Evening session.
The Convention, in Committee of the Whole, (
Mr. Price, of
Greenbrier, in the chair,) proceeded to the consideration of amendments to the 8th section, proposed by
Mr. Sneffey, of
Smythe, and
Mr. Campbell, of
Washington county, both of which were lost.
Mr. Summers, of
Kanawha, proposed a further amendment, by striking out the words ‘"they concede,"’ in the third line, which was adopted.
Mr. Montague, of
Middlesex, moved to fill the blank thus created by inserting the words ‘"they acknowledge."’
The amendment was lost — yeas 29, nays 90.
Mr. Goode, of
Bedford, moved to amend by inserting the words ‘"they assert,"’ in the place of the words ‘"they concede,"’ already stricken out. Rejected, after debate by
Messrs. Goode and
Baldwin.
Mr. Tare, of
Brooke, offered an amendment, which was defeated.
The 8th resolution, as amended by
Mr. Summers, was then adopted.
Mr. Montague moved that the
Committee rise.
It was, he said, now 5 o'clock, and he was informed that unless the furniture was removed from the
Hall before bed-time, the
State would be liable for another week's rent, $150. He also understood that the gentleman from
Montgomery (
Mr. Preston) had some very important resolutions to offer, which would doubtless occasion some discussion.
The motion was agreed to, and the
Committee rose and reported progress.
In Convention.
Mr. Preston, of
Montgomery, offered the following resolutions for adoption:
- 1. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention, the Federal Government of this Union is one of limited and expressly granted powers; that the Constitution confers no power upon its constituted authorities to subjugate a State or execute the Federal laws within the limits of a State which has withdrawn from the Government, expelled the civil authorities of the same, and is in the exercise of an independent sovereignty.
- 2. That as one of the parties to the compact of government, this Commonwealth has the right to protest against any such exercise of coercive policy on the part of the Federal authorities, and they will never consent that the Federal power which is in part, their power, shall be exercised for the purpose of subjugating the people of such States to the Federal authority.
- 3. That a committee of three delegates be appointed by this Convention to wait upon the President of the United States, present to him these resolutions and respectfully ask of him to communicate to this Convention the policy which the authorities of the Federal Government intend to pursue in regard to the Confederate States.
Mr. Early, of
Franklin, raised a point of order: ‘ under the rule adopted, all resolutions touching Federal Relations must go to the
Committee of Twenty-one. ’
Mr. Flournoy moved to suspend the rule.
The President decided that the resolutions were in order, the gentleman from
Middlesex having indicated that one purpose of moving that the
Committee rise was to afford the gentleman from
Montgomery an opportunity of offering them.
Mr. Preston urged the adoption of the resolutions, after which
Mr. Early raised another point of order, which the
President overruled.
[The ultra Union men exhibited a disposition to make a stern opposition to the resolutions.]
Mr. Carlile regarded them as unnecessary and impertinent, and as showing some timidity because the
Government was raising a little money and manŒuvering with a few soldiers.
He closed with a motion to adjourn, which was voted down by a decisive majority.
Mr. Baldwin was in favor of some action to obtain a disclosure of the intentions of the Administration, but thought the ground assumed would defent the object.
The third resolution, with a preamble simply alluding to the uncertainties concerning the policy of the
Government as having a disturbing influence upon the public mind, would, he thought, be all that was necessary.
Mr. Baldwin then read a preamble which he had prepared, and
Mr. Preston accepted it, withdrawing his first and second resolutions.
The preamble is as follows:
‘
Wherea , in the opinion of this Convention, the uncertainly which prevails in the public mind as to the policy which the
General Government intends to pursue towards the seceded States, is extremely injurious towards the seceded States, is extremely injurious to the industrial and commercial interests of the country, tends to keep up an excitement which is unfavorable to the adjustment of pending difficulties, and threatens a disturbance of the public peace: ‘ Therefore, Resolved, &c. ’
’
Mr. Preston's third resolution was slightly changed to conform to the phraseology of the preamble.
Mr. Carlile moved to amend by inserting after the words ‘"seceded States,"’ the words ‘"and as to the policy the seceded States intend to pursue towards the
General Government."’ Rejected--
Mr. Carlile alone voting ‘"aye."’
Mr. Carlile then moved to amend by adding the following to the resolution: ‘"And that a like committee be appointed to wait upon the seceded States, and report to this Convention what policy they intend to pursue towards the
General Government."’
Mr. Wise asked whether, if this amendment were adopted, the gentleman from
Harrison would undertake the mission to the seceded States.
He thought if he did, that would be the last of him. [Laughter.]
Mr. Carlile replied that he would cheerfully undertake the mission, if the
Convention thought proper to confer it upon him; and he would return, too.
Mr. Carlile's second amendment was then voted down, and the preamble and resolution were adopted.
Mr. Jackson, of
Wood, said he had not understood the question, and moved a reconsideration, he having neglected to vote.
The President said the vote could be taken over again by general consent.
Mr. Jackson then vehemently opposed the preamble and resolution, declaring that under no circumstances would he and his constituents consent to relinquish the stars and stripes and join with
South Carolina.
He did not object to a Middle Confederacy.
Mr. Montague followed, commenting upon the singular declaration made by the venerable gentleman from
Wood.
He called upon Eastern men to take note of the fact.
Mr. Marr, of
Fauquier, moved the previous question, which was sustained; and the rule allowing any member to relieve his mind for a period of ten minutes, before putting the main question,
Mr. Early availed himself of the opportunity to declare his loyalty to
Virginia, for whose rights he would ever contend; but he was opposed to the proposition in this form, and would vote against it.
Mr. Willry, of Monongalia, said that the people of
Western Virginia, among their native mountains, were perfectly independent of the world; but they would defend the honor of the
State, under all circumstances, He, however, deemed the proposition too precipitate, and though the design might be a good one, he hoped they would have time to reflect upon it.
Mr. Baldwin favored postponement of action.
He was anxious to give gentlemen full time to think about it; he had no idea of producing such an exhibition of feeling among gentlemen of extreme views.
It was his wish to make the proposition acceptable to all, or nearly all, the members of the
Convention.
Mr. Willry asked if the gentleman referred to him as one of those entertaining extreme views.
Mr. Baldwin said he did not, for he had distinctly disavowed any such ultra sentiments as he (
Mr. B.) had alluded to.
Mr. Jackson then made a similar inquiry.
Mr. Baldwin acknowledged that he did have some reference to the sentiments which he had expressed.
Mr. Jackson said he had asked the question with a view to making a reply.
Mr. Baldwin then went on to say that he represented the people of the great centre of the
State, who were not identified with either extreme.
In view of the angry feelings which had sprung up, he hoped the
Convention would defer action until deliberation could be had, when they might act with more calmness and unanimity than they possibly could under existing circumstances.
Pending the consideration of the subject, on motion of
Mr. Dorman, the
Convention adjourned, to meet at the
Capitol on Monday at 10 o'clock.
