Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-08-01

next morning he awaited kilograms at the
hotel. and received one from Capt. limbo
den, at Gordonsville,
SAYING HE WAS THERE WITH THE
VOLUNTEERS UNDER GEN. HAIR
PER. AND HIS GUNS. PRESS
ING FORWARD TO HAIR
PER's FERRY.
Gov. Wise Immediately fastened to the
Convention then in session. For some
weeks previously kilograms had been an
nounced to that body, with the view of
Fastening its action, until, at last. they
lost their effect, and had become an OBJ
ject of derision. AS soon as one was
named, voices would exclaln.: "Another
Democratic alarm!'' AS soon as Gov.
Wise reached his seat he addressed the
president and said: "Mr. President,
arise to announce no Democratic tele-
gram but to say to you, and to this body,
flat | know that armed forces are now
moving upon Harper's Ferry to capture
the arms there in the arsenal for the pub
he defence, and there will be a fight or
fout-race between volunteers of Virginia
and Federal troops before the sun sets
this day!" And he asked the Convention
whether it would sanction and support the
movement on foot. If a hand-grenade had
been thrown in among the members it
could not have caused more CONSERVATION.
Gov. Wise said no more, but went to Mr..
Halcombe and Mr.. Geo. Randolph, told
them what he had done, and urged them
to see Gov. Letcher, and to prevail on
him to reinforce the volunteers, and to
sanction their movement. They went I'M
mediateIy to the Governors room and re-
turned quickly, requesting Gov. Wise's
presence with Gov. Letcher. He went
forthwith to the Governors chamber, and
inquired what he (Gov. Letcherl would
do. He answered that he would back the
movement, then, and issue orders at once.
After very short conference, GOV. Wise
returned to his seat in the Convention.
Mr.. Robert Y. Conrad was on the floor,
protesting warmly against the movement,
as unauthorized, and illegal, involving, in
fact, all the consequences of treason. and
the whole people in a war to which the
most of them were opposed.
MIR. JOHN B. BALDWIN
and others, but especially Mr.. Baldwin,
followed in a strain of awful lamentation
and fcreboding; denounced the act as a
usurpation, as revolutionary, and disturb
ing to peaceful measures, and interfering
with the labors of that Convention to-
wards compromise and Cancellation. He
asked who had assumed to instigate and
organize SO rash folly? Whoever they
were, he could not for one sanction or
countenance their disastrous and unau-
thorized action. Gov. Wise rose. and an
nounced that he, and he alone, had origina-
ted and ordered the movement, and as
sumed its whole responsibility; and he in
quired of Mr.. Baldwin whether he would
hot bn ~
was on the march, aid the people, who had
waited on the Convention oolong in vain,
in Selling arms for their own defence. Mr..
Baldwin said that he could not, and he
hoped the Convention would not partake
in any such fearful responsibility. 1t was
not the act of the people, and those who
had assumed to act for the whole State,
must, if they made for themselves bloody
bed, lie upon it and take all the conse-
quences, which he apprehended would be
sad and fatal. They should not have his
aid, OF sanction, or countenance. AS yet
it was not known to him or the Conven-
volunteers were composed. Gov. Wise
then rose and said: ''Mr. President,
have often heard Old Augusta boosted Of
as the heart of Virginia. Heretofore l
have been content to acquiesce, by silence,
in this claim Of her prominence over
other members of our body polite, as a
sort Of political. if not poetical license,
for I always accorded her the highest
rank among the sections of the State. but
now knoao-
FEEL IN EVERY FIBRE OF EVERY Elk
TREMITY OF MY BODY THAT SHE Is
THE HEART OF VIRGINIA.
feel her grand and noble pulses throb.
b1ng through my every nerve, and kind
ling emotions in my heart of admiration
from Augusta (Mr. b. that the patriotic
volunteer revolutionists, whom he con.
signs to bloody beds, are his constituents
of Augusta-bis friends and neighbors of
Staunton. They are the men who are
marching under my orders to take up their
own arms for their own defence! Will he
not back their intrepidity, and make sure
their defence? The self-sacriicing Ken
ton Harper is leading his neighbors and
command to all the dangers and risks of
taking Harper's Ferry, and the question
is: Shall they be doomed, unsupported,
to bloody beds?"
This appeal silenced Mr.. Baldwin; he
looked aghast; he dropped his austere mien
of apprehension at the movement; and the
whole body (then in secret SESSION. was
thrown into bewildering excitement by
MIR. BAYLOR, BALDwIN's COLLEAGUE,
rushing by, almost over seats, and down
aisles, making his way to Mr.. Wise. 1t
might be to assail him, but, no; it was to
grasp his hand, with tears streaming down
his cheeks, and exclaiming: "Let me
grasp your hand! I don It agree with you!
don't approve your acts! but l love you!
love you'll" Soon the Convention adj
journed. The proclamation had been full
minated, and secession was declared. Har-
per's Ferry was taken the next night, and
also, the powder magazine at Norfolk.