our
brethren in the South.
As TO a choice between Bocock and Seldom,
| am at q loss to make any. Under all the cir
cumstaEces, however, l regard Mr. Seldom as
perhaps the mes: eligible, and | shall there
fore vote for him.
NJ. WIcKEAM.-I desire to say that I cam
into the Convention this morning somewhat
under the impression that party lines would
bs osliterated hencefor,h ard forever. With
this suppression | came to a conclusion as to
whom | should vote for for representatives to
the Confederate Congress. determined first to
vote for Mr.. Hunter and Mr. Seldom, and then
e. NJ. D,,A, <l k-- I'll --S--I- -
spect 10 the doubt expressed just DOW in refer.
ence to Ar. R.ves' position, by the gentleman
from Albelnarle, (air. H%oLooMsE,) that l re-
ceutly met Mr.. Rives and took occasion to con.
verse with him on the subject of the great is
sues now before tho country; and | an ena-
bled to say lhs: there is 20 moro thorough
Virginian within the limits Of the State than
VIM. C. RiVes, and there is no man within the
same limits more determined to advance the
interests Of the State, and promote the perma
nent organization and establishment Of the
Southern Confederacy than be ia.
1t seems to INC that those who we're IN the
msj?ri!y ct one time are entitled to have their
feelings represented in this Congress. There
is not one here, 80 far as | know, who has no,
pledged himself to defend the interests Of the
State; and, if our friends are denied q position
in the Congress of the Confederate States, we
will content ourselves with becoming food fol-
powder.
I trust, however, that it will be the pleasure
Of the Convention to give US a due represents
ton 10 that Congress, and not to discard those
vino may, at one time, have differed from the
majority here.
81. MAcrARLAEp.-Great injustice has been
done to Mr.. R1vEs, by the suggestion OF a
doubt, as 10 his fidelity to the State in her new
attitude.
M. NsstErr.-Is he ia favor Of the South.
ern CorfedcracyH
Mr.. MAcFARLASp.-I had the pleasure of an
recently With Mr. Rives IN my
own house, and from what | could learn of his
sentiments in the course Of that interview, ]
believe that there is not a man within the lin.
its of tie Commonwealth more loyal, more do.
voted, OF who will prove more efficient, ifhe has
the pleasure Of representing his State, than
will Mr.. Rives. He was a Union man; but he
bows with al! grace to the decision Of the
State. His heart is now 10 the issue. Give
him a chance and he will furnish ample proof
of lis fidelity and loyalty to the State, as well
and those of the Confedercy at large.
lutTG Sctu1o " uC u udLlISot plVpllCiyt ILL
der existing circumstances, in Sc disposiDg Of
the Offices in question as that speculation will
be put to rest, and that the entire public will
be satisfied that We can be just, in according
tn. donors of tho Commonwealth to those
who have heretofore differed from us in senti
ment
Mr. TxEpwxy.-I wish to inquire whether
the previous question will apply to this de-
bate?
The PaEsDEsr.-Yes sir.
Mr. TsEDwAY.-I have risen for the purpose
Of calling it
OF all things, those nost difficult Of accom-
plishment BY this Convention, are to elect per.
sous to office. | might refer to the difficulty
and delay which was encountered in the or.
gsnization Of this body, in proof Of this state
ment