The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-10

any difference in the powers to be con.
ferred upon either body. True, the L.
cislativc could not touch the Bill Of
Rights, nor unite the powers of the lie.
gislature, Executive and Judicial. IT
anything was contemplated by conven-
ton, it was looking to the severance
of Virginia's connection with the Con-
federacy, and the opening of new and
separate negotiations with the treaty
making power Of the North. Once open
this ilood-gatc, and you will let loose
a current that will sweep with desola-
ton the last hope Of freedom from this
continent. Had we not rather bear these
ills we have than fly to others that we
know not Of How long wi1l it be after
this convention is called before the cry
will 90 forth, and reconstruction or no
reconstruction become the watchword
| of these dangerous times? No harm to
trust the people as gentlemen say; but
1t is terrible harm for Virginia to lead off
in the expression of distrust for the
General Government. The people will
say it, the army will say it-Virginia is
preparing to cast loose from the body of
her Confederate union. Our enemy will
say Virginia is preparing to leave sink
ing ship and take to her jolly-boat.
| The speaker never would, with his
voice, advocate the call of convention,
legislative or straight out. If other
States fly madly from their sphere like
cratic rockets, to blaze awhile, then die
ont in eternal night forever, let them
fly; but let Virginia be one Of those
calm, fixed stars, yelled sometimes in
cloud and tempest, but indestructable as
the armament from which it shines. Vir-
ginia must never perish thus.
Mr.. Staples, of Patrick, Gnterrup6ng
the speaker,) appealed to the House. lie
had never said that convention was to
prepare Virginia for dissolution of her
co partnership in the Confederate union.
| Mr.. Shelley, continuing, said it was
now too late to do this thing The Ship
Of State is upon the rapids, and if the
helmsman cannot guide the ship she
must be dashed in pieces. 1t was no
time now to change front; no time to
seek hiding place from the tempest of
war. If we arc to sink, let us sink where
we stand, and 60 down with our ship
with one triumphant shout Of defiance,
with the flag Of Virginia Sic Semper
Tyrannis-hoating over us.
Mr.. Burwcll, of Bedford, was going to
stick to the Ship till she struck or run
ashore then he would build raft Of
the fragments and see what could be
done. lie favored convention, vested
in the Legislature.
Mr. Robertson, of Richmond, said that
| only when our armies were overthrOwn,
the Confedccacy torn limb from limb,
and State from State, would he give his
vote or consent to so into convention.
Even up to the last extremity the honor
and integrity of Virginia demanded that
she should stand firm. If the Legisla-
ture be of the opinion that convention
is demanded, they should withdraw
themselves from he..possiblc imputation
of being candidates for it's membership.
Mr.. Staples obtained the floor, when
Mr.. Bouldin called for the order of the
day-the consideration of the tax bill
and the question under debate was post
poned, and resolution from the Senate
extending the session twenty-five days
from Tuesday next taken up.