The General Assembly of Virginia firm and United
Both Houses of the General Assembly yesterday promptly took up the important questions of the day. In the Senate, after the reading of the
Governor's Message, very decided resolutions against the coercion of a seceding State were offered by
Mr. Douglas, and ordered to be printed.
In the
House however, a different course was taken.
It was considered that in the perilous condition of the country, and the strong probabilities of the commencement of a war between the
Federal power and some of the
Southern States,
Virginia should speak without the delay of a single day. Resolutions proposed immediately after the reading of the
Governor's Message, were referred to a committee of fifteen, with instructions to report upon them with as little delay as possible.
The
House took a recess until five o'clock. When it re-assembled, the
Committee reported very decided resolutions (see report of proceedings) against the power of the
Federal Government to coerce a seceding State or States, and pledging
Virginia to resist with all her means any such attempt by the
Federal Government so to coerce a seceding sister State.
These resolutions — with little or no debate, and with only some brief explanations by members as they voted — were passed by the almost unanimous vote of 112 ayes to 5 nays!
This glorious result was received with evident signs of joy by the Assembly itself, as well as the galleries.
The resolutions, in order to secure unanimity, avoided the question of secession; but we have not the slightest doubt that an immense majority of the Virginia Legislature would maintain the right of secession.
The House of Delegates also passed a resolution instructing a select committee promptly to bring in a bill providing for the calling of a Convention of the people to consider the exigencies of the country.
The spirit manifested by the Legislature is the very best, and foreshadows harmony and union in the
South.
The first step of coercion bands the
South as one man. If the
Federal Government keeps its hands off, the
South will consider what is best, and it is to be hoped will come in good time to that condition of harmony and union which can alone prevent war, and in which alone there can be any hope of reconstructing the
Confederacy.
