Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-06-22
no position he has taken in reference to this

that every mdIvldual, according to Inc IN" u
nations, inbabiting or doing business i'll on
eneinj's country, is treated as an enemy!
Mr.. SnEFFEV.-l answer the proroaltinn oil
the gentleman with the simple remark that the
District OF Columbia is not an enemy, and that
we are as much entitled to that lItlle tract OF
territory US Abraham Lincoln ami his sale
iites. | regard the capital Gs our OWN anu Its
people as Our citizens until they have proved
themselves aliens By their y acts. They
cannot be made alien enemies by any act oil
uSurpst;on By the power established at Wash.
ington, in violation of their rights under the
constitution. The people OF the District OF
Columbia are not allvi eneuies until they have
declared war against us.
Nc. FIslEK-lf We could carry out the
views OF the gentleman, and successfully assert
our right TO the district Of Columbia. there
would be somcf force in The argument addressed
I" Us. Bat Of al tue portions Of the United
States there is mono more completely utdcr
The dominion Of our enemy, and |r all huu"'
ttat no man can do business there unless inc
has taken the cath Of allegiance To that gov
ernment, which is now dcspotic and arbitrary
iii all its relations. Ii tho individuals who
own farms in Virginia and do business in the
District Of Columbia, were not required to
take The oath Of allegiance to the United States,
tnero might be some soundDcsS in the ob-cr.
vat!ons Of the gentleman from Snyth. But
we know to the contrary. Ii IL is not SO. why
is II that SO many are now in this city refugees
from Washington. | ask, therefore, arc We 10
tolerate the presence of individuals III our
and I, or i'll our neighburhood, who have al
any time taken the oath If allegiance to the
Omitted States?
think, sir, the mildest manner IN which
we caa treat them is rs alien'eneMicS.
AS regards the conduct CT these people, |
take it for granted that those who live in
suljactinn to the dominion CT any power, may
well Dc supposed to DO participants IN all the
ac:s Of TIA. power, whether Of an agSreS
size or any other character. Are VIC toe
tolerate the presence Of these persons at a time
when they can communicate 10 tie authorities
ii. Washington every act We may be doing fur
he defence Of the Commonwealth, merely be.
cause We have a claim upon the District Of Co.
lau3ia. There are gentlemen in The Northern
States, ! am glad to say, who sympathise in
ever movencn; OF the Southern government
10 yind:c nc It's rights and IN iintaIn Its indeperI.
d:nce. u these l wyu!l ever extend the
hard OF welcome and protection; but there are
others i'll car midst VINO ere our enemies, and
deserve to be treated as such. Ii this rsSvlu.
ton is too stringent in It's character, let the
Committee rrcomtncnd what shall bc done in
the PREMISES, bat at any rate let Us secure QUO
selves froic the danger which exists from per
sons living n Virginia who are acting az, and
participating in all The privileges Of mesrbefS
Of two distinct governments ut War with each
other. | shall suffer as little as any man in the
i Co.am0nw ealIh irom the acts of SUCH ini'v;d
u,ls, BIZ: it is due 10 the State lust the 'uhj.c
should DC inquired into. though il may occupy
! :. &:iiall portion Of tho time of the Convection.
/ iherel,re nope that the resolution will receive
the sanction Of the Convention.
Inc question then recurring en- the adoption
oe TIE resolution, a division vi tie liouss was
called, ard wi;hou! crant The resol2li0a Vas
r,jsc;cd.
ADOPTION OF TIE CONSTITUTION OF the ccEFEo.
ERATE STATES.
; .Mr. MoNTAGCE.-Thc hour e twelve having
arrived, move the Convention nrocsed 70 the
consideration Of the order Of tue day.
The PRE1IDENT.-fhe Chair viii iri@ I'm the
genil:tnat tna. tEe ordinance has not been re-
ceirei from the printer.
NJ. Buyp.-If that be the case, I move that
;ha n0nsi .eration Of tire suij:ct be postponed
u2.;l to morrow a. u o'clock. | have not mad
an opportunity Of examining the crdluaccc, as
Published under the authority OF the commit.
;rc. her gentlemen are, DOUBTLESS, in the
same state Of Ignorance concerning it Us my
self, and | see 20 pressing resSpns why il
should DC taken I'M ct This LINE. There is an.
other reason wiv I think it should be post.
poncd; and tina. is, that G question has arisen
us 10 The relative power 81 the Confederate
States and this Common wealth. This has been
made the su'j'ct Of enquiry by the Committee
on Federal Relations, and that committee net
having reported. ! do not think it advisable to
act upon the case before We have I'll The fac.s
before us.
Mr. aaai.rg- - should like to know ii al
.iI: :lal COPY If That ordinance has not been
communicated to the Convention rs we'll as the
permanent Constitution Of The Confederate
STATES?
Tie PGEsIDESr.-The Chair 30 understands
hsd not sent to the Convention the printed
co2i"s Of the ordinance tnas were ordered.
Mr. AIsLER.-The objection which has been
made, to taking up the subject, is as good q
month hence Gs i! is Dow. Ii We are 10 pos.
pone action upon This matter, and to wait until
every uetub+ Of this body CHOOSES to exam
ine into its merits and 10 raise such questions
rs may OCCUR TO him, ~e NAV as well postpone
TIE consideration indefinitely.
Fur one, | an in favor Of testing the sense
Of The CUnrt0l!on, as regards this ordinance,
tn. day, and | hope that this motion OF post.
poTemcnt viii! be made a test Question, whether |
II Is the will OF this Convention 10 meet the
proposition now or defer il 10 some other occa.
slvn.
desire to let the people Of Virginia know
what we mean to do, and what by a Vote Of
upwards Of one hundred thousand majority,
;hey expressed their determination should be
done.
Mr.. B9yD.-1 10 no: like 10 occupy the time
Of the Convention, but | arm somewhat sur. !
pTised at The manner in which the motion |
made has been Met, by the gentleman from
Lru,sa. have no thought Of Debating the
adoption Of this Constitution. ] GIL one e
the members Of this Convention in every way
IN favcr o: il; but | can see no rea1on why this
MEASURE Should he pressed through with such
hot haste as is, at present, manifest.
4 molten was made this morning pcstp5a.
ing the consideration Of certain ordinances be- !
cause they were not printed and distributed.
This one, together with the amendment which
| offer, IS among the number, ard yet, not
withstanding the great importance Of the sub
jhc!, tue exception is now urged in lis fa7nr,
and tho attempt is made 70 press it upon the !
consideration OF the Convention. But in my
humble judgment the other reasons to Which
I adrerted. arc sufficient to defer action until
We nave a iepart from the Committee ca Con-
federate Relations. Whether there to airy
g02d foundation for the cor t.ct between the
Confederate States authorities and those Of
Virginia, it is important tina: vi should ascer.
ram their nature. IF 1t be true that there has
been an improper Interpretation Of that clause
ot Inc Constitution which authorizes the
States to appoint ali the cffccrs Of the militia,
It is important we should know and correct
it before the adoption Of that inst, ument-
We oash, not &c adjourn until we have put 10
rest every question that can interfere with
complete ha, N my and cooperation between b,
State and the Confederate Government. That
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