The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-10
SPEECH OF MR.. HUGH W. sHEFEEY.
Mr.. HUau W. SHErrEy Speaker of the
Virginia House of Delegatcs) was then
introduced to the audience. He said:

Mr.. Chairman. have been requested to present
to you, and this vast asscmblage OF American free
men, preamble and resolutions prepared by Others
which am sure will meet With unanimous concur
renee:
s'Whereas, whilst the existing war between tie
United States and the Confederate States has been
and still is, war of conquest the part Of the
former it has been waged by the latter in defence
of lfe liberty and property, and to secure the right
Of self-government for the people; and whereas,
the President Of tie United States has recently de-
clared that there is government or authority,
either State Confederate, within the Confederate
States with which he can make any terms, and that
there eau be peace until the Confederate States
shall lay down their arms and submit to the au-
thority Of the Government Of the United States
and accept>tle laws Of the same SOME Of which
threaten our people with all that is degrading in
subjugation, and all tina. is cruel in coaquest; now,
therefore, be it
"Resol,ed, That the events which have occurred
during the progress OF the war have but confirmed
original determination to strike for our indie
pcndence, and that, with the blessing of God, We
will never lay down our arms until it shall have
b.en won. wild and long-continued cheering
followed the reading Of this resolution.
- " SeoGGdiH. That as We believe CUR resources TO
be sufficient for the purpose, we do not doubt but
that we shall conduct the war successfully and to
that issue and we hereby invoke the people, III
the name Of the hottest Of all causes, to spare nei-
ther their blood nor their treasure IN us MAMIE
TA;rdlv That We tender our thanks to our sol
diers in the field for their noble efforts IN oenai OK
the country, its rights and its liberties: ard take
ths Occasion to assure them that no effort OF ors
shall he shared to assist them in maintaining the
great cause to which hereby devote ourselves and
our all" .
f,r.;ous To hear CRYING "Come out here" "Adiourn
tn +hc Capitol Square, /" The most important men
are outside" etc; and it was some time before the
most important men" would consent to resume
their patroling up and down in front of any window
through which they could hear. and permit the
speaker to proceed.
l know full well that 1, in the list of speakers,
have been requested to iEauguTate this festival OF
eloQuence not for any merit Of my own but because
am filling an Office in the Virginia House Of Dele
gates. Unworthy as may be Of the iustrious men
is,.perhaps, meet that one who daily sits in the old
armchair OF the old colony. should be here,
in imitation Of the example Of those who occupied
it, to advocate the same resolutions which animated
fathers. Applause Yes, We are but living over
the history Of the past and conending for the great
rights Of self-goTernment which our forefathers
battled Tor for seven long years. And it, under Gods
Will, we should fail, let all the mementoes of the
past be forgotten. Let that old chair. filled by
Edmund Pendleton. be consigned to the funeral pile
Of Liberty rather than be carried away as trophy
by Yankees. iCheers I know address citizens,
soldiers and sailors from every State in the Com
federacy. am to be followed by gentlemen from
other States, who will express the sentiments Of
their people. As Virginian. Imay be pardoned for
saying few words about the old Commonwealth
God bless her. Applause. She loved the old Union
with an exceeding embarrassing tenderness OF a
mother for the child she has borne With pleading
tones she invoked peace, and endeavored to stay
the wrath Of war and it was not until she rec11yed
that bitter insult which stung her homer, and which
struck the honor Of the South. that she threw aside
the olive branch, and, with drawn sword. planted
herself upon principles cs lofty and immovable as
her own blue Mountains. Since that time she has
stood calm and defiant her brow bathed with that
prophetic light Of victory which will yet burst in
full glory upon the cleaning Plates Of her aTnor.
"Iike some tall cliff that rears it's awful form,
ovells from the vale, and midway leaves the
Though round its bass the mists and clouds be
spread,
Eternal sunshine glitters on its head"
Those reverses " have experienced are but thu
tests Of the toYtitude and deiant courage OF 4 pao
Die that has not faltered- They know the hour Of
danger, and they kn0w that this conflict is for lie
or des4h-a struggle for personal honor and ma.
eonal existence. But the arrogant insolent master
q the North committed q great blunder n he |
deemed that danger intimidated the hearts Of 4 |
brave people. There Is spirit Of fierce and stem
)oy inst the contest j. nov 10 b stern and sharr
en9 that in the words Of our President Ne ara 70 |
lex snelds, and shoulder 70 shoulder 70 into the
Daf0e for victory q death. rCheers The issua |
q vh1ch ycu, ~ Chatxman, hayS speSen has been
niFly ~ &1nfl MA6A - noe fsy q ~ frankly |
No. p ~ 49, 49,