The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-11

11-Il-l1-N1-I15s
the streets at night with bands OF music
and called out their favorite orators at
the different hotels. Soon after the
Presidents inaugural address was deliv-s
cred, tho Convention gent g committee,
consisting Of three members. William
Ballard Preston, Alexander II. II.
Stuart and George w. Randolph, to
Washington city to wait upon him and
request him to communicate to the Con-
rention the policy he intended to pursue
towards the seeded States. He replied
as follows: Not yet having seen occa-
sion to cnange. it is now my purpose to
pursue the course marked out in the In
augural address,
When the COMMITTEES returned to Rich
| mond and reported the result Of their
mission. tho Convention went into secret
session to consider the report. While
they were thus celebrating, Mr.. Lin
coin, on the 18th Of April. issued his IA
nous proclamation, calling for the militia
of the several States to aggregate num-
bers Of 1900, for the purpose OF coercsns
the seeding States, South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Florida, mississippi,
Louisiana and Texas. The quota OF Vlr-
ginia was 2,34o. and in response to the
proclamation Of the President, Governor
Letcher, that noble old Roman. who had
labored most theoretically and patriotic
ally to stay the rising tide of dlsunion,
promptly replied that he would furnish
no troops for any such purpose, ana
added: .eYou have chosen to inaugurate
civil war;
NO HOPE OF SETTLEMENT.
The proclamation destroyed all hope OF
2 peaceful settlement. It determined the
action OF the convention. The middle
men. so-calIed, who had held on to the
Orion as the shipwrecked mariner holds
to the last plank when the midnight storm
and tempest are gathering around him.
were swept away by the overwhelming
lido of popular excitement. They realized
thht the Union had already been dis
solved by the withdrawal of the seven Sc
cecling States, and that the proclamation
Of the President reduced Virginia to a
most distressing alternative. She must
fight on, one side or the other. She must
uaite with the North in the work OF
sub1ugation, or she must stand in the
defense Of her Southern sisters. She
knew full well that If she attempted to
secede she would take upon herself the
principal burden of the great conflict
But she did not hesitate. She resolved
mat every consideration Of duty and Of
honor required her to unite her fortunes
with those of the seeding States.
Or the 18th Of April William Ballard
Preston submitted an ordinance entitled
| Gan ordinance to repeal the ratification
Of the Constitution of the United States
OF America by the State of Virginia and
to resume all tho rights and powers
granted under the said Constitution.
Mr. Scott, Of Fauquier, submitted sub
stitute. providing for vote OIL the fourth
Thursday Of May to ascertain the pref
erence of the people between immediate
secession and a consultation among the
eight slave-holding States still remain
i,.s in the Union before taking final &C
ton. After an earnest and solemn debate,
during which strong men were seen to
shed tears, the convention, on the 18th of
A1nil, rejected the proposed substitute
and adopted by q vote Of IS to SIS the or
d!nance offered by Mr.. Preston. /. 1t was
submitted to the people for ratification or
rejection. and on the fourth Thursday of
May it was ratified by a large majority,
the vote being 125950 for ratification and
2u.373 against it. It is proper to say that
the vote in opposition was cast principally
IN the northwestern counties. whose mem
ters had voted against the ordinance In
the convention. and which subsequently
formed the new State of West Virginia.
GOVERNOR LETCHER ACTS
Immediately after the adoption of tho
ordinance of secession on the 18th Of
April, Governor Letcher, at the instance
OF the convention communicated its ac-
tlOu u Lie VI SAiC NoiiLSuSieIIS
States at Montgomery, requested that a
commissioner be sent to negotiate an al
lance, offensive and defensive. with the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexander
II. Stephens, Vice-President of the Con-
federate States, a man Of remarkable
appearance and extra ordinary forensic
powers, came upon that important mis-
sion. He arrived IN Richmond on the
22d Of April, and two days thereafter
~ ffnn Of he
convention. the result Of which was the
adoption OF a treaty by which Virginia,
looking to a speedy union with the Con-
federate States. agreed. that the whole
military force and military operations
of the Commonwealth in the impending
conflict VITA the Government OF the
United States should be under the chief
direction and control Of the President Of
the Confederate States, upon the same
footing as If the Commonwealth had al
ready become member Of the Confed-
eracy.
During the interval between the adop-
ton Of the ordinance OF secession by the
| convention on the 18th of April and the
| ratification by the people on the fourth
| Thursday of May. it became necessary
| to appoint a commander-in-chief Of the
military forces of Virginia. Governor
| Letcher appointed Robert E. Lee, win
pointment was unanimously confirmed
/ and made known to him on the o3d of
April. Never can forget that solemn
/! and impressive scene. General Lee en-
tered the House OF Delegates where me
| convention was sitting. leaning on the
arm of Marmaduke johnson, member
| from the city of Richmond. He had been
| Immediately preceded by Alexander II.
| Stephens, Governor Letcher and the
members of his advisory council; Judge
Jno. ]. Allen! president of the Court of APP
| peals: Captain Matthew T. Marry, of
| Worldwide renown, and Colonel Francis
| H. Smith, superintendent of the Virginia
| Military Institute. when General Lee
| entered the hall every member Of the
| convention rose nstinctively to his feet
After he had reached the center Of the
main aisle. he paused and stood wnne
he listened to the eloquent and soul
| stirring address of the venerable John