In the spring of 1861, Virginians confronted destiny--their own and their
nation's. Pivotal decisions awaited about secession, the consequences of which would unfold
for a hundred years and more. But few Virginians wanted to decide at all. Instead, they talked,
almost interminably. The remarkable record of the Virginia State Convention, edited in a fine modern
version in 1965, runs to almost 3,000 pages, some 1.3 million words. Through the diligent efforts of
William W. Freehling and Craig M. Simpson, this daunting record has now been made accessible to
teachers, students, and general readers. With important contextual contributions--an
introduction and commentary, chronology, headnotes, and suggestions for further reading--the
essential core of the speeches, and what they signified, is now within reach.This is a
collection of speeches by men for whom everything was at risk. Some saw independence and even war as
glory; others predicted ruin and devastation. They all offered commentary of lasting interest to
anyone concerned about the fate of democracy in crisis.