Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-03-08

to grasp it with eagerness, and present it in SUI
port of the views which they themselves entertain
ed. j have heard his sentiments referred to In tn
hail. but cannot see how gentlemen can, Wit
Consistency, quote them, unless they intend to a.
according to the advice which he gave. WI
pleased to hear my friend from Bedford Mr.. Coz
gIn) roint out, in the Farewell Address OF ashln.
ten, the mode laid down in the Constitution OF Il
United States, by which grievances ought to !
removed and alterations to the Constitution mad
And now, sir, beg leave to read another sho
extract from that memorable Fal ewell Address
| Wilmington 9nd want to see how it accorGs WI
the views of those who advocate secession. a
willing to take that great ~ an for my guide.
In speaking OF the ULlOn, W ashington uses Il
following language:
| "The unity of government, which consttut
you one people, is also now dear to you. 1t is jus
ly So for 1t is the main pilIarin the edice of D
real independence; the support of your tranquil
at horne, your peace abroad Of your safety
your prosperity; of that very liberty which "
so highly prize But as it is easy to foresee, til
from different causes, and from different auarter
much pains will be taken, many articles empl "
to weaken in yonr minds the conviction Of Il
truth as this is the point in your poll zeal fortre
against which the batteries of internal and exte
nal enemies will be most constantly and active
(though often covertly and insidiOusly) directe
it is OF infinite moment, that you should proper
estimate the immense value of your national unio
to your collective and individual happiness: a
that you should cherish cordial, 'habituai, Z
immovable attachment to it.; aecustoming va
selves to think and speak of it as of the palaG
of your political safety and prosperity; watch
tor its preservation with jealous anxiety discd
tenancing whatever may suggest even suspid}
that it can in any eFent be abandoned; and ms
nantly frowning upon the first dawning of ey
attemptto ALLEVIATE any portion of our country Fl
the rest, or to enteeble the sacred ties which j
link together the various parts"
| That is the advice OF that great man. and bVI
am willing to stand. .@
Mr. President, it is said in the Cotton States
elsewhere, that Cotton is King. 1t may be ii
sir; but we have more than one King in our
State. We have got at least halt dozen
here. We have got King Wheat, King Corn,
and King Hemp. King Oysters know very n
about King Tobacco might be dispensed VI,
and SO might King Cotton; and in its place
| might substitute flax or hemp. But when Yoa
down to your meals, you cannot substitute a
King, say, then, in Virginia, and when you
all these Kings together, they far override * /
| Cotton, with all the power that he may possess
do not intend, Mr.. President, to take up y
| time, and the time of the Convention much long
| had no intention OF making an elaborate ar
ment. My only desire was to present sdne of
| views upon the great question now before us,
j WAS exceedingly anxious to let this ConyentA
know the views OF those represent in this hum
body. BY way of infaming the passions Of the pl
1
/ Brown raid, and you hold the Black Republic
party responsible for that. Now think the b
plan is to do justice all rouni to every body. II
| cry man here, OF course, and elsewhere, conden1
ed that whole proceeding and say it is unjusta
charge the Black Republican party as party wa
couEtenancing the ohm Brown raid. If gent
men will read the Chicago platform, you will fiji
in it that they distinctly denounced it. Iwa1
you to understand distinctly, that do not symp
thize with the Black Republican party; but q
Ill 4.
body like this, for the purpose of discussing qu1
tions, and arriving at the trath, we ought to 4
the whole truth and nothing else but the truth |
we know it. 1t is unjust, then say, to condeij
the Black Republican party, and hold them respC3
s .SiS fer the lawess acts Of John Brown and
followers.
But, Mr. Preside nt 3 la We been asked owl
and over again, where will Virginia go? Will ST
go TO the North or to the South That questd
was ans xered this morning by my frienl fro
Rockbridge CHR. Moore) and it is hardly nece
sary that should say more about it than to r
mark, that heartily concur in his views. sa,
she is to 20 nowhere
Some members of this body have been appealir
| to others to know what should be done in ca
coercive measures were adopted by the Generi
Government. l say that this Convention, if it
desired to bring about an amcable adjustment 1
all our difficulties ought to act wisely, deliberat
y, and judicious!y. Set out your grievances AT
demand your rights. But il the object is to frigh
en- Us, you will never accomplish any thing. l ha'
no more idea til at the people of The South can i
ii nidate the people of the North. than that Il
people of tie North can inti nldate tae Peep
of the South If | asked anything at 20,
hands, Sir. President, would have to come I
respectfully and make my demand in a prop
way. If | undertook to threaten you, KIN
that would never get WHAT wanted. stat
as well as individuals will not submit to threat
OH cannot settle difficulties in that way.
Here is another question upon which deslr G
submit few remarks. | mean the proposition pr.
scented by the Peace Conference ct this city
Washington. Whatever may be the opinion of otI
ers whatever may be the opinion OF Of the gentle
man who last spoke-the gentleman from Orang
(Mr. Morton)-l, for one, accept the propositic
agreed upon by the Peace Conference; and in til
view, desire to say to the Convention. my ca
leagues agreed with me. ! think that rgini
ought to accept it, and | think she will. IT thi
matter were properly brought before the people
the st ste, and it discussed from its centre
its circumference, have 20 hesitation in saying
that the people would rise in the majesty Of thei
might and settle this question at once They w0ui
be willing to accept the proposition presented b
the Peace Conference at Washngton.
do not want, Mr.. President, as said yestel
day, that there should be any doubt to the pc
stion occupy upon the subjec. now under discus
sion. 1t am wrong, am responsible to the pee
pie of my county, and to them alone, who kne'
my views before came here. And right at thi
point, desire to read short extract from the ST
Article of the Constitution Of the United States
| know that the members OF this House must
familiar with it, but will read it for my own sal
isfaction. so that may define my position NOR
correctly, and so that gentleman may know exac
" the positit n | take:
f'The Congress, whenever two thirds of bot
Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose a
mendments to this Constitution"
tits expected that the plan now submitted b
the Pea ce Congress will be adopted by Congress
4 n
whether they will or not. The present Congre
expires in day Or two; / do not KIN )w whethe
they will have the time to do so or not; bat mu
be permitted to say, Il they do not submit it in til
way have suggested, shall not De very MUG
surprised. 1 never had much confidence IN I'll
Black Republican members OF Go ngress agreein
to any fair proposition.
But if they do not agree to this there is anothe
remedy--and go for that last resort. am NJ
willing that this Government Of ours shall De bro
ken up and cast to the four winds OF Heaven, bt
cause some of the Black Republicans, who wer
elected years ago to office, are not willing TO say
it. If Congress faitt to agree to the propositio
now submitted by the Peace Conference, there
another remedy, and lis this On the applicable
. the Legislatures of o-thrds OF the sewers
States, Congress shall call Convention for pro
posing amendments, which, in either cases, sha
be valid to all ntents and purposes as part OF tn
Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures
three-fourths of the several States, or by ConVel
lions in three-fDurths thereef, as the one OF u
other mode of ratification may be proposed By tn
Congress-"
Though Congress fail to recommend amendment
to the Constitution according to the proposition
laid down by the Peace Congress, want this Coz
vention to lay down the basis for a settlement
our difficulties in the way here suggested desil
to have this question to go to the people of all ii
States, and | want them to elect members Of the
Legislatures Who will ask Congress to call q COZ
stitutional Convention, and then, in that even
Congress would feel itself bound to call such Coz
vention. / will not be satisfied about that. Ii tt
politicians fail to settle this matter, want Il
me and sinew of the country and the voters OF tt