Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-03-05

tnOrlty upon this single point which we desired
to do in this issde, without devoting more space
than we wish to this subject. We will continue
the same subject in our next issue. We have
no doubt that we have already furnished sufi-
cient evidence to convince any unprejudiced
mind that the CHIEF object in abandoning the
Oonfederacy and in adopting the present Federal
Constitution was to have Government which
would be enabled to pressrve the Union.
state Convention.
WEDNESDAY, 27.-A resolution was offered
yesterday, by Mr.. Fisher, of Northampton, but
not acted on, tor the appointment Of commit
tee to inquire into the expediency of making an
appropriation for the defence OF the Common
wealth Mr.. Goggin finished his speech on the
great question OF the day, and was followed by
Mr.. Shefey, OF Smythe, who took strong ground
against coercion. A communication from the
Executive, embodving a statement from the Ad-
utant General, OF the military force of the State
was laid on tue table and ordered to be printed.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Wilson, OF Harrison,
relative to the sale of State bonds, was laid on
the table. Mr.. Morton, of Orange, has the floor
for tomorrow.
THURSDAY, Feb. 28th.-A resolution offered
by Colonel Richardson, OF Hanover, seeking fur
Their information relative to the mill airy force
of the State, was laid on the table. The consid-
GRAFTON OF Mr.. Moo:e's resolutions on the nation
al troubles was resumed, and Mr.. Morton made
a secession speech, in the course of which be
alluded, 10 no complimentary terms, to the res
olutions adopted by the Peace Conference a.
Washington.
| Mr.. Baylor, of Augusta, next took the floor
He said that he was glad that almost every gen.
tlenan who had spoken had dsclamed party
politics. 1t was on that ground that he came
TO be elected for he represented county where
the party to which he had belonged was always
in minority.
| He proceeded to speak of the resolutions Of
the gentleman from Kockbridge, (Mr. Moore,
The first of those resolutions sets forth some OF
the grievances we had suffered from the sNort til
Yet it has been said, Notwithstanding, that there
hes not been complaint enough of the acts o.
| North-that We haye not abused them enough
Gentlemen are not satisfied with resolutions de-
Donncng Northern aggression, but would have
US 60 farther.
1t was true that some of the Northern States
not all-had passed what they called Persona
| Liberty bills, to obstruct the operation of the
Fugitive Slave Law. These States we denounce
and say they ought to repeal those laws. But
| it was the universal practice, when abiding tc
our grievances, to denounce the whole people
of the North, without any exception. The Per
sonal Liberty bills, he proceeded, were against
the rights and interests OF the Southern people
and we ought to demand their repeal; but we
ought to remember, at the same time, that they
are not Federal laws, and SO tar as the Fedora
lazy is concerned, they are just no laws at all
No one could say that Congress bad not done
ample justice to the South GA the questions
which involve her vital interest.
He had heard it said outside of this hall, as
well as in it-he believed it had been said to-
das that Virginia ought not to hesitate, but go
oat at once. He believed he heard the gentle
man from Orange say this, and he asked him il
be understood him right.
Mr.. Morton.-You did, sir.
Mr.. Baylor,-Go out for what2 He wanted
gentlemen to state their reasons. Nothing had
been said yet sufficient to satisfy him that there
was any good reason for it. He admitted that
the Union was already dissolved-that six or
seven links in the great chain had gone-but
twenty six yet remained, and Virginia was not
among the number that had gone. The stars
and stripes still foated over her, and he meant
to hold on to that flag till the last hope had
fled.
He intended to let the Convention know just
now late, and as it had been the practice to ad :
journ oyer to give members a full opportunity
of expressing their yieYs, he would give way if
any one desired to submit such motion.
On motion OF Mr.. Early, the Convention ad-
journed.
FRIDAY, March 1st.-A number of resolutions
were offered and referred to the Committee on
Federal Relations; among them one by Mr.. Gar
land, contemplating the passage of az ordinance
submitting the question to the vote OF the people
whether they will remain with the North, or SO
cede and unite with the Southern States; and
another by Mr.. Dorman, tor vote OF the peo-
pie of all the States, on the question OF Union or
Disunion, on the basis of the Peace Conference
compromise
Mr.. Baylor, of Augusta, being entitled to the
floor, resumed his remarks. He had never been
able to see any good reason Why Virginia should
secede at all-much less beforeethe 4th of March.
He did not believe there was any design to CO.
cree Virginia. If the Commonwealth were to
be taken out Of the Union, it would not prevent
the inauguration of Lincoln as President. of the
United States. The election of Lincoln wac not
regarded by the people as a cause for dissolu-
lion OF the Union. Had the rights OF Virginia
become any more insecure since the election than
before Ii so, i. was in consequence OF the ac-
ton of members of Congress from the Southern
States. Their secession had given the Republi-
cans majority in Congress. The Southern
States had the power, and threw it away; and
now because they hsc done wrong, they come
and ask us to dowrong also. He was opposed
to nasty action; opposed to Virginia going out
at all; but when events might render it necessary,
theE let her go out peaceably.
He did not believe secession was Oonstitu
tional measure. If the trainers Of the CoIstitu-
ton bad intended it to be there, they would
have put it there. Ii the Stats had been forced
into the Federal compact, they might have some
excuse, but as it was voluntarily entered into,
be believed they Lad no right to secede from it.
He was, however, opposed to coercion, The
Constitution gave the Government no such pow
Or. This Government could never % cent TO-
,ether by force. Il South Carolina were to be
conquered by force, no power could make her
,end representatives to Congress ~
Secession he looked upon as revolutionary
Measure. He wanted the matter settled without
war. Ii there were war, how could the mat
er be settled after it was over, when treasure