The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-25

iileht as an act OF justice to the Superin cndent
OF the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, showing
that II was under his advice that the co,nmn-
n'cafion relative to the proceedings at Harper S
Ferry was made 10 the Executive at Wash
ington.
Mr.. TREpwAy said that the resolution was
not dictated by any want OF confidence in the
| gentleman from Jefferson Superintendent
| pt the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry. He believed
| the result would pitce him in the position
| which he never doubted he occupied of a true
| and loyal SirSinian. He was glad to have the
| information already drawn out, from the gem
! tleman from Franklin, that the forts were
| commanded by men who Wonld never do
! ausht against the honor of the South
I Mr.. JACKSON, of Wood, thought the Conyen !
| ton was taking an improper course III regaId
| 10 the proposed investigation. The proper
| mode would be for the Executive of the Com
| monweaIth TO obtain the desired informa tion
| by making a respectful communication to the
| President of the United States. The course
| proUosed by the resolution indicated an indeG
| nite prolongatIon OF the session. He moved
to lay it on the table, but withdrew the mo ton
| at the request OF
Mr.. BARBorR, of Jefferson, who said that
| the debate had taken sncii course that he
| hoped the investigation would be made He
| knew naught of the proceedings at Fortress
| Monroe, but the force at Harper's Ferry was
sent at his suggestion, and that consideration
| took the poison from the Executive head
Mr. CAgLng gave the reasons why he oI-
| posed the resolution. II he could reconcile II
| TO a sense of duty, he would oblig- his friend
| IL. '
| was still pst and parcel of the Federal Go, =
| ernment, and as a cons titutional man he pre-
| ferred constitutional mode OF making the
| investigation. 1t should be made by the re-
| representatives. of the State, at Washington He
| moved an indefinite postponement of the reso-
| luton. and called for the yeas and nays in
order that he might record his vote
Mr.. HARvIg, Of Amelia, would with great
| pleasure vote against indefinite postpone men l.,
and for the resolution. Not that he thought
| or believed that the gentleman from jefferson
| had done anything improper, but because he
wanted to know if the Federal Government
| had done anything intended 10 coerce Virginia
| into submission ill the event that she shou I'd
be compelled to go ont Of the Union. lie
wanted Virginia TO be prepared to meet the
issue.
Mr. WIcKHAA, of Henrico, opposed the in
definite pos tponeInent of the resolution. He
had good reason to believe that there were
fewer United States soldiers in Virginia now
than on the 9th of November He wanted to
have the public mind quieted on the subject
and to aliay an agitation that had been artifi-
cally created. by sensation dispatches, in the
minds OF the people of the Commonwealth.
After some further remarks by Mr. Tired
way, Mr. Carlle withdrew his motion. and
said he would content himself with voting
mo" on the resolution.
The question was then ia KEN and the raso-
luton passed.
Mr. FISHER, of Northampton, offered the
following:
Reso',e', That this Convention does net wish TO
lnauSurate Natlonal convention, and would not
rely an such body To afford redress for the griev
ances and wrongs Of which the South compiains
nor give such guarantees would satisfy the
people of this state that their honor and Interest
would obtain an effectual protection from such Il
Convention; but, ON the contrary, that the peo-
pie OF the South might reasonably annrabanA
that such body would reorgani1e the Judiciary
system of the nited States, and make the Judges
eeeuvis by, by the whole people OF the Union, as Mr.
ds lhey acquired me power, and that such body
would make other Innovations upon the non-re-
cosnI2ed rights OF the minority section.
Mr.. CLEMENS asked if the rules did not allow
him to object to any resolution on Federal
Relations.
The President said that under rule adopt
ed, all such resolut tions would be referred af-
ter they had been explained by the member
Offering them.
Mr.. FISHER then proceeded to advocate his
resolution, after which it referred TO the
Committee Oh Federal Relations.
The following resolutions Were also offered
and referred to the same committee:
BY Mr.. WHITFIELD, of Isle OF Wight
ReSofged, That the election of Abraham Lincoln
to the Presidency Of the United States and the APP
prehenoions entertained as to the policy OF his ad-
ministrati0n, together with the Withdrawal of the
seeded states from the Union, having placed Vir-
gInla III great peril and embarrassment, the Con-
vention should deliberate coolly and calmly upon
the course she is 70 pursue for the future
FcSofcef, That If the Peace Congress should fail
ssd"pted py II and assentedt9 by this Convention,
Sor Se nG Vrsns wsn the pHbps Of ne
slave States, will unite with the seeded States
provided the latter have not Incorporated in their
ests.
Rsso'red, That while we tender our warm SYM
patEies TO our Southern sisters, and feel crnbit-
tered by the wrongs and injuries received from
the North, this Convention should nevertheless
I2ok hrsf to the interests Of Virginia, and by
which will produce harmony and prevent discord
among Ourselves.
Resosred, That in the Judgment of this Conven-
hon, this Commonwealth should resist with all
her means, ANY attempt TO coerce a seeded State
Resored, That if the force of events shall present
the lternatlye to Virginia Of uniting either with
the North or the South, in the opinion of this Con-
vention her true position will be with the latter
BY Mr.. WILSON, of Harrison:
Resoped, That we, the people Of VIRGINIA in
Convention asselnb ed do adhere with patriotic
devotion 10 the Union of these States and that
We will do long as the same can be ner
petuated consistently with full security of all
our constitutional rights and the maintenance of
the equality of all the States.
Reso'red That il is ineXpedent and improper for
the General Government to increase its forces at
the he foT' I ar;;eHals aud doekyards, within the
limits OF Virginia or to do any act looking to war
like preparations against this State.
BY Mr.. SHARP, of Lee:
lst. BE il ResoipeG. the sense of this hody that
the Constitution Of Government, and the Union,
founded and established by our forefathers hav. |
perlty, peace and happiness to all the people of
me nniv fro Ina OF il mpr9sper1y peace and happ
time, and Will be for all time TO come to onr |
pusterly II we are but true 70 the great trust re-
posed IN us, as freemen, should not he broken |
up and destroyed except from grave and weiehtv
causes OF lntoieraoe oppression and insntIerable |
and only then after all peaceful and
rons,ituti enal means Of redress have been tried
and have failed.
I'd. That, without expressing an opinion Al to
or not State has the constitutional right
20 secede from the Union, yet this body deprecates
Is exercise on the part Of any State a. an act Of
political suicide, that would aggrayate an hun
ired fold every grievance complained Of rather
han remedy single one:
without the constitutional right and power To en-
orce all its avs made in pursuance ofthe C0nsti-
uton eStabl blishing it aud to hold all lis proper
y, everywhere, to the extent of its limits and
Jurisdiction is worthless, and equivalent 10 lust
10 government at all yet We would deprecate
nent, to exercise It's laws in the ssceding States
" to take, by force, the forts and other property
# said Government, in the seeding States. that
rnment, as au act OF policy bad in it, inevitable
esnlts !; an act nmistakeably calculated to pro-
amity that could possibly befal people
attn That whilst we would deprecate the part
! the Federal Government any act calculated or
Intended to coerce the seeding States or any of
hem, and TO produce state of civil war and sec
ional strife yet We would equally deprecate and
rom the Federal By Gfes the seeding Ss
lates, or any o. them, any fort. arsenal, navy
ard or ether prFoBpsr.y owned BY and in ihe pos
var. tho part OF said seeeding State or States |
a which act said State or States would be the az.
ueh ci ifcums tances, would be Under no obligation
}, and would not assist or support such State or
tates in a war produced by such act
5th. That the unhappy differences that now dis |
act and divide the country ought 10 be met in |
pirlt OF fairness TO all parties and settled in the
,me spirit and that. in the opinion Of this body
ie Crittenden or border States resol ltons do pre-
snt basis Of settlement that would be fair 10 all
arties, aud satisfactory to Virginia and to the |
order States Of this Confederacy.
On motion of Mr.. Preston, the 'Conyen ton
iJourned.