Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-02-18

" inc not statcu-put II gcncfaly
supposed that called for the purpose Of condemning
and denouncing tho action OF the Senate OF the United
States in relation the insulting libel upon that body
which recently appeared in the columns Of the Washington
naona libel utterly ndciensibo in its character that
NOT ONE OF the Senators who voted sganst the
resolution depvng the editors Of that paper of the
tesy OF scat within the Senate Chamber dared
ton approve IL. but which they all condemn either by
unqualified denunciaton mild censure of its author
by silence scarcely less expressive and emphatic
Aud yet, is not strange that gentlemen who affect
much for the freedom OF the press, have
word say OF its centousness the efficient
agent OF iis subverson, it shall be subveried
it surprising that they have word Of Tor the
bold attempt to lash honorable Senators into
render Of constitutional opinions, the behes Of the
Executive
But let us return 10 the proceedings Of this meeting of
which interested spectator.
As 1t had been organized, by calling Col. John
Rutherford OF this city the Chair aud appointing Mr.
William r. Drinkard, of Petersburg, Secretary, Mr..
Washington Greenhow rose, and after announcing that
information had been received that the vii.
mot proyiso insulting, and wsnionly aggressive
upon rights and safety Of the South had been engrs
Cd by the House of Representatives the Three Million
Bill by OF IL to l05 presented series Of admit
rably resolutions strongly denunciaioy OF that
sure which he urged the meeting (the hst that had
sembed the information had been received adopt
e remarked that having been behind the scenes and
the notice by which called having been silent the
sabecI, he did know certainly for what purpose this
meeting had been conveued-but whatever might have
purpose the subject introduced by himself,
touching does the most vital interest. OF the South,
was OF infinitely greaer magnitude aud importance.
The consideration OF these resolutions opposed by
several gentlemen, all Of whom expressed their
the sentiments they forciby embodied-among
ihsm Mess Wallace OF Fauquer, Robert G. Scott PM.
lap Mayo and s ID. Denoon OF this city, Mr.. MeMuen OF
Scott aud Mr.. Daniel Of Prince George-hrsi, on the
ground Of her rrelevancy and secondly, because
not party topic and ought be considered therefore
al a mere party meeting. Their consideration and adop
eloqueny urged by the and by Messrs.
aud Giles OF this city, Anderson OF Prince Edward
Tszswell Taylor OF Norfolk, and others Mr.. Goodson
moved to lay them uPin the table; which, after long
and spicy debate, in which the line Of division between
the different stripes" to expressive lermI
broadly marked negaIved by OF 81 o e.
amidst Of extraordinary disorder and confusion
We shall pretend give SKETCH from memory,
OF the leading points OF this interesting discussion. But
refrain from noticing the emphatic declaration
OF the member from Prince George, Mr. Daniel,l that,
important the great subject which Nj. Greenhow's
resolutions referred might bea subject involving the safety
&ei the rights OF the SOuthyet tic principle in
golved the Of the Senate towards E6io,s OF
the Union was his opinion, equal greater mag
nude aud interest. We confess that we were utterly
n,oundcd by the annunciaon OF such sentiments and we
disposed attribute it IL the OF reflection
aud 10 the sudden excitement debate and presumed that
he would himself voluntarily reiract qualify it-unul
aeT period OF tue evening, reply the indignant
aud bSrnng commentary OF Mr Caske, deliberate
ly re-assered by the member from Prince George The
one he said, question OF propery-the ether
question affecting rights freemcn And what
he asked property IN comparison with those rights So
ccumscrbed the vision Of that gentleman in reference
great question. in the decision Of which is involved
only and vital rights OF the people Of
ihe South but the integrity OF the Constitution, and the
Onion OF the States So broad IL its scope when COM
paratvey paIry controversy like that between the Senate
and the Editors OF the Union, infringing no rights what
ever and having about much connection with the ber-
VI the press it has with the price Of cotton, mag
cd INFO question Of principle, overshadowing all
others in the magnitude Of the issues involved
Finally the meeting "got rid Of this grave question
which proved such apple G-ood, by adopting resou-
lion, submitted by Robert g. Scott, Es. expressing de.
cded appreciation Of tie sentiments expressed m those
fered by Mf. G;eenbow, but the same time declaring
tbat the question involved is Of character so grave
and render it unfit for mere party ac-
nOn-and therefore referring them 10 committee OF TWEEN.
~ be appointed by the chair and consist Of an equs
number Of 10th political parties. with Instructions 10 report
to MEETING OF THE PEOPLE, to be held at tie
Capitol Saturday evening Subscribing to the
opinion that this Is 4 question in which a. party dstDe.
policy, must OF Necessity be merged think that gh
destination given the resolutions Of Nh Greenhow-
but God forbid that should be induced entertain that
opinion By such considerations those which were urged in
debate BY Mr Daniel Of Prince George IL Is because the
question involved ia the WiImgt proyso is Of paramount I'M
poance, uanscendng all others tie magnitude of ID,
po.yble consequences that are in favor Of the UNITED
ACTION Of the Southern people upon t-an5 not because
1t h Of svJo, dnsfe interest that really trivial question
which seemed swell into such proportions, as
the indignant eoquonGe OF Mcssrs Mayo, Daniel MENU.
len and Denoon portrayed its enormity
About 10 o'clock, tho meeting, dsembauassod by the
reference Of Mr. Greenhows resolutions up the sub
jeci for the consideration Of which had been
Mr. Daniel Of z. c. submitted preamble and resolution
setting forth, strong language the danger the berty
Of the pfoss" consequent upon the withdrawal from the
editors Of the Union Of the courtesy Of occupying pr
viegod scat in the Senate Chamber-though the mere
statement Of the case IS the most powerful reuiaion If the
ludicfous assumpton-whch 1t condemns in unqualified
terms. A. as they read, Mr. Uaryio of Amelia
proposed their reference to committee Of iye-rcmark-
ing that 81 probable committee might put them in
shape which would enable HIN to vote for hem which in
ihsi. present form, be could do This remark was
gestcs with shout Of deIision, and seeming stenpt
prevent his being heard but Mr. Harye al ono,
told tt- iasoiioe that he 10 be silonced by
such meaus--Snd nc preceded IN an able and lucid
manner, TO demonstrate that the freedom Of the press
in involved the action Of the Senate
u might, indeed, be question whether tho offence
was of 90 grave character q call for this
exercise of IT. power-bui the power lse,f was ON.
doubted and might, suitlble ocra.ions be rghusiy
exercised. The attempt to identity with The sodiion
law wss absurd and ndcuous. No law had been paced
proposed abrdgng the freedom Of the pross-and the
ediors Of The Union free and unuammcled now a.
They before they deprived Of the privilege hese
toofc extended 10 them. Mr. II. referred, with great en-
uIHnia and n sea-t, ...
Congress the reporters Of the Now York Tribune nod been
expelled by mo House Of Reptescntativ cFand Tor WHAT
Was Tor an indRny offered 10 the Housei Wac tor on
npniau'n Of treason agnns majority Of be- members 2
No but simply because vt be letters. he bad held
one Of them 60 rdoulr by stating haiti was bic habit
% csran hour OF the day retire behind The Speaker
car - lfn'i un Sigssges! Who then. planned hot
che sacfcd rights of the press bad been invaded Who
proclaimed hpf blow he'd been aimed at its freedom ?
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