Jubal A. Early, the delegate from Franklin County who is a staunch Unionist, has openly ridiculed the protesters, claiming that they wish to subvert the national government. "The enthusiasm for secession is short sighted, and likely to lead to war," he said.
The representative of Staunton, John Baldwin, a lawyer and a slave owner, challenged anyone to deny that the national government had always supported Southern property rights, including slaves. "The Lincoln administration does not represent an assault on Southern liberties," he argued, "and even if it did, the U.S. Constitution protected them." He compared Virginia to a lighthouse that could withstand "the breasting and surging waves of Northern fanaticism and of Southern violence."
When the vote was held today, the result was 90 to 45 against secession.
Whig Party member John Janney exulted after the vote, "The secessionists are now without the slightest hope of success!"
http://www.7score10years.com/index....ginia-convention-votes-to-stay-with-the-union