Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-27
nrn.a.ts ~ : large minority. The minority,

protests OF large minority. The minority,
however, not yet persuaded of the justice Of
delivering the State over, bound, to the mer-
cies of BRowSLOw, protested against this rapid
mode of proceeding, and declared that they
could not sit in q body, small majority whereof
were determined to force tyrannical measure
over their heads, without opportunity for dis
cussiOn or amendment. Claiming for them
selves loyalty as active as that which marked
the majority, they urged the necessity of care
full consideration before measure of the char
acter proposed should be pressed to vote
Their expostulations were unheeded.s They
then, unwilling to impede necessary legislation
BY their withdrawal, tried-.tO postpone this
question, till the ordinary bills should be
passed. and for this purpose offered the follow
ing resolution ga.r III
..Resolred That this House first take up and act
upon the necessary appropriation revenue and local
bills-to the exclusion of any other measures-now
pending-which are calculated to produce discord
in this House.
This commendable effort was likewise alb
ruptly dismissed by the majority, who were de-
termined to proceed Immediately to the pas
sage of the obnoxious measure. Only one
course remained to the minority to pursue
They Immediately withdrew from the House,
leaving it without quorum, and appealed to
their constituents, protesting against the action
of the majority. Their protest is couched in
moderate and loyal terms, and clearly sets forth
the ubiquitous effect Of the bill. 1t is signed
by men well known for their constant devotion
to the Union, and for substantial character and
reputation. The first name upon the list is that
of Major w. B. Lewis, of the Davidson dis
trict, venerable man of more than eighty
years, who fought with General Jackson in the
Creek war, and was the intimate friend and
confidential adviser Of that illustrious man
throughout his tenure of the Presidency
Other names equally respectable follow. Upon
the resignation of these men, BRowNLow forth
with issued proclamation, in which the usual
peculiarities of his style are apparent. The
Governor did not think it necessary to confne
himself to providing for filling the vacant seats.
He further INDUCED in one of his customary
personal denunciation of those who had seen fit
TO resign their seats. Thus the Governor him
self seeks to aid his friends in the Legisla-
ture in the enactment of the revolutionary
measure, which is intended to throw into his
hands an absolute control over the elections.
As it is, the Legislature is left without a
quorum, and is at dead lock; but it must be
remembered that the minority, before retiring,
offered to proceed with the necessary legisla-
ton, an offer which was contemptuously re-
jected by the majority. When the real facts,
as we have set them forth, come to be known,
the public will understand that it was no fac
tious spirit which induced the minority to re-
tire from the House, but that they took that
course as the only mode of preventing the pas
sage of tyrannical measure, which the greed
of pretended loyalists had suggested to make
their own political power permanent.