Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-03-12

cedec, made speech putting war construction
npon the Inaugural, as Clingman had done the
DAY before, to whom Hon. Stephen A. Douglas
replied. The followingeis an extract from the
reply Of Mr.. Douglas:
J Mr.. Douglas repeated what he said yesterday
that he bad carefully Analysed the inaugural
ior the purpose OF ascertaining distinctly and GER
talnly what was the policy of the new admins
tratlon, and he came to the conclusion that it
was the wish and purpose of the President to
pursue peaceful policy and avoid war. He
was re!olced to be able to arrive at that concu-
sion. This was the whole substance Of what he
yesterday said or desired to say.
Inc Senator from Texas thought the express
SION OF this opinion or conclusion was calculated
TO have bad effect upon the country; but it
struck him (Mr. Douglass that if the country
could rest secure in the belief that they are TO
have peace-no civil war, no armies mustered
into confiict--it would have happy effect. He
wassure every man who loved this glorous Union,
Tor 1t was glorious, and even dearer to him now
t1an ever before-every man who loved bis
KIND, and was proud of being an American,
ought to rejoice in the belief that peace can be
maintained
Ii ne were allowed to judge of the various
speeches OF the Senator from Texas, ne was
forced TO the conclusion that the Senator did not
regard the question of peace as he did. The
Senator had told them more than once that they
could take their choice between peace and war,
ana that ne did not care. But he, (Mr Douglas)
cared-and therein consisted the difference be-
tween the Senator and himself Because he was
deslrons OF peace, he was anxious to ascertain
what was to be the policy of the administration
q orr tuod In
and feirly, and had expressed his qualification at
the result. If he had arrived at the conclusion
that the inaugural means wa-, he would have
denounced it. He was with the President as far
as the President was for peace, and would be a.
gainst him when he departed from that line of
policy. ias s
In reference to his speech at Norfolk, during
the Presidential canvass, in which he replied to
the questions propounded by Mr.. Lamb, Mr..
Douglas said:
see no reason to change or modify any SER
timent therein expressed.
| believed, then, as now do, that expressed
the sound constitutional principles on which
alone the government can exist. As to hanging
the Senator was under some misapprehension, or
his mind seems of character which magnifies
one man to two men. only spoke of hanging
W.
| Aud did say, that if Mr.. Lincoln should be e.
lected President according to the Constitutional
forms, be must be inaugurated; and, under my
constitutional duty, would sustain him in the
exercise of all legitimate duties of the station.
| then said, if, after he was elected, be should
violate the constitution of the country, and COM
NIT crimes against the laws Of the land, should
be for Furnishing him according to law. And if
| the penalty under the Constitution be to hang
him, would hang him higher than Haman. |
would have said the same thing of any other
man who might abuse the trust reposed in him
by the American people. / asserted it as gen.
eral principle.
| Mr. Mason followed, characterizing the Inau-
gural as a proclamation of war. Mr.. Douglas
again replied, declaring his belief that the Pres
ident was in favor of q pacific policy, and the
Republican party also sustained that POLICY rs
the best under the circumstances.
| State Convention.
TUESDAY, March 5th.-Several resolutions, in
duced by the Inaugural Address of Abraham
Lincoln, were offered, but the Convention ad
journed pending their consideration. The de-
bate indicated a change of sentiment to some ex.
tent, and the Secession members seem more hope
| full. The policy of the Conservatives, however,
is to inaugurate confer ence OF the Border Slave
States, upon the result of which the action of
Virginia is to be based. The attendance of spec,
tators, particularly of ladies, was very large.
| WEDNESDAY, March Chino progress was
made by the Convention to-day in the effort to
place Virginia in an attitude of resistance to CO.
ercion; but some speeches were made on the
resolutions. There was disposition to bring
the question to vote, when Mr.. Carlisle, who
desired to make a speech tomorrow, moved an
adjournment, which was carried. The report of
| the special committee, relative to the movements
| of men and arms by the General Government,
and the report of Peace Commissioners, were
laid on the table and ordered to be printed
More resolutions were referred to the committee
on Federal Relations 1t is not to be wondered
at that the report OF the committee is delayed,
if they have to read and investigate all the res
olutions that are referred to them.
| THURSDAY, March 7th.-A resolution was Of
fered by Mr.. Brown, of Preston, looking to f
nancial arrangements in the possible event of 8
war. 1t was laid on the table. Mr. CLARK, of
Nelson, offered al anti-coercion resolution, which
was referred to the Committee OIL Federal Re-
lations. Mr.. Carlisle made long speech on the
pending resolutions to instruct the committee in
which he declared against the constitutonality
of secession, held that the Government had q
right to collect the revenue in the seeded States,
and endorsed Lincoln's Inaugural Address, in the
pacific tone of which he was ''agreeably disap-
pointed" Mr.. Cox, of Chesterfield, made a
brief reply, after which, on motion of Mr. Brent,
of Alexandria, the Convention adjourned, with
out having made the slightest progress In the dis
posal of the questions before it.
| FRIDAY, March Sth.-Mr Wysor, of Pulaski,
submitted proposition in the form of an ordi-
nance, for dissolving all political relations be-
tween Virginia and the other States. Referred
to the Committee on Federal Relations. Mr..
Early, of Franklin, made personal explanation,
and produced copies of letters which had passed
between himself and Mr.. Goode, of Bedford, re-
sultiDg in an arnicable settlement of their mis-
understanding. Mr.. Brent, of Alexandria, made
a speech on the Union side of the question. He
opposed the policy of secession, but admitted
the right; his view being that Virginia would
be much better taken care of under the Federal
Government than in the Southern Confederacy.
He did not fully endorse Lincoln's Inaugural, for
he opposed coercion but did not look upon it
as warlike document. He goes for Border
State Convention. Mr.. Amber commenced
speech Oh the Southern side, and will conclude
to morrow.
SATURDAY, March 9.-The Committee on Fed
eral Relations made partial report on Saturday,
and three minority reports were subrnitted--one
by Mr.. Wise, one BY Messrs Harvie, Montague
and Williams, and one by Mr.. James Barbour.
1t is understood that the majority report is APP
proved by sixteen of the twenty one members
of the Committee. Mr.. Amber concluded his
speech on the pending instruction resolutions,