Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-10-17

nnerce is FREQ than anrr "nr ports a;r

commerce IS ireo tnan itl"" ''ir P'''~ ~
, rlOs ci2
, SIR, agree win our friends 'hs otlin
| side in many particulars. vsw t:.r can>c %
quarrel rs they view it. ] aln for diSSol1ln;
nnr connection with tho Federal Union; all
for resisting the aggression of The RcpuhcaI
party; am willing for the combat, ard Teadi
to meet the danger and take its Consequences
We dilr.r in ttis-that | am in favor oi pre-
paration, and taking time beforehand necessa
rv for The preparation, believing that while
Virginia and the other border States remain II
the Union. the opportunity fur preparation
will be better.
With suitable preparation for the conflict,
cannot doubt that all the Border States wi
act together, and that much Of that division
which nov d,stracts their people will disap-
pear but If the conflict be precipitated in nd
vance of preparation, no one can forcsec thf
disaster in which it may result. We want
friends and we want allies We want to make
friends aud allies Of the people o
these Border States. Let US, thea, con
sult with thenI,. and concert the plar
Of action. 1t may prove \ great error tf
suppose that, by our separate action, VIC car
constrain them to fnllnw our example We
have already adopted resolutions proposing a
conference of the Border States, and these
have been responded to by three Of the States
The proposition Of the conference comedies the
common interests Of all Of these States in the
subject under consideration; and submit it to
the Judgment of this hndy whether it is be
canning in us to abandon suddenly our own
deliberate proposals, and 20 assume to nnr.
selves the sole responsibility tonchlus a inca
sure 50 vital 10 others wIluse co operation nc
desire
Nv p"sition on the border, possibly, makes
me mere sensitive on this snhjrct than those
whose interior position renders them safe from
hostile incurSions. Nv own constituents and
their ncishbors have Il deep and immediate in
terest in the question. IF we begin the war
before We are prepared for operation, thn enc.
nv will be the ass.ilants, and we will feel at
our door s;ils the shock Of battle aid the ruin
Of war; but twe prepare beforehand, this shocl;
aud ruin mag be driven tn the homes nt those
who provoke them
Mr. President, It's manifest that this body
is greatly divided in opinion on this question,
inSnmuch that at the present moment it is
unce:tniu on which side the majority will be
inuud. ! have no expectation That The prepon.
lcrancc will be great on either side, ami To press
tl.is proposition through br Il naked majority,
and 10 20 before the country with tnat evidence
of our own division w, destroy tho unral cf
r;.i uf .la ac', and, VIVA. is worse inclic to di-
vlSiars among oar conS;itn ,1ts wha'i TIL:
come 10 vote upon t. fear i: will nr it::, -
slblc to unite them upon it II the views OF
some Of our friends on the other side had oh.
taincd, and this Convention had, at an earlier
dsv, before the President proclamation, a'ar
ed I'LL ordinance OF Sec.Sslrn. ~ nv Judgment
il would have led to Il .::iSi"n cr tre State,
hereby the Blue Hid;c Of nonn;a;.., might
have become the line of division; ans "hcn ihS
ordinance is adopted, in the present condition
Of oar aitllrs, The danger o 'l.scord is nlcst im.
;ninrri. For myself, would avoid d,cord. -
The bailey that leads IL il will prove Hi:asIT
and fatal consequences viii ehS.ia 10 the con-
monwealh. II uaanin.ity, or soIn";h'n.: ap-
preaching to it, coull BE- Obtained for i!nul2
iia,r secession in this Convention. 'fn;,''i
r.1,i!l" vote for toe ordinance noiwit'.&: :a",;in.
the objections that have been siitcG, Ht il
thought the people Of the Stat" were n;:;'h IS;
to it. so ;.s 10 make lhe iat.itulrl;inH =: ~.
polls ,!ccSivc, would icrl li.r less !eru:,'arc"
to the eynre:Slons. iins fear divisions ani
ti:c;t tai Consequences.
7'ni:. in.'st opposed 70 the :,,eaiiTc G' :ecc'
sio" IL: !etih@rS l''i!: ,i;" naSicrn lnn;i: %:
i;ir >.a.e--art. content - aN,d: by the :i"-:Ir
lal.nn al al the border S;at.s in cnnnr Il
!arS States together dac!ar. for seccssi"h. hey
and if,riE constituents vii! acqulcscc, and they
will vntc HOW Tor such consultation. Why may
not Mi agree tu conY0kc these States in c"iln-
c:l : the time required cannot be long, and il
NEED nnt ne lost. We can improve The time by
purchasing supplies Of those arms aud mani.
ti",,S tl,at We ard they stand so much in nerd.
In this way sc may obtain union 1t nnli,c we
NAV sa'isi: those WIN otherwise wGmih ne dis
satisfied, and '!"vr "Td mrrc surclc and safely
u La. md winch The mos; ardent Scc;SSiUniSt
has nearest at hcart. Lhlrk i: :: strait o!!E rnad
80 i"c:s.siou and | am frank ~ avnG il. |
know no: What ufIrrS expect from 4 bor':cl
State Conference, hui FOR lnySclI ! c;.nnot be-
iieve tht; Intelligent and patriotic representa-
;rcs OF the i,crdcr slave States "uiel i,c forced
t. cnnsr,t 10 *nhn"ri,nare the great interests o!
their Scct;na To .ne 0vrrbe::Ting dInma1t ma
iurisy ,f u:e North. | should expect irrnl
;ur. conference s.l:nfr*': arii :Iti;h-ratinn,
forecast AMI IrcpaIatium. ;vr III ;::y Judgment
;br ucr, >ion Ir4nIrcs these.
Between !ha ,So p1iIcics, this Convention is
,!ivirrd--::anc are for instant SaacSsinn ANA !lr
GJnptian 1T ~, md'nancen others arc oppoarti
70 secession, but will ac1'licSce IN The dclerml.
nai:ca OF harer .;.!ie Conference. Now Our
action il tie g:lniae:; is not to DC final. IT the
ordinance Of SECESSION b. s,lor;rd it, must lie
submitted - the ratification ui The popular
vote, an! theD this body mnst r"ass"rnhe III
Carry the mandate oi the people IH,U effect.
1t wurill be- just rs well. ihrrri'rr. tn submit
the question nj secession 10 De voted upnn as
the ordinanc, itself. Now, an mostanxlnus tr
avoid diversions among ourselves am most tc
sirons OF s.cing tins Convention agrct :, !u,! !
up"n s,fic plan Of actin; have Lrc >t'ong".t
rtpugcauce 10 the exhibition Of ourselves y!
div1d-I par!.nS; n!l IL harmonIZe this cnn:li::
ard pruiaOtc spirit OF union and mutual '0n
ct.ssion, let ns agree 10 submit both policies 20
tho people III n way that they may select with
n,it embarrassment between them. Those Thn
pre:p' tho poiicy of lmmc1iatc seceSSion Can
vote ihriT Instruction to The Crrven,inn. while
those VITO eier he 9uic" 81 consul anon aud
concert ci .ct.u with the other bor;irr States
ca!, vote their instruction in like manner.
can see no inst AFFECTION I" this plan; it. deals
ia,ily hy the rccp:e, an! presents the question
FOR differentiation in manner TO he under
stnnd hg I'll. u a ms joylty voie Ior the ord
nance If secession, tbe Convention will rrms
scn,bic Immediately and carry 1t lnlp -lf.ct-
pr It The majority be ,or Consultation the step,
ueces.a,y IT, attain that end can be taken. lF
M way an: :ling ipe lust by il to the Gauss
OF secession.
have prepared Il paper containing ,h'
sci.c,ur l., when J. have adyertud, and propose
j. aS u substitute for the proposition Gf rh
gen,lcman from Montgomery jMr preslonl.
Rcrr&tliug that have consumed So 1Uurn @
t!." time hf the Convention, / submit the sub
sitn,c, aud ask that it be read by tho Gierk.-
The Clerk read the substitute as follows:
Whereas, at the election held pursuant 4
thr act passed the Iath January, 1861, provi
: ding for the choice Of members Of this Con
vrnt,on. il was determined hv Ihe people o
this Golnmonw eaIth that any action of thl
, Convention dissolving the connection Of thl