Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-03-03
VIRGINIA REDIVIVA.
MIDNIGHT MEETING OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
DECLARATIONS, Ero.
[FRoa oun SPECIAL REPORTER.

-
DECLARATIONS, Ero.
[FRoM oun SPECIAL REPORTER.
At late hour night before last, as we were
vending our way homeward, the intense cold
induced US to make short cut through the
Square, instead of taking more circuitous
route. Darkness brooded over the city, and
nought was heard save the policeman's rattle,
as he walked his solitary beat. All honest
folks were abed and we were promising our
selves speedy trip to dreamland, when, upon
reaching the Capitol, our mind was changed
by the sight of brilliant light in the Hall of
Delegates. Surely, thought we, the Conven-
ton, so-called, is not holding night sessions,
for they have made no extra appropriation for
that purpose. Curiosity prompted us to en-
ter and ascertain what going on. Pass
ing through the rotunda, we were surprised
to note the absence of the crowd of idle freed
men that usually infest it by day, but with
out pausing to speculate on tho matter, we
fastened on, and REACHED the door of the hall,
which instantly yielded to our pressure.
A strange scene greeted us. Seated in the
chair of the august president of the $50 called
| Convention" was man of benignant ex-
preston and commanding presence, while
gathered around the clerks desk, some sit
ting, others standing, were group of gentle
men, whose grave.and dignifed bearing con-
trasted strongly with the motley crew that
daily assemble there. An indefnable some
thing in the aspect of these men awed US as
we had never been before, and shrinking be-
hind desk in order to escape observation,
VIC resolved to watch their proceedings.
Scarcely had we done so, when the occu>
pant of the chair arose, and in calm meas
ured tones delivered the following address ::
1--WE quote from memory.
"Gentlemen-The evils into which the peo-
pie with blind fury have plunged our be-
loved country, and the daily encroachments
made upon her laws have constrained me to
emerge from the best retirement which
have enjoyed for so many years, and to sum
mon you also as trusted friends and true pa
trots, to confer with me on the dangers that
environ us.
"The hope which had indulged, notwith-
standing my knowledge of the frailty Of hu~
man nature, that my farewell counscls would
make a strong and lasting impression upon
the nation, has proved fruitless and, instead
of happy and united people, enjoying the
blessing of free government, [ find dissen~
sion, usurpation and party faction distracting
the country. That precious depository, the
American Constitution, which l entrusted to
IucII CdIS HIS DStu NIOIdLcu again dlu dSdIu,
and innovations upon its principles are Of daily
occurrence. The rights of the several States
have not been respected, and the prizilcges
and immuaities granted to the citizens Of one
State are withheld from those of another, and
ten sovereign States are deprived of their
equal suffrage in the Senate. One depart
ment of the general government has usurped
the functions Of the others until, by lawless
legislation, the strongest, that of Congress,
has shorn the Executive of its Legitimate pow
ers. 4 military establishment against which
| specially warned the nation as hostile to re-
publican liberty, has been formed, and, at the
instance of a faction, holds merciless sway, to
the utter subversion of the civil law. The
people have ceased to discriminate between
the spirit of liberty and that of Righteousness;
wickedness sits in high places unreproved,
ignorance lifts its voice in trumpet-tones
where wisdom scarce dare whisper, and per-
sonal aggrandizement has superseded exalted
patriotism. Honest toll is no longer encour-
aged, and the plough is left standing in the
field while the laborer delivers political ha-
rangues. Asa consequence, the material resour-
ces of the country have diminished, the
national credit is impaired, grim famine stalks
through the land, and widows and orphans
cry for bread, while the public treasury is
robbed to foster idleness. Such, gentlemen
is brief summary ofthe deplorablc condition
of this once prosperous people. [ invite your
attention to the evils which I have named,
your assistance in devising means of redress !;
and it is my sincere hope that wisdom ,modera-
ton and propriety may mark your counsels." i"
The speaker resumed his seat and the s-
lence which cnsued was interrupted by a
tall and singuldrly graceful man, who said:
- Mr.. President-I thank you that you
have given me this opportunity of raising
my voice once again in behalf of liberty.
Sir, the dangers which 1 deserted with
prophetic eye have come to pass. The free
dom which we fondiy hoped was ours has
proved mocking delusion. 1t has fed be-
fore the demon of oppression, and our pos
tcrity are slaves. The sceptre of George
the III. has passed to the Puritan. [ left
Virginia an independent, sovereign State
how do 1 find her? Dishonorcd, and in
chains-a colony of New England. Aye, at
this very moment. nine of her sister States
wear the tyrant's fetters. When I ask the
cause, the answer comes borne on the wings
of the north wind-'Treason,' Treason ,
Gentlemen, what is treason; and to whom
has the State of Virginia been traitor?
Surely not to England; that yoke she threw
off more than four score years ago; not to
the President of the United States-he is
but the servant of Virginia not to Congress
that body could have no lawful existence
without the voice of the State of Virginia.
Again, 1 ask, who brings this charge of dis
loyalty, and in what does it consist? Gem
temen, strange doctrines are preached in
these latter days, monstrous dogmas! I
have heard 1t proclaimed from the base of
yonder monument that Virginia has no
rights to besrespected-no authority to leeis-
late for herself. no name or place in this Re-
public, and that her tongue is silenced. and
arms pinioned by the orders of a band of con-
sprators. calling themselves the Congress of
the United States. And why? Because,
finding it inimcal to her interests to remain
longer in the Union, she asserted and main
tained the right to withdraw and establish