The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-20

Inc SENATE ulet dI IL IA Hii. Wv,
BERRY (pesident pro tenn IN the cnaiI.
PRAYER by Rev. Harvey Hatcher, OF the Bap-
tist Church.
REPORTED PROM COMMITTEES.
Senate bills In relation to notaries pubic.
without amendments; to amend section ! Oh
chapter TIA OF the Code Of 1873, In relation
to the bonds OF special commissioners, with
amendments subsequently recommitted on
motion of Mr. DUFFIELD); to amend the act
the Buchanan and Clifton
Forge Railroad Company {the amendments
except the cities Of Norfolk, Lynchburg,
and Petersburg as part OF the BODY po-
litic of that corporation). The amendments
were agreed to. The bill was laid on the
table, and made the special order OF the day
for tomorrow.
RELIEF OF TOWNSHIP COLLECTOR.
Mr.. CRITCHER presented bill for the re-
lief of Charles. III. Marmaduke, late town
ship collector of Potomac township, in
King George county. Referred.
ORDER OF THE DAY.
On motion Of Mr.. JOHNSON, his resolu-
ton condemning Federal interference IN the
affairs OF South Carolina, and expressing
the sympathy OF Virginia for the citizens OF
that state, was LiheH UP.
Mr.. JOHNSON offered the following pre-
anlble as substitute for that embraced In
his resolutions on this subject Friday:
Whereas the people OF South Carolina,
after years Of corrupt and oppressive gov
eminent, have, by supreme effort OF cour-
age and patriotism, elected honorable clti-
zens to control her executive and leglsla-
tive departments, which choice has been
confirmed BY the Judgment OF her court OF
highest resort; and whereas, the authors OF
the wrongs Of this State arc now endeavor-
inc to usurp that government by military
force which they failed to control by fraud,
and for the purpose Of so doing have dehed
the decision of the Supreme Court Of the
State. have occupied her State-House with
Federal troops, excluded her Legislature
tllercfrom, and are now obstructing her
Governor in the performance OF his duty,
and endcavoring to establish by the bayo-
net an intruder in his place; therefore
General johnson said that he would have
preferred that these resolutions should have
been offered 10y some other senator, but
there was reason why a senator from
Richmond should bring them forward, be-
cause the graves of many OF South Carroll
mars sons lie around the city Of Richmond,
and there is not spot in the surrounding
country that has not been watered by the
blood OF her sons. 1t was therefore the
duty Of Richmond senator to move, and
circumstances had imposed this duty on
him.
It was wise and proper for Virginia to
sneak at this time. Her sister State, South
Carolina. was suffering from military deS-
potism and ustlrpation, backed by force,
and the endorsement and approval OF Viz
pinia now would be Of material service to
Hampton and his people.
The struggle for the next ninety days be-
tween Hampton and Chamberlain would be
struggle of public opinion. Hampton is
backed by his own people; Chamberlain is
held up by the Federal troops. II they are
left unassisted force will prevail, and South
Carolina be delivered to worse than Aus
trian tyranny. Buff the public opinion OF
the country comes TO Hampt0n's assistance,
he will prevail. Physical force is limited;
moral power is illimitabIe. 49,
We may thus save our friends. The true
way to test it is to ask how we would like
to be treated in like circumstances. We
will then know our duty to our neighbor.
If Virginia was in such condition, would
she feel that Maryland, or Virginia, or
South Carolina had done their duty to honor,
to themselves, to tks, il they stood afar off,
saying, You know you have our sympathies,
but we can do you no good, and may iniure
ourselves by expressing them, therefore we
are silent?
What would he our feelings or those Of
all honorable mon under these circum-
stanceS2 s!''
1t is the duty of Virginia to her oppressed
sister to speak.
But her duty to herself requires it.
It is plain that great conspiracy seeks to
overthrow the Government. Only two
modes exist by which it can be resisted.
They are force, civil war, Or az appeal to
;he people.
AS long as Virginia is silent her motives
will be misconstVled and her intentions
Silence is vaglse-suspi-
1t has already been in
,erpreted TO our detriment. 1t is u iSeSt for
US to have opinions, and to express them
10 forecast our course Of action, and to de-
clare it. Let it be wise, brave, just, honest.
Having determined on it, let it be known
by our authoritative declaration.
These resolutions unequivocally commit
to constitutional remedies and the;
peaceful processes OF the law and public
opinion. We declare we approve that
course OF conduct In oOubu CdIoAHit, anu
we commend it as worthy Of imitation.
Those are the points on which we ought to
express ourselves. War is the ultimate resort
OF nations, but Grill war is "the lower
depth beyond the lowest deep esn which
people can rely. i.'.. =.m.
Civil war means the concentration OF all
mowers in the Executive. 1t means the
temporary death Of liberty-the dictator
ship. 1t engulphs us all, North and South,
and it is impossible to have the North en-
broiled without our suffering from their
quarrel. Therefore we ought to tell the
world that we are opposed to civil war and
in favor Of an appeal to the people.
It is an error to suppose that physical force
is superior to moral power. Public opin-
ion, the sense OF truth and Justice in man.
kind. backs and controls armies and bayo-
nets. The red wrath OF the people con-
sumcs thrones, and dynasties, and parties,
and laws. 1t destroys armies. it bends
muskets, it breaks bayonets. 1t controls
force, and when it is necessary it uses force.
we must therefore appeal to the people,
aud rely upon their justice and patriotism.
Tho mass OF the Republican party North