Litchfield enquirer., 1861-07-04

Sharon, C., June 22d 1861.
 For the Litchfeld Enquirer. MIR. B. AND THE VIRGINIA RISER.
 VATIONl
 NUMBER II.
 Like every else in Bs article of June lst, he betrays gross ignorance, entirely inexcusable in reference to what he is pleased to denomi nate the Virginia Reservation" I call it ig. norance, for l cannot for moment suppose that he would have written what he did, had he been acquainted with that of which he was writing.
 His entire argument is an assertion, with noth- ing for foundation. He assumes that viginia at the time she ratified the Constitution of the United States, reserved to herself as separate State, right to resume those powers which she in common with the other States of the Union had granted to the General Government under the Constitution, at any time she might deem proper, without the consent or cooperation oi any of the other States. He thus makes the ratification of Virginia conditional instead ol absolute. Nothing can be more erroneous, noth ing can be mors unfounded than this claim, and it undoubtedly is made for the sole purpose of affording strength to the claim of the right of States to secede from the Union. It is not be- cause it is fact that Virginia made any such reservation, for Virginia reserved to herself as a separate State nothing. She was not received into the Union with any reservation at all. Nor did she make any reservation part of the com pact. The Convention which ratified the Con- stitution had before them preamble and two resolutions, the first of which was simply res olution of ratification, and the second was res olution relating to amendments. Every thing that was of importance was in the preamble, from which make the following extract :- " Whereas, the powers granted under the Con- stitution are the gift of the people, and every power not granted thereby remains with them, and at their will," &c.
 Two things are important to be noticed here lst, That the power specified in the Constitu- tion as having been granted, are the gift of the people. 2d, That the powers not granted re- main with the people and at their will, but the powers granted being gift, have passed be- yond their control. All this is perfectly true. But where is there in this any thing which looks like Virginia reserving any powers? Is there here any thing which looks like conditional ratification? or making any conditions to the compact, of ratification? Yet this was all that there was in the preamble and resolutions of ratification, affording the slightest evidence of any intention or desire on the part of Virginia to resume any powers. In this aspect of the case the first resolution was passed by vote of se yeas and 7s noes-thus ratifying the Consti- tuition. The ratification was unconditional. At this point of their proceedings, after they had passed the resolution of ratification, and Vir- ginia had become State in the Union, mo- ton was made to strike out the preamble to the resolutions, which was carried. But the striking out of the preamble did not touch the act of ratification, that had become perfect-a fixed fact, and could only be reached by vote on the resolution of ratification itself.
 The Covention then agreed with the Con- mittee in the second resolution. Here we are brought to the consideration of another impor- tant act in the history of the Virginia Conven- ton. The first preamble having been stricken out, it became necessary to draw up another, or rather, form of ratification" to accompany the resolution of ratification, and Committee was appointed for that purpose. Subsequently the Committee reported form of ratification, which was adopted by the Convention. It is from this form of ratification" as suppose that B" finds Virginia came into the Cuion with reservation of certain powers; or rather he finds from this act that she reserved the right to resume those powers which she had given to the General Government, and which became absolute in the General Government by the act of ratification. Now have looked care fully through this form of ratification" for any such reservation as is claimed by B." but can find none, nor any thing that looks like such a purpose.
 This is the language of the form of ratifca. ton :-" We the delegates of the people of Vir' ginia," &c.,, do, in the name and in behalf ol the people of Virginia, declare and make known that the powers granted under the Constitution being derived from the people of the United States, be resumed by them whensoever the same shall be perverted to their injury or op. pression, and that every power not granted thereby, remains with them, and at their will, , &c. This is all that can be found in the sform of ratification" conducting to show reservation o powers by Virginia, and I say that from the Ian guage used, it is perfect negation of any sucl claim. 1st- The powers specified in the Con stitution, are declared to have emapated from lbe people of he United Gases, and not frou the people of Virginia as State. 2d. Tha these powers may be resumed by them," &c May be resumed by whoma By 0e people @ ase Usised Gasss, for they had just deciared tha they wsse derived from Ms pseps of ae Vns