Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-23
VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION.
FRIDAY, March %,

VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION.
FRIDAY, March %, 1861.
The Convention me. at 1Oi o'clock, A. NJ.
PRAYER by Rev. DR.. JETER OF the Baptist Church.
THE QUESTION OF TAXATION
| The resolutions OF Mr. WILEY, concerning amend
ments TO the State Constitution, were taken up and adj
vocated by Mr.. HALL OF Marion until the hour Of going
| into
COMMITTEE THE WHOLE.
The Convention then resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole, the subec, Of Federal Relations and
| Mr.. BALDWIN, of Augusta, resumed the delivery of
his argument in favor Of further effort to prevent per-
mauent dissolution Of the American Unon. After
cspituaon Of tie points presented by him, yesterday
Mr.. B. proceeded to show that the people Of Virginia
had either distinctly expressed their approval endorse
men. Of every act Of the Federal Government affecting
the institution Of slavery from the Ordinance OF 81 10
the present time and challenged the production OF sin
gle act which was not thus approved or ratified.
| Mr.. WISE said that lie took up the glove.
Mr.. BALDWlN-And when the glove is taken up,
beg the gentleman to remember that the battle is just
about to begin.
| NJ. WISE hoped itwould last long.
Mr.. BALDWIN said that in the warmth Of debate,
Yesterday he had used barshness of expression not
cousOnant with his feelings, or with parliamentary usage
| lie dsclamei any intention to be offensive, and de-
| clalei that he had taste for asperities
! Mr WISE said he hoped the gentleman did not refer
to him, he took up that glove with a sweet smile
! Mr replied that he did not refer 10 the gentleman
from Princess Anne Mr. WISE and then proceeded with
his argument lie said tia, American liberty is founded
in confidence in the virtue and intelligence of the peo
ple The Constitution provides checks and balances
against administration and when grievances are to
be redressed all the agencies OF government should be
resored toExecutiye, Legislative, and Judicial II all
these fail then appeal to the people who conferred
the appeal from the servants to the masters
must be made.
Blu: for the withdrawal of the Cotton States the
friends of the South would be in majority in Con
gress and could therefore have the power to Withhold
supplies until thew compelled Justice aud safety for the
South Why have they left us thus helpless? Mr. b
abiding incidentally, TO the firing of loo gus at
Charleston a token OF rejoicing az the election OF Lin-
coin said he feared there not an earnest second IN
the South Of efforts to prevent the election Of the
| r. publican candidate.
Mr. B. referred to the recent action Of North Ca-cli
ma Tennessee and the Border States in refusing to hold
state Conventions Virginia could not unite with the
Southern Confedcracy if she desired to do so boy
in the street said that he supposed she would have TO 90
round By water But it was said that the voice anl
ample of Virginia were poen,ll and If she should de-
ternue TO unite her destiny with the Southern Couiejy-
racy the other States would follow. Would it not be
re.pectfu first to ask them f they will gOf Mr.. H..
proceeded 10 advocate the Conference Of Border States
proposed by the Committee His idea that the Con
ference should demand the most complete and thorough
recognition Of the rights OF the South, and Il was re-
fused By the North, then vel have arrow. He would
|
peaceful separation.
Sir. B. declared that The institution Of slavery stood
ligher this time in the estimation OF the Intellectual
moral aid physical world than II ever stood before lie
reoleced when il only spoken OF by Northern men
in terms of reprObatiOn No more rapid revolution has
taken place in the publ sentiment OF any country than
has occurred ir the South on this subject OF slavery.
II was az one time regarded by many persons in
this State as a political and social evil Now it
is defended most benefcent institution. The
conscience Of the South is easy In the North, there
were more p-c.savery az this time then there were
in all the South or in ali the world the period to which
his memory reverted A few airbraoed men ard old
mdds-tbe materials for fana!iCism eyeTyEhere-com-
menced the anti slavery agitation The weaker preach
ers found that it pleased the elG seS and so they went
about adding to the excitement, singing psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs. lLlughtcrl The dogs OF
politicians gent eagerly after the scraps which Tell from
the table of this fanaca Abolition party, and thus that
party ohtlned sdventtious Importance, which, 10
superficial observer, gave false idea OF Northern sent
ment on the question of slavery. Fir b knew that he
was liable TO the imputaton Of teng Black Republican
for presenting these views but he is false Trend who
does not attempt give the character OF an enemy
from whom assaults expected. 10 reply to the allie
CATION that the Northern people will never let the su6ec
OF slavery rest because they are responsible Tor 1t
elistenc Mr. T. said that if they consent 10 the amend
men t liz Constitution recently proposed by Congress
they are more re.p af;erwards for the exist
ence OF the institution thsa il tney were the peof;e (:
another nation
Mr. B, commented with severity on the gambling
politicians North and South. Has it come to this h.
asked that people united by many historic associa
tons and substantial interests must have angry
separationS Until that decree declared BY the people
OF both sections at the polls he would never never con-
sent to give up the blessed Unionl
Mr. b, then discussed aud advocated the plan of adj
ustment adopted by the Peace Congress lie concurred
in the amendments proposed by the Committee on Fed
era Relations not because he deemed them essential but
because they would stop the mouths Of cavilers. The
question of slavery extension had doomed up into exag
geraed importance because there was Territory be
longing TO the United States In which any sane mar
would carry slave with the expectation Of deriving any
profit from his employment and if it were otherwise
there slaves to be spared from the old States
Mr.. B. advocating the re-estabishmen of the line
So deg. so min when he yielded the floor for motion
that the Committee rise which was submitted by Me-
GRAY and agreed TO.
On motion of Mr.. HALL, of Lancaster, the Conven
tion adjourned
No H. CoI.n lind tha