The national Republican., 1861-02-18
BY TELEGRAPH.
Virginia Convention.

lore the Convention to day was the reception OF
resolutions.
Mr.. Mari, of Fauquier, introduced resolutions,
in effect that Virginia chershes q devoted at.
tachmeht to the Union, and will make any sac.
riice, consistent with her honor, to restore and
maintain it, but declares her opposition to co.
ercion, and u determination not to submit to
any administration Of the Government in which
her rights are assailed or not fully protected;
and If the Union cannot be restored on terms
honorable to the component parts, It shall be
divided.
Mr.. Morton, Of Orange, introduced resolu.
tions that Virginia will not submit to any CO.
ercion Of the seeded States, on any pretexts,
and protests against the use Of the army and
navy Of the Federal Government to coerce my
State in or out of the Union. She desires to
restore the Union, and to preserve it upon terms
of safety and honor to all its members; but If
the efforts now being made prove unavailng,
then she will not hesitate to unite with her sis
ter Southern States.
Mr.. Carlisle, Of Harrison, introduced reso
luton, that since the decision Of the Supreme
Court in the case of Chisholm rS. the State of
Georgia, and the adoption of the Eleventh
amendment Of the Constitution, we are at a
loss to understand how the impression, that the
Federal Government possesses the power to
to coerce State, could have obtained ere.
dence.
Mr.. Leake, of Goochland, introduced reso.
luton, that If the Federal Government under
take forciby to retake the forts in the seeding
States, Virginia will regard it as an invasion
ofthe Southern States, and ifthe Government un
dertake to collect duties in the seeding States,
Virginia will regard such act as coercion, and
she is hereby pledged to resist it with all the
means in her power.
Mr.. Richardson, of Hanover, introduced res.
olutions, that the national compact has been
repeatedly violated and repudiated by the
North, and is not binding upon the other par.
ties to il; that a pesceable withdrawal of the
Southern States is justifable that we will re.
sist the coercion Of such States that it is the
duty Of the North at once to concede such
guarantees as will prevent recurrence of these
wrongs, and secure to us our equal rights
that a failure to do so is evidence of an indif.
ference or hostility, which are alike fatal to our
peace and prosperity; and that in view of
these truths, we demand speedy security of our
rights and honor; in default Of which, we will
dissolve our connection with those who first
wantonly wrong us, and then obstinately per.
severe in injuring US. And, also, that Virginia
be forthwith put in a condition for defence.
Mr.. Flournoy, Of Halifax, introduced Q reso.
luton, that while Virginia has high appre.
citation Of the blessings intended to be secured
by the Constitution and the Union, and will do
much and forbear much to perpetuate them,
she feels bound 10 declare that an identity Of
, interests would demand and receive the inter.
position of all her strengA to resist any at
tempted coercion of the Southern States. That
! Virginia hopes that by prudent measures and
conciliation on the part of the Government,
and q just appreciation Of our present Difficult.
: ties, some measure of compromise may be
adopted which will restore peace, friendship,
and union, to every section Of the country.
All these resolutions were referred to the
. Committee on Federal Relations.
Considerable debate touching national mat.
ters ensued.
Mr.. Wise reiterated his policy of fighting in
the Union, and counselled speedy action.
7 Mr.. Moore, of Rockingham, opposed haste.
! dragged by the cotton States, who had acted
without consulting Virginia. He was opposed
to coercion but If the seeded States chose to
assault the forts, let them take the conse
quences.
Mr.. Carlisle contended that the Government
4 had not yet attempted to coerce the South, and
= when this was done the people would resist it
Southern Congress, &c.
= Montgomery, Feb. l6-ln open Convention
;. to day, a number Of model flags we're presented
' and referred.
% A communication about war missiles was
It also referred.
d A bill was reported from the committee rel
ative to citizenship prescribing uniform rules
Of naturalization. IL was read only by the cap
- ton.
Applications for patents and copyrights were
d referred.
r The remainder of the day was spent in even
ing session.
st President Davis arrived tonight. He wa
o, received by salutes and o military parade, ant
!. escorted TO his quarters at the Exchange Hote
o' by q large concourse Of citizens and strangers
President Davis's Speech at Mont
I. gomery.
A Montgomery, Fs6 l7.--President Davis los
10 night, responding to the ovation which greeted
st him on his arrival here, reviewed the presen
p position of the South, and said that the tint
for compromise had now passed, and the Soutl
% was determined to maintain her position, an,
70 70 make all who oppose her smell Southern pow
=. ~ der and feel Southern steel, if coercion wa
~ persisted in. He had no doubts as to the rt
suit. He said, we will maintain our rights an
Government at all hazards. We ask nothing
we want nothing, we will have no complication!
II the other States join our confederation, the
:, cen freely come in on our terms.
K, Our Sc paraton from the old Union is no,
y complete. No compromise, no reconstruction
is now to be entertained.
. After reaching the Exchange Hotel, he agai
~ addressed the crowd from the balcony, a
follows:
Fellow.citizens and brethren of the Confede
y. crate States of America, for now we are breth
rem, not in name merely, but in fact; men Q
one flesh, one bone, one interest, one purpose
of identity of domestic institutions. We hav
henceforth, l trust, a prospect of living tc
e gether in peace, with our institutions subjec
=, | - ond not tn daca nation II ,na