The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-04
The General Assembly.

The General Assembly.
On Saturday last Governor PEIRPoINT
communicated to the General Assembly OF
Virginia his proclamation converting it IN
extra session at IL o'clock to-day. The
regular session was concluded at ii o'clock
Saturday night by an adjournment.Sine die.
The two Houses will meet in extra SEES
sion to-day to consider such matters as
may be presented for deliberatiop by the
Executive, and to dispose of such unf-
nished business Of sufficient Importance
under all circumstances to demand action.
AS this extra session is entirely distinct
from the regular session just concluded, all
business left on the table will have to be
introduced as though it were original. AT
the commencement of the extra session
called by Governor WISE, by two-thirds
vote it was agreed that all the business
left by the regular session should take pre-
cisely the place and condition in which it
stood before the adjournment. Whether
the new rules now prevailing would allow
this, we are unable to say. But we sup
pose the Legislature will have perfect con-
troll Of the matter, and may, if it pleases,
adopt precisely the course pursued by the
extra session during the administration OF
Governor WISE.
All must appreciate the exceedingly
delicate and embarrassing nature of the
questions for the consideration Of this
extra session. Never before had Vir-
ginia Legislature such momentous respon-
sibilities. The people Of the State will
look to their action with the utmost anxi-
ETY.. They will deliberate under the au-
thority and by the permission of the mill
tary power of the Federal Government.
The Provincial Legislature under King
GEORGE was not so powerless and impo-
tent as are the senators and delegates OF
the Virginia General Assembly-now the
tolerated representatives of the people OF
Military District No. l." Not line nor
word can they enact that may be dis
approved by the militarycommander. The
sword is suspended over them, and the
General Assembly has become a mere
register Of the edicts Of the Congress and
its military authority. While We may con-
graduate the State that we have now SO
reasonable and considerable an officer as
General SCHoFIELD to command us, the
fact that we have military despotism as
complete under the law establishing it as
ever existed on the face of the earth, is
undeniable and should the commander
be changed, and some one of the chieftains
of the Federal army that we could name
be sent here, we would soon have vigor-
Gus and fearful manifestation of the ex-
tent of the power deposited in his hands.
Legislating as the members Of the AS
sembly must, under the surveillance of
military authority, and in conformity with
the act of Congress which establishes it
over them-that act which executes it
self-all its enactmentS must be regarded
as done under duress. They cannot pro-
ceed-if they proceed at all-in any di-
rection but in that which is in conformity
with the law which alons them to hold
their deliberations.
This is exactly the condition of the &C.
neral Assembly of this once proud old
Commonwealth. To decline to act brings
in view consequences which are fraught
with peril-to act is to drink to the dregs
one of the bitterest cups ever concocted
by ingenuity and vindictiveness.
In this dilemma we put great trust in the
Legislature. 1t is composed of sensible
and well-tempered gentlemen. They will,
we are sure, meet frankly the duty de-
volved upon them, and discharge it with
their best judgment for the good of the
prosecuted people Of Virginia. Whatever
Of disgrace may be reflected in the situa-
ton, and the alternative selected will at
tach to our rulers and not to US. The Con-
stitution and the laws are dead, and FORCE
is supreme.