Year: 1861

the people of Northwestern Virginia to put
themselves right on the record When the
other resolutions of instructions came up
there was no time for delay, they met the
almost universal APPRECIATION of the mem
bcrs. They wanted no consultation, or
reflection, but it seemed to be a soul
cheering opportunity to develope their
views. So, sir, before the Senators hardly
had knowledge of their elections this reso-
luton of instructions went on TO them.
The Senate had not expelled Hunter aud
Mason before these instructions went on,
along with the first knowledge of the fact
that Senators had been elected. So anx-
ious. so Jealous, so apprehensive were they
that the Senators should know the senti-
ments of this body. that the instructions
even accompanied them; and / have no
doubt that Mr. Wiley, who went on, car
ried with him the resolutions and certifi-
cate of their election.


But when Lovejoy introduced his reso-
luton iuto Congress. the gentleman from
Harrison thought that was a favorable OPP
portuuity-that this then gave this body
the opportunity of showing to the world
that they repudiated it by their instruc-
tions. And, sir, want it to be rendered
now, the very fact of hesitatiug about ta-
king this up and passing it, will tend to
fix and convict the minds of the people
along the border of the Union and seccs-
sion sentiment, that this body is Repub-
lcan body. 1t would have done me good
to have went home and said to the people:
Here, gentlemen, are the resolutions re-
pudiating the charges made upon u.s." 1t,
sir, would have repulsed every argument
in opposition to this body. But, uufor-
tunately, that it has now come to the test,
they are hestnting to set themselves right
on the record. Gentlemen may get up
here with their arguments, and say they
are in favor of this and that and speak of
tue institution nS morally and religiously
right; but, sir, it only shows that the ar
gument turns against themselves. If you
believe it, why entertain n sentiment to re-
fleet doubt upon your action. Why not,
with one unanimous voice, take il up and
pass it without one single remark. Why,
sir, the very fact that you argue that you
are in favor of the fugitive slave law, in
favor of slavery. and all these things, you
veto by your very act. had rs lief try
to make believe was IL religious man, if
would wind up the assertion by saying,
"damn religion" |" because the very fact
that you swear repudiates all your asser-
tious and gives the falsehood to your ar
gument. And ! say now, and | say it
without fear, that every man on this Occa-
sion ,rho roteS against action upon that rsSO-
luton, II orjH tell a TILE on him that he
,rW regret in the future. He never can
can put in the papers of Wheeling, will
never convince the people at large that he
is in favor of the institution of slavery
in Virginia, or that he is in favor of Il slave
State carved out of Virginia. For believ
ing that the principles of his heart mind
and soul are for the abolition of slavery,
they will not listen to his paper declara-
tlons, but they will tell him to look at his
vote upon the record. Every man here
will be judged as the scriptures tell us
the tree shall be judged, "by its fruits y
That will be the measure of his action in
future. And hope when gentlemen reflect
about this they will all leave their explana-
tiuns to go forth as they have presented
them, but will say to Western Virginia that
we hope something will be done to restore
peace to their homes and firesides. Even
secessiOnists have said to me sin the name
of God, if IL division of the State will re-
store peace to my home and let me return
TO my hilItops to gather my grain and en-
ioy the society of my family, in the name
of God give it to US. Give me peace and
you will give me liberty. ! never thought
w II
for war;" and, SIR, they are now, many of
them, lying in the brush with tired nerves
and sickened hearts praying for peace, and
for anything on earth to give them peace


But sir, when you refuse ut an opportunity
like this to pass n resolution such as this,
you are virtually saying to this people that
the South is right in her arguments and
that all these funcied charges are true
And while csir, here is Wiley with his strong
arm and his eloquence repudiating the
charge that there was solitary black re-
publican in Northwestern Virginian, yet is
it possible that this body, having this de-
sirhble opportunity TO repudinte and send
abroad their eternal condemnation of the
chmrge-that they would hesitate to do it?
hope therefore, without another remark
from me that they will take up the resolu-
tion and pass it unanimously.


FoNTAIN SMITH, of Marion-I wish the
House to indulge me in Il single word
The gentleman tells us, sir, that we who
may vote to keep that resolution on the .ta-
BILE will do that which we will have cause
to regret. / for one, sir, saddle the re-
spousibility l saddle the responsibility,
sir, of voting yea on the question ofallow-
ing that resolution to lie undIsturbed on
the table Not because am opposed to
the Fugitive SlnNe Law Dut oeCHuse uHl
opposed to the agitation of the subject of
slavery in or out of Congress. And con-
gratulate the gentleman on his wonderful
condescension in desiring to come here for
thepurpose of pleasing the esecessionists-to
lplease Henry a. Wise. He tells us that
| the action of this Convention, if it is in
certain channel, will silence the voice of
Henry a. Wise, and perhaps give pleasure


to him. will just say that Iha7e not yet
seen the necessity of pleasing Mr.. Wise or
any of his fellow traitors. The gentleman
says his peoplein Lewis county have asked


him the question if this is a Republican
body. l would not answer such ques-


ton. Ask me, sir, whether am an honest


man will not answer the question. But
| will say. sir, that this question has been