Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-03-26
Col. BaldWin,s SDeech.

speech in the State Convention in favor of Sc
cesslon, on Thursday last, Col. Baldwin took the
floor and proceeded to make an able and patri-
otto speech in reply. The following is the re-
port as furnished by the Dispatch;
MIR. Baldwin then took the floor After brief
allaslon to the sentiments uttered SO eloquently
BY the gentleman from Albemarle, which had
moved the hearts OF the multitude, he said he
recognized this assemblage of Virginians, called
to deliberate upon measures to secure the rights
OF the Commonwealth, as an august assembage,
and he most earnestly joined in the prayer for
light that had been so devoutly uttered. He
claimed for the county which he represented the
right to be heard in this assemblage OF Virgin
lans. He did not claim it because OF the historic
associations to which the gentleman from Abe
marie had alluded, but claimed it for the people
of the county of Augusta as living, acting body
of men. That county he might term the Queen
county of the Commonwealth. In point OF pop
ulation, wealth, position, variety OF productions
and pursuits, and in every particular, she claim
ed the consideration of this Convention. she
was identified with every interest of the Com
monwealth; and if there were extremes OF opln-
ion or prejudice in one quarter Or another, Au-
gusta county knew nothing of them. She occu
pies central position, and is concerned IN every
question that affects the rights and interests OF
the Commonwealth. What, he asked, is the
great question that concerns US here, and threat
ems to overturn the mighty fabric OF tree GOV
renment2 He wished to discuss the question as
bearing upon VirgiEia's rights and Virglnia's
honor; and from that standpoint he could see
but one single complaint so far as she was con-
cerned and that was the course of the North
upon the question of African slavery. From the
earliest foundation of the Government, Virginia
had given direction to its policy; and when it
has not been in the hands of her own sons, it
has been in the hands of those of her choice,
supported and ratified by her people. This was
not only true in regard to the Executive, but she
had controlling voice in all the other depart
ments of Government.
In all this he saw enough to show that the
Government had been administered to her salts
faction, and therefore the only cause of complaint
was the agitation of the slavery question. This
had been discussed by eloquent and able gentle
men on this floor, and he asked if any man had
heard reference to other grounds of complaint
He understood gentlemen to acquiesce in this
Thus we have it confessed that in all else tina,
concerns the great interests OF thirty millions Of
people, the Government had been administered
to the satisfaction of Virginia. He could moi
put out of mind the apprehension that on this
great question Virginia was divided; the appre
hension that there some people 10 this
State, and some on this floor, who were not to be
trusted. This was not new to him-he had heard
it for years not from abroad, but the charge
came up from the midst of our own family. He
had seen it resorted to for the baser ends of par
ty-not only one party, but all. 1t had the eff
feet of bounding on fanatlcism against us in the
councils of the nation, under impressions dissem-
mated by our own citizens-an impression that
the people of Virginia were not true to Virginia
but were divided and distracted in regard to he1
highest interests. 1t would seem as if it were
resorted to now as a species of terrorism, direct
ed at the representatives of the people of Vir-
glnia, in the vain hope of depressing, if not the
freedom of thought, the freedom of speech. He
trusted that, in defining his position, he should
not defer in any respect to a clamor which he
despised. He hoped to show, with candor, il
what particular light he viewed what was fol
the honor and interests of Virginia.
He had always held the opinion-and had
never had to undergo change such as had been
described by the gentleman from Orange, and
had not, therefore, perhaps, the fresh zeal OF q
new convert-that African slavery was right
right thing and good thing, on every ground
morally, rellgiously, politically and economically
blessing alike to the slave and the STAKEHOLDER
He was not one of those who looked forward to
its extinction, nor did he look with any sympa
thy upon any attempt to restrict it to particular
locality. When it could be fairly done, he hoped
it would expand until it covered the whole earth
as the waters cover the great deep. The people
who sent him here with this avowal on his lip
might, he thought, be considered as sound, lit
tie further South. He represented slavehold-
ing constituency, who in men and money could
compete with any county in the Common wealth
and they held it all ready, at any time, to defenC
this great and vital interest.
He would undertake to say that on the slavery
question, the mouth OF Virginia was completely
To of
on the part of the General Government. HI
defied any gentleman to put his finger on sim
gle act, in any Department of Government, from
its foundation to the present. that did not at the
time. or afterwards receive the sanction and ap-
proval of the people of Virginia. This he assert
ed to be true, and he challenged contradiction
After celebrating upon this point, he alluded
to the expressions this floor in regard to the
degradation of Virginia, and said he hurled such
an imputation back with scorn and contempt.
Mr.. Holcome here asked the gentleman if be
said this as an allusion to anything he had said
Mr.. Baldwin had understood him to make use
of such language.
Mr. Hocombe denied that he had spoken oil
Virginia as degraded at present. 1t was in allu
sion to the future in the event of her failing to
dissolve her connection with the North.
Mr. Baldwin did not so understand him, but
cheerfully accepted his construction. He desired
guished gentleman from Albemarle. He applied
his remarks to all, here and elsewhere, who spoke
of Virginia as degraded at present. 1t was bis
belief that tie destiny of this great nation de-
pended upon the decision which Virginia shall
pronounce. On the action OF this assemblage de-
pended more, in all that concerns the veal or
woe of man-n all that concerns the high desti-
ny of free people-than was ever before com
mitied to any assemblage by mortal man. He
invoked the Representatives of all sections to
join hands with one another and swear, as the
ark of the covenant of constitutional liberty had
been confded to their keeping to be true to their
trust; to register a VOW in Heaven to lift up this
bleeding country and set her tree.
MI Randolph, of Richmond As it is appar
ent thai rs genilenur from Augusta would pre-
fer to suspend his remarks until to morrow, l
move that the Committee rise.
Mr. Carlisle, of Harrison.-I hope the gentle
man will withdraw that motion for C few min
utes. and will renew it. The gentleman from
Augusta will of course retail the floor. ! desire
to offer a substitute for the whole report of the
Committee of Federal Relations.
Mr.. Randolph withdrew the motion, and Mr..
Carlile offered bis substitute, which was referred
to the Committee of the Whole.
On the next day, Friday,) the Convention
having resolved itself into a Committee of the
Whole on the subject of Federal Relations, Mr.
Baldwin, of Augusta, resumed the delivery OF