Year: 1861

should 90 10 tue worid,ilat after they have
received instructions ut our hands. and
knew what our wishes were, that resolu-
tion reiterating the instructions was pre-
sentel to the House of Delegates, m lthey
refused to vote for it, and tabled it do
we not thereby advise them that we lave
changed our position, and unnerve their
exertious whatever they might be. and, by
the very act that is no proposed to be done,
say to them that this General Assembly is
now halling between two opinions, and
that there is nothing decisive in the action
of this body? 1t can, sir, say nothing less;
and the tabling Of that resolution is death
blow TO the exertion that is now making
and feel astonished that myyOnng friend
has presumed to make the motion he hns
made. But hope this House will give it
quietus that never-never has been given
TO anything except it is ny a unanimous
vote, and thus show itself ty approve the
resolutions.


Mr.. CRoTHERs-As there is nothing con-
tained in the resolutions that is thought
to be offensive. hope my friend {, ON Har-
rison will withdraw his motion.


Mr.. ARxoLD, of Lewis-I regret, sir, very
much indeed that at the very moment
arrive here, resolutions of this kind should
be presented. This body has assembled
under peculiar circumstances. The lcgis-
lature Of Virginia called IL convention at
Richmond, that Convention took it upon
itself to decide for Virginia that she had
right to Secrdc from the General Govern
ment The act of that Convention rs we
all know has been sustained by II very
large majority in this State; notwithstand-
ing the contrary opinion has been also
sustained by II very large majority in
Northwestern Virginia. as one of That
party have felt it my duty and right to
oppose the adoption of that ordinance;
and come here to-day ns a Union man,
bnt do not come here for the purpose of
saying to my peoplc-to Virginians-to
those who have been misled by This thing,
that we are in favor of adopting resolu-
tions here that would repudiHte the idea
of a compromise. Now, sir, will present
the view | have always taken of this sub
iecl: and do not know what gentlemen
will think of mc-whcthcr they will think
me secessionst or UniOnist; but | am
of this body, and come here on
my own responsibility and of my own free
will and intend to speak my sentiments
on that resolution. l regret that it is
thrust upon ne just as am here for the
first time.


When the Convention last assembled here
met, they proceeded TO action. aud elected
Mr. Pierpoiut Governor, according to the
Rhode Island decision as understand it.
The Government of the United States had
the power to decide between Mr.. Letcher
and Mr.. Picrpo,nt-


Mr.. WEST (interruptingJ-If the gentle
man will give way, l rise to a question of
order. That question of order is that the
gentleman is Standing ut the table in front
of us facing the Speaker. and we cannot
hear him as we desire to do. ,.l.


having taken another position Gs desired,
Mr.. ARNOLD resumed: The President hnv-
ing decided that question considered that
Mir. Pierpoint is tue Governor de fucto of
Virginia, aud that he had right under that
authority to convene the Legislature of
Yirginu. came here having faith and
confidence in that authority; but, sir, this
body is composed of but IL small portion
of the State, and did not suppose when
we were called here to act, we were called
here TO advise members of Congress or
Senators, to give them instructions on this
great crisis. regret very much on this
TINT these resolutions have been
presented here.


Now, sir, would ask this body, is there
n man in this House, or is there man i'll
America who, when he reflects in his sober
could say, 81 would this conn
try, and one people, should drench this soil
in blood rather than compromise You
nSk u resolution here TO pass saying to
the people who had fought for the liber-
ties Of this country, who had resisted
the iron yoke of Great Britatn-you would
even refuse to lend them the poor boon
of compromise, and thus save the blood of
Il. ,CI fat
sir, if these men in Congress from Virginia
having net as they are. it they do not con-
ccive it their own duty ard patriotism,
must small body here assembled instruct
them? They are where all things of pub
lie import are passing around them; they
know what is done in and out. Must we
call on the legislature to instruct them p
They were not elected by she Legislature
the members of Congress, ut least. They
were elected by the people Of their sever
al districts; and it is for them and their
people and not for this body to determine
what they ought TO do. Whatever private
opinions we may entertain on this subject,
it is nor our duty did not consider it
mine. when arrived in this place. that
came here for tue purpose of carrying on
n WAR and opposing compromise. Myheart
beats warmly for compromise aud the saw
ing of blood. looked forward from the
time South Carolina first. novel in this
matter, with zeal and desire, that this
thing should he settled in some form or
other. spent the wiuter i: the South.
was in Charleston the very day South Car
olina seeded. heard the sentiments of
the people there and my heart ached with
sorrow when | SAW the probability of the
dastru ton of this Union. Therefore
then regretted that the chances were against
compromise; and regret that the chances
are yetagainst compromise; but yet have
lingering hope, aud so long as l breathe,
l hope TO God, this day, that that lingcr
ing hope may be restored TO givcpcace and
qujctude to this country.


1 ask none, what benefit will these reso-
lntions have if they Ore adopted? Will
they influence members TO do more IL an
they would do? Would not they move OF
their own action and judgement? They