Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-16

StASh VI - NSSAeA ~ -
produce q collision Of forces; and then it con.
cludeS:
"And they would regard any such action on
the part of the seeded or Confederated States
as hurtful and unfriendly, and as leaving them
free to determine their future policy"
Now occupying the position, which | consi.
der a very proud position, which Virginia now
assumes; while belonging to one Government
and separated from those who have recently
detached themselves from the Government: &C.
cupying the position Of a p%eace.maker between
the Federal Government and these seceded
Statcs-the most honorable mediation in which
she has ever been employed-it seems right
and proper that we should not use any Ian.
guase OF an offensive nature TO either of these
parties; but that we should say in plain, ex.
pllcit, respectful language, that in our opinion,
IT is necessary for the peaceful negotiation OF
the pending difficulties, that both should alb.
STAIN from any action tending to produce u col.
llSlon. And it is Tor the purpose Of strengthen.
ing ourselves rs a mediator between these par.
ties in these peculiarly imminent times, that |
propose TO introduce that substitute, which
speaks not in the language Of menace, but
which speaks respectfully to both and says that
the people Of Virginia would regard any net
on the part Of either tending to produce Il
collision Of forces, pending efforts for the adj.
jnStment Of existing difficulties, AZ unwise and
injurious TO the interests Of both; md they
would regard any such action on the part Of
either as leaving them free to determine their
own future policy" [ think that is a matter
OF obvious propriety, and | trust it will SO
seem to the Convention.
Mr.. WIsE.-I do not now rise 10 speak so
much in 10y own behalf, as in hehslf of my
absent colleague, the Honorable WV. BALLARD
PaESToS, who mas been charged with an i'm
portant mission to Washington, and with whom
this resolution was an especial pet, as you, sir,
know, and as we all know. And I say in his
beaalf, who regarded this as the very point Of
his sentiments and his attitude in regard 10
both Of these parties-,he Federal Govern.
ment ana the seeded States Of the South
that his design was expressly to distinguish
between the Federal Government and these
seeded States. This sentiment was my own ;
that you could not apply the same language
In respect to Doth, Or, language alike to both,
withou! being unjust to ourselves that i, was
not the design To place Virginia in The aIti-
tude OF q mediator, merely, to keep the peace
between the seeded States ana the Federal
Government; that VIC, ourselves, we're bound
to oe a party, and not n mediator; that /. was
Impossible for the Federal Government to in
wade those Southern States, and to commence
hoStl:itics upon them, for their defence Of the
Of slavery, and to compel them to
an alliance with the Government at Washing.
ton city. when they, on account Ot The wrongs
don: 10 their Institution VI slavery, were dis.
posed 10 defend il; that il was impossible !Lat
the Federal Government should an
IT thoSe States without, Indirectly, at
ieast, invading the State Of Virginia. lie, there.
fore, desired u ssy that We we're ;aore than me-
d:atcr wher the general government would com.
pei The seeded States to submit TO the positions
they themselves have taken in respect to
the Institution Of slavery, that we would be q
pariaker with the seeded States upon interest
and upoa honor in any course involving defence
an invasion Of the institution OF slavery,
and with other States that are defending that
institution.
cannot consent, no inore than the gentle.
man from Montgomery, Hho is absent, would
to have Virginia placed in the position
of a mere mediator in this aHtir. | protest
the State Of Virginia does not on this
Question stand in u mediatorial condition. Sir,
4 mediator must be unu that is impartial be.
tween the parties; q mediator must be one
that IS not interested wholly on one side; and
when We declare ourselves IN q mediatorial
condition, We declare in effect that we have not
a n interest in common with the Confederate
States that we have not ] disposition to make
the cause Of five hundred thousand slaves a
part Of the cause and interest that is involved
in any Invasion Of the South. Therefore, Mr..
PHEsToS very properly pressed that n distinc.
ton should be made tha! The Federal Govern
men! should be placed in one category, ind the
States in another. If the latter choose
to make NC: they will do what will be unfriend.
II To Us. If We think tina. they are pressing a
war unnecessarily, and making 4 war that
not to be made, why it is involving us
~ the war M one side or the other, and in that
respect it would be uDfri=ndly.
But who says that resistance to an attempt,
the part Of ttIe Federal Government, to ell.
force Jurisdiction over the seeded States,
could, in that aspect. be regarded ~ offensive
To The honor Of this Commonwealth? While,
upon the part of the Federal Government, their
a;teInpt to enforce su5jugition to the Federal
CONSTITUTION, might we'll be regarded, and
iealouSly regarded, rs an invasion ct her honor.
ard not only offensive TO her honor, but also
Injurious To her Interests. The gentleInan's
ameudnien. declares that if they 60 to war
with one another, We would lay all equal, i'm
partial and d.sinterested hand upon the righ.
and upon the lett party, and say I" them,
Why, You will hurt oI:c another; your war
vii, he Injurious to each ether" ! want to
say 10 the gentleman that that war, COM
u..nced by the Federal Government, will not
Only b. ! jlrious to the seeded States, bu.
will he an injury 70 ou- interests, aud will be
al attack upon our honor. That was what the
gentleman from Montgomery would insist
upon, | know, if he were here, for ! appeal to
my brethren upon the Committee that this
resolution was the especial pet Of that gentle
tnsn. In his absence | feel bound to oppose
the amendment, and especially as the views |
have presented are NY own views.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Richmond-Without having
been a lneHber Of the COMMITTEE on Federal
Relations, without knowing who vas the au
thor, or in whose affections this resolution was
q f~avo.i;e, | offered this amendment after some
consultation with gentlemen to whose opinions
| deferred because | thought il proper. Surely
| can have no objection that the gentleman
from Princess Anne should vindicate the pettcd
~favorite Of the gentleman from Montgomery in
his absence, bu5 IL ooeS seem W uc 4 NtI1e
strange that tue gentleman himself this morn
ing should have allowed himself to take so
material u liberty with this resolution, for if
my recollection serves me right the gentleman
himself moved to strike out the last four lines
of this resolution. Then it seems to inc that il
he is the especial guardian Of the resolution OF
the gentleman from Montgomery, he takes Il
good many friendly liberties when ne moves
himself materially to alter it, and yet denies
ne The right.
Mr. WIsE-I was taxing care Of my own
sentiments then.
Mr.. Johnson, of Richmond-l knoT; but
nevertheless it was consideration for the gen.
tleman from Montgomery which induced the
gentleman to appeal to the Committee to reject
any amendment, and to agree to the resolution
as .f.red by the gentleman from Montgomery.
Rat sir tina. has no logical connection With