Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-03-12
From the Dispatch OF the 9th s,,st
speech Of Hon. VIM. G. Riye. Iss, Nssn,

to
In consequence of the encouragement that the
Hon. VIM. 9. Riyes would address the citizens
q very large number of persons assembled last
night at the African Church. Mr.. Rives. after
being introduced to the audience by Marrnaduke
johnson, Esq, proceeded at once to review the
action OF the late Peace Conference, of which he
was member, expressing his confidence of con.
viDciDg bis hearers that the proposition which
had been denounced as an abortion, sham and
q delusion, was the most complete and fairesI
settlement of the controversy that could have
emanated from any quarter whatever.
| He gave his views of the several provisions
embodied in the Conference Propositions, exam.
ming each one in erteaso, and declared that they
covered every particle of ground, in the mos,
satisfactory manner, occupied by the Crittenden
propositions, and gave even more guarantees for
the security of the South.
| The grave questions now agitating the country
could never be settled by politicians. 1t was, be
said, their interest to keep alive the agitation,
while it was the interest of the people to bury ii
forever 1t was that the Peace Conference
body coming fresh from the people-had produ-
ced result SO suspicious. The voice of the PEG
| pie must speak out and command the peace be-
tween the warning sections. He repudiated the
idea that all that had been gained by the Peace
Conference was to be lost. If the people would
look calmly at the propositions they would find
that they contained loyal and manly adjustment
of the difficulties. Congress had not given the
| reference which the Conference requested, but
the people have power higher than Congress.
The Virginia Convention can ask other States to
take the proposition as a peace offering. He
thought there was mo- difficulty ia devising ways
and means to bring the matter before the people,
1t would be acceptable to the border States, and
he had assurances from Pennsylvania and New
York that it could be carried there by immense
majorities. Was Virginia, then, when in sight
of the promised land, to bolt out and join the Sc.
ceding sisters OF the South Mingled cries of
mo" and "yes". Virginia had played great
role in history, and it was not now in store for
| Der to play a smaller role by coming in as the
''tail of the Southern Confederacy." 1t was hers
to reconstruct the Union, and bring back her En-
| ring sisters. He alluded to the past history of
Virginia, and to her great sacrifices in building
up the Government T; and paid an eloquent trib-
ute to her early patriots, who consecrated the
best wisdom OF their lives to the construction of
the fabric. She now has the moral power to
save the Union, which no other State possesses.
She is the acknowledged leader of the border
States. She holds the banner, and they follow
where she leads. lie alluded to the geographical
position OF Virginia, and asked if she was to be
OEdSSCu Out NJ LILO DluUiuS VI Ou6 OtdL6-h
State which delights to taunG aud insult her,
He had no ill feelings towards our Southern sis
tiers. He wanted to see them come back, but it
was well they should understand that Virginia is
mistress of her own destiny. (Applause.] He
said this to one side as we'll as to the other
She would not be precipitated into secession by
one SIDE, nor irtimidated. by threats of Federal
power on the other. [Applause.I She stood at
the head of the Macedonian phalanx of the Dor
der States; and in reply to the question, Where
should Virginia goa he would say, go neither
North nor South, but with them.
He thought if the Union was broken up there
would be several Confederacies. His fortunes
were with Virginia, and he would sink or swim
with her but he had no idea of her being drag
ged into any new connection without consdera-
ton. His closing remarks looked to consoli.
dation OF the Border States; and eventful recon-
struction OF the Union upon q basis by ther a.
dopted. He thought the secession leaders would
gladly avail themselves of any decent pretext to
come back.
| Hon. George W. Summers was then called
upon, but declined making speech. Tim Rives,
Esq, was making an appeal for the Union when
We left the house. We understand that Marina
duke Johnson Esq, subsequently, addressed the
meeting, which adjourned about II o'clock, with
three cheers for Mr.. Carlisle.