Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-05-07

W I'LL IllC wv Iii hIlu plppD1telOl! pi -
posed in this body-border State PROPOSE
tons and all-shall fail. In other words
that we are hcl plrss i'll tic grasp of abol-
tionism. 1t is difficulty then which. as
we may have to meet it, We should look in
the face and bo prepared for it. | hope
that it will DC found more imaginary than
real. If Virginia should join the Southern
ConfcderRcy, should hope there would BE
40 difficulty, in case Of danger, in marching
an army from one to the ether through the
Southern and friendly States still in tho
old Union. and that while those States
would resist the march Of Federal army,
the Spirit Of their people: Of their imstitu-
tions, the feeling Of Southern fratcrnitY,
the principle Of honor would prevent their
opposing the march Of Southern forces from
Virginia to the Confederate States, or from
the latter to the former. Besides, it is to
be hepcd that Southern navy will STAR;
like magic into life, by which her troops
Gun be transported where they may bc
needed. Then let Virginia go with her
Southern sisters, and in concert with them
demand her rights Of the North. We have
already sufficient evidence Of the inability
Of Virginia, acting singly, to obtain proper
guarantees Of the North and its abolition
government, and Of the ndisposition ofthc
North TO acceIe to the demands 0: a dis
united South in the failure tho Peace Con-
ference inauguratcd by her, Of the Crittcn-
den propositions, and Of the various other
propositions Of peace offered by Southern
men, all of which were voted down and
branded with scorn.
Though we contend that the Peace Con-
grcss propositions were IL virtual surrender
Of Southern rights, and point to their fail
ure in Congress TO show that the North is not
willing even to give lis part Of our
rights, the distinguished gentleman from
Augusta. (Mr. BALuwIS,) says we are
estoppr.i in any reference 10 the suhjec; be-
cause the Virginia Senators, Hunter and
Mason, voted along with Seward against
the propositions, but the answer is plaln.--
Seward voted against the report. because
it gave the South more than he was will
ling it should have. Hunter and Mason
voted against it because it gave tho South
less than its due. Does any human being
suppose that Seward voted against it be-
cause it gave the South too little, or that
the Virginia Senator's opposed it because
it gave the South too much: The bare
statement Of the proposition is its own best
rrfutalion, and there is an end oft.
confess, Mr.. Chairman that my hopes Of
Il reconstruction Of the old Union are slight
indeed. fear that separation of the
States is eternal, but am convinced that
if there is any hope Of reconstruction, il
must be from the prompt secession of Eir-
ginia, and her union with the Southern
Cunfederacy. OF one thing | ain certain,
after the terrible ordeal through which the
country has been carried and is now pass
ing, the Gulf States will never return with
out constitutional amendments, securing
them thorough and absolute equality with
the North. 1t is vain for any man TO tell
me the Union can be reconstructed with
out an utter abandonment Of those prlnci-
pies founded in inequality, injustice and
wrong but which are the very existence
Of the free soil party. That there will be
such an abandonment, is almost hoping
against hope; and almost equally futile Is
the hope that the gulf States will return oil
any terms. But, iflnraculously: almost, the
free soil party, from q returning sense OF
justic. ahnuld b. willing to accord us tais
equality, nothing but union Of Virginia
with the States Of the Southern Confcdcra-
cy will bring them back. My distinguished
friend from Halifax, who last addressed uS,
(Mr. FLorRHoY,) referred 10 the proud
position Of Virginia. lie told US in co-
Gucnt terms that at her command the gov
ernmcnt had stayed its hostile hand against
the South. Ny heart responded TO every
sentence Of his beautiful eulogy on the
old Commonwealth, for am one Of those
who so reverence and love the Old Do
minion, that even when dissenting from
her line Of policy, my tongue will utter
nothing in regard TO her, unless coucheG
in the most humble and respectful terms.
such as dutful son might employ to-
wards an aged, vencratcd, adorcd mother.
If, in the sentiment Of my friend, her po-
stion was proud, noble, glorious, when
acting singly, what would be her attitude
when, assuming her ancient aud natural
leadership which she has been implored to
take, she marches at the head Of the glorl-
Gus Southern column? She would then be
entitled to address the seeded States, and
demonstrate with them III the spirit Of an
elder sister-she could say TO them, sisters
| have left the house OF your enemies and
are with you in the house Of my friends
| ask YOU not to abandon single right or
= solitary principle Of honor-l will resist
the invasion Of either, with you, to the
death. am prepared with you TO lay
down platform, an ultimatum OF amend
lucnts to the Constitution, giving you per-
feet equality with the North and sccuringiu
all respects your full rights--if these arc
denied, with you ignore the old Con-
fedrracy forcver-but if they are accorded
TO us, will you not 20 back with me, re-
construct Il once glorious Union, and, for
getting the bitter recollcctions Of the past.
rest again with me under the shadow Of
that flag, which has made our name so re-
spectacle, glorious and renowned among
the nations Of the earth; For my own
part, much Us have loved the old Union and
would love it now, freed from oppression
and wrong, think We have no safety in Ii
unless these seeded States return. llnv-
ing ranged ourselves with ''."In we would
90 back when they return; lad if that Is
never to be, then we should remain under
the wise Constitution Of the Confederate
States, with powerful allies. and not be re-
duccd to the weakness, Ia" Impotence OF
being alone IF all the slave States will
not iuin the Southern Confcderacy, would,
at least, make it as strong VIC can by the
addition OF Virginia. The .;orthcrn States
will then sec the result, if they cannot
the guilt OF their acts, that
the subjugation Of the Su@th is hopeless
and, (harsh!y as it may crate on their
naughty and guilty pridc) that auless the
war on our institutions is ended, and our
equality admitted every where, and every
whore around our property as around
theirs is thrown the protecting agis Of the
law, the Union is gone forever. The eter-
nul principles enunciated in three short
words may reconstruct the Union; they arc
truth, justice, equality-nonc other ever
will. Then, sir, favor the prompt seces-
sion of Virginia. This brings me to an
c examination Of the report Of the Commit
tee on Federal Relations, which l shall
make with great respect and regard for
shc gentlemen who compose the Committee.
Looking, as it does, to other modes Of re-
dress than tho prompt RESUMPTION by Eir-