Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-19

|
be stricken out. He made point Of order
that the resolution was not consistent with the
rules adopted by the Convention.
Mr.. r. Y. CoSRAn.-I respond to the point Of
order lust made. had understood that few
minutes ago the Convention reconsdered the
vote bv which they adopted the rules
Of the House of Delegates. There are now no
rules in force. I shall address myself for n
moment to that resolution ! am surprised,
not only at the character OF the objections
| which have been made to this resolution, but
that any objection should have been made at
all, although don't mean TO say that such OBJ
! iectonS, to some extent, are not well founded.
The truth is, | did not anticipate them, because
had no such purpose in drafting that resolu-
ton ~ has been imag ined. 1t is a mistake on
| the part OF both gentlemen that it is intended
to suppress debate. suppose it would be
competent for gentleman, when the report Of
the committee came in, to debate it as long and
lis fully as he desired; but think that the de-
lay which the gentleman from Princess Anne
| (Mr. WIsE) referred 10 would be best avoided
by not having the debate until the committee
reported. | am as much impressed with the
momcntous character Of the crisis that is now
upon the country, and that the action Of Nir-
| GINA should be as prompt as is consistent with
due dciberation, Us the gentleman from Prin-
cess Anne can be. 1t is with a view Of avoid
ing debate that proposed the resolution, and
| ain now disposed in Difference to the judg-
ment Of the gentleman from Princess Anne, to
acquiesce in the amendment.
| Mr.. WisE-Wilmy friend allow me 10 make
two notifications, which will, perhaps, answer
the purpose? | admit the force Of his remark,
that debate upon the preliminary question would
be the longest clongation Of debate. That be.
ing So suggest that when proposition is Of
Irrcd that objection MAY be made, and that de-
bate upon the part Of the ohjector, giving the
reason for his objection, may be limited to some
specific time. would suggest another moditi-
catiou which is, that this committee be not
given lis own time to report, but that TINS COM
mittee of twcnty.one should, from day to day,
be compelled to report its progress, and to as
sign its reason for delay succnctly by its chair
man. 1t should be given maximum tirae IN
which to report. or course the Convention will
have power TO giveit more time from day to day.
| | am anxious that some modification should be
made which would put the spur to the commit
| tee.
After brief pause in the proceedings, the
| following resolution was agreed upon by Mr..
WISE and Mr.. CONRAD and submitted BY the
latter in lieu of the one which he first offered:
Resolved, That committee TO consist Of
twenty-one delegates, selected from the differ
ent sections Of the State, TO be termed the
committee OH Federal Relations, be appointed
by the President 10 said committee all reso-
utions touching Federal relations, which shall
be offered in this Convention, shall DC referred;
and it shall be their duty, from day 10 day, TO
! report to the Convention for its action.
The resolution was adopted
Mr.. GRAY offered resolution Of thanks To
Mr.. WV. F. GORDON, Jr., for the handsome
manner in which nc discharged the duty OF
temporary Secretary.
The resolution was adopted.
! Mr.. WILSON offered the following resolution,
Which, being objected to by Mr. CLEMENS, was
| laid over, under tie rules.
| Resolved, That the Virginia commissioners
| 10 the Peace Congress, now III session in the
city of Washington, be respectfully requested
to report 10 this body, at their earliest conve-
nience, whether in their opinion, any result
acceptable to Virginia may be expected from
the deliberations of that body.
Mr.. JOHNSON nominated Mr.. Wyatt NJ. FL
lott for Printer to the Convention.
Mr.. DoRMAS seconded the nomination; and
none other being nominated, Mr. Elliott was
| UNANIMOUSLY e!scIcA.
Mr.. NORRIS offered resolution proposing
the appointment of committee Of five mcrh.
bers to ascertain. and report if the Hall occu-
pied by the Convention could DC so arranged
as 10 accommodate the members in I LETTER
way.
Laid on the table, OH motion Of Mr.. &. Z.
CONRAD.
The PRESIDENT submitted communication
from the President of the Young Mems Chris
tan Association, inviting the members of the
! Convention 10 the free use Of the library and
reading-roOm Of the Association.
Mr. ilAYMoNu offered Il resolution fixing the
! printers pay as thu same now received by the
| printer to the Legislature
Mr.. PATRICK, OF kanawha, made motion
to adjourn, but withdrew it at the request Of
| Gov. WISE.
Mr.. WlsE-I have been waiting for the mo.
1nent when motion for Adjournment should be
made, so that might Introduce matter which
now present, without nterIupting the busl-
ness of the Convention. wish to delay the
gentlemen OF the Convention 4 moment in
! their seats, in order that may ask from them
courtesy and privilege
! Iarrived here last night, sir. about dark, and
have appeared III the Convention today,
for the first time, and shall now use my repre-.
, sentative capacity here ~ vindicatc myself
! from accusations that have been banded at this
capital and at the capital Of Washington
AGAINST NV name in connection with the pre-
| sent Crisis.
Before [ ailude to the topics which now
| mean 10 touch, inquire il one Of the delegates
from Staunton is here. Pardon Inc, Sir, ask
is the Hon. A. IL. II. Stuart in his seat.
in he affirmative
! Mr.. WisE.-Mr. President, | am in feeble
! health with my nervous system great deal
shattered from much breach Of rest. ! have
been in retirement for the past two months,
nursing the sick Ct my family, and have
not touched a public concern within that
time. have not mcddied even with the
election which brought me here to a seat
in this Convention. have been ut home
sorrowing and suffering to hear from day to
day, by the public prints that my intended
unlawful, revolutionary raid was made the pre-
text for assembling standing army in wash
ington that | WAS heading revolutionary
party to commit all sorts Of outrages without
the pale OF law ! have been written to by
friends FROM various parts Of the North, to as
sure me that they could not convince persons
there that was not in disguise in the city OF
Washington, or tina. | was not lurking about
the Businesses still Of Harper's Ferry. | could
have told then sir, that If wanted to engage
in any raid at any time, any week could have
sent 10000 barrels Of powder to South
Carolina; and ] want 10 tell them, 1t any
thing could have tempted me to do. such
an act, it would have bosn the ISLANDERS which
have been perpetratcd at Washington upon my
reputation.
Sir last night when arrived here this SIAN
der pursued me still, and this paper was put into
my hand 1t seems, sir that debate recently
tuol place in the Senate Of Virginia, founded
upon a resolution offered by the gentleman from
Stanton, (Mr. SrvAnT,) which resolution will
ask the Clerk to read.
The Clerk then read the preamble and rcso-
luton, Us follows:
Whereas. it has been extensively reported throuSh