Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-21

him, he would vote lor virginia Iesu'I,''e 80
power delegated BY her to the Federal Govern,
mcnt, and that he was Gf need beg in favor OF
Virginia's assuming an independent position,
supplicating to no section, North, South, haS'
or West and thereby have a voice in the iof'
NATION Of any new Confedcracy.
Ed E. Orris then addressed the meeting,
and was followed by John n. Davis, ESl.,
during which time the committee made thesr
report. The committee submitted uialorlty
report to the meeting, az follows
Whereas, 4 Black Republican adninistra'
ton is now fully nsugurated, which not only
gives US every reason to apprehend all the evils
which must naturally flow from the applica-
ton of their principles to the affairs Of the
Government and the people, but threatens 10
exercise conpulsve lcrcr against sovereign
States, and thus to inaugurate war with all
its horrors whereas tho efforts Of the State
Of Virginia to obtain satisfactory assurances
and guarantees for the rights, the peace and
tho safety Of the slavellolding States have
signally failed, and whereas, in our judgment,
The tune has come when Virginia shall deter.
mine whether she will unite with her friends
or her enemies therefore,
Resolved, That the State OF Virginia should
now resume the powers which she delegated
to the General Government, and unite her
fortunes with those Of her sister Southern
States, who hive Withdrawn from the Federal
Union.
Resolved, That to this end wc earnestly do
sire that the State Convention, now in session
should, Without further delay, adopt al ordi
nance OF secession, and call upon the other
border S!stes to do likewise.
Resolved, That the delegate Of llenricc
county in the State Convention be ''nost re,
spectiully' requested 10 carry into effect our
wishes as herein expressed.
Jas. T. Rcdd, ESQ.,, submitted minority re-
port, rs substitute for the resolutions en-
braced in the minority report. ~ follows
Resolved, As the seEse Of this meeting, that
the present interests and future peace and vel
fare of this State require that wc dissolve oui
connection with the present Government; Of the
United States, and that this State resume hel
full and entire sovereignty.
Resolved, That while we do not formally in
struct our delegate in the State Cpnven;icn tc
vote for all ordinance Of immediate secession
we would suggest to him that it is the earnest
desire of this meeting, and We believe Of Il ma
iorty Of the citizens Of the county, that he
take such action As will tend 10 rc-!nrcSt our
State with her full sovereignty.
Garland Hancs, Sr., Of urarico, offered the
following resolution Is O substitute Tor the mi
norty report, viz:
Resolved That we, the citizens Of He,irico,
are perfectly willing to abide the decision OF
the State Convention, believing that the Old Do
rninion has rights in the Union, ard that they
will protect and defend them.
The vote was then taken upon Mr.. Eanes'
resolution, which was defeated by large ma.
jority, and 3Ir. Redd'S minority report was
also LOST, and the majority report OF tie com.
mittce passed by ! large majority, several
persons giving their votes against the rcsolu.
ton.
1t was moved and carried that the secretary
publish the proceedings Of the mectirs and
also furnish Mr. Wickham, the delegate from
llenrico, with copy thereof.
On motion Of Rob. Courtney, Esq, one Of the
oldest citizens Of tho county, three cheers were
given for secession.
There were about one hundred persons pre-.
sent, including Il number Of citizens Of Rich
Inoud.
\ motion was made 10 adjourn, which waS
unanimously carried.
ALEX. II. IlOLLAblf, SnalE H
o. S. TAYLOR, Secretary.
Mr. WlcgnAM-It is with some reluctance,
Mr.. President that obtrude upon this Con.
vention & matter which is peculiarly personal
10 nv constituents and to myself But, sir,
desiring always, 80 far rs | can consistently
with my views of proprlety, to comply with
every request made by any portion OF my con-
stituency, it has afforded Inc pleasure to COM
ply with that part of the request winch re-
uuircs Inc to lay the proceedings Of this meet
ing before this convention.
Having done that, have done all that | car
do in compliance with the requests OF that
meeting. The resolution Of tho majority o.
that meeting, declare that IN their opinion the
State of Virginia should resume Its sovereignty,
and request their delegate upon this hoor tc
give his vote for such resumption.
That meeting, Mr.. President, as stated in
The official account which has been read, was
composed of about 100 persons, many Of them
citizens Of the city Of Richmond. have the
honor to represent, upon this floor, constiru
cncy Numbering more than 1900 voters lr
the account Of this meeting, which sec in tht
local columns uf the Richmond Dispatch"
zee i, stated that the Union men there withheld
! their votes upon these resolutions, declaring
that they had sufficiently instructed me at the
polls That instruction ! recognize. and
intend fully TO carry out upon this floor. But
sir, have to say TO those who composed this
meeting OF less than 100 persons out Of The
200 voters Of the county of Hcnrico, that, III
der the circumstances have no hesitation ir
respectfully declining to comply with their re-
quest
Having settled that, perhsps nave said aa
much as it Is necessary that should say; and
were l politician, unquesiionably would
pause here, and leave the course Of future
events to take care Of themselves, and to be
met AZ they arise; but, sir, conceive that the
use Of lrankness and candor is one Of tue gold.
en- rules of life, which should always guide
,7rrY man in bis course Of action;
and propose to go one step further, and STATE
what will be my course under all circum
stances. In order to do so, will have TO tres
pass more Ut length upon the indulgence o.
brief history Of the manner in which have
been called to represent the people Of tho coun
ty Of Henrico.
fear that may bring upon myself some
what the charge OF egoLism, in what | shall
say. certainly should not do what might
bring that charge upon inc, did [ not consider
that it was proper TINS 10 justify myself bofors
my constituency and this Convention, for the
course have determined To pursue
Two years ago, vas engaged quietly and
peacefully in the, to lie, more pleasant pursuits
Of agricultural life, than the busy turmoil o
politics. Against my earnest p!otcstation, vas
called upon 10 become candidate in the Sena
,ora District, in which | reside. Against NY
urgent remonstrance, | WAS forced TO acccp
The position Of thst candidacy. Was elected
and i, has er1r since been my earnest elorI
faithfully to perform the duties Of that oftics
and advance the interests NJ M constituency
and hove had the good fortune to acquire the
confidence Of that constituency.
Having taken the first step. it was easy te
fall into additional steps in Tue progress Of pc
itical Ifs When the presidential canvass
CAME or took an active part in it-aad when
ever addressed sny assemblage Of my eo.stitu
ncy told them that the Issue of that canvas:
was Union or dis union. | advocated the side Of