Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-12-29
z11r SLAVERY QUESTION.

THE SLAVERY QUESliON'
rn The foIiowing article, which we copy
F'' ~. washington Union of the 25'h inst,
,,U ,~i be seen that intense excitement prevails
II WIZ W. ..at of government on the slavery ques-
81 us and that an important meeting was
uonI the Southern members on the subject,
pew < Senate chamber, on last Friday evening,
;" ,.ts the proper steps in defence of South
81 -:rb,s, This disturbance of the harmony
c., .n g House has grown out of Mr. Colts in
o. .n , to the District Committee to report
r h;n nrohibitpg the slave trade in the Dis
= Columbia. The Southern members
wv ..,od with GOODNESS and deliberation, and
I ,barocter of their proceedings, SO far as
w. ore enabled to Judge from the reports we
,.,s seen, foreshadows much frmness and
Termination, TO resist every attempt OF the
t,D,tics upon our sacred rights. We are
,rop3 10 see that party politics are laid aside
l., ii. Southern members in this important
natter and that both Democrat and Wing are
found acting in concert and harmony with
..cb other. But to the extract
THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
Shortly after the passage Of the resolution
bv the House OF Representatives, without ne
cessity, instructng the Committee on the Ter
ritores 10 report 10 the House, with az little
delay as practicable, bill excluding slavery
from New Mexico and Caiifornla-wlthout
,ecessity, for the same committee had reported
eimilar bill at the last session, in the alb
,,crn of instructions and the ma iOnty had
bue shown an impotence 10 manifest IFS hos
.I;,,, 10 the rights of the South and the COM
,,omisps OF the constitution; and when it was
4 toIIowed up by the motion to lay on the table
,be hill OF Mr. Giddings, providing for taking
t5s sense not only Of the free negroes, but of
,%o slaves also, upon the question whether
,I,yarv should exist in the District of Colum-
~, AGAINST which seventy seven votes were
D;,,oDo the southern senator's had meeting 10
soorsplt as 10 what steps the rights Of their
constituents required them TO take. At that
roso,iro a committee was appointed to consult
Nth tGe members OF the House upon the sub
ject.
Vouse of Representatives OF Mr. Colt, by
vote of 90 to IS, inStructing the Committee to
rsDOt bill, as soon as practicable, prohibit
nq the buying or selling Of slaves in this Dis
trict, the committee of the Senate saw that the
lime TO act had arrived to avert the mischief
which was impending. Upon few hours
notice they called meeting of the southern
delegation in the two Houses of Congress,
without respect OF party.
On the night before last the meeting was
held in the Senate chamber. Considering the
sbortnqss of the notice, and the near approach
Of The holv-davs, when members were wend-
ing their way home, the meeting was remark
abIy full. We learn there were siXty-eight
senator's and representatives present. Fifteen
wbo were in the city were absent from una
vo,dable circumstances, and were represented
bv friends in tie meeting; and most of the
rest were absent from the city. Several MEM
hers who had arranged to leave Washington
for their homes delayed their departure TO at
tend the meeting
The details of the proceedings of the meet
ing have not TRANSFERRED and we understand
they will not until they are officially publish
ied We IeaIn however, that Gen. Metcalfe,
a senator from Kentucky, was called to the
chair; Mr. Venable of North Carolina, APP
pointed secretary; Mr.. Atchison of Missouri,
fret vice president; and Gov. Gayle of Ala
hama, second vice president.
After The organization, Gen. Bayly of Vir-
GINA was caned upon by Gen. Foote, one OF
The Senate committee, to explain the object of
the meeting, and TO present a series of resolu-
tonS, as basis of its action, which, at the
request Of that committee, he had prepared
Dir. Stephens of Georgia moved 10 refer them
10 select committee, composed of one mem
Der from each of the sIavcholding States
which should take charge OF the whole sub
lect, and report TO future meeting, appointed
to be held the 18th of January. We regre
we are unable 10 procure copy of Gen. Bay
lays reSoutions They will not be published
until the official proceedings are given 10 tht
world. We Iearn>they are of firm and de-
eded, but conciliatory character. They ash
nothing for the South but that its rights shall
De respected but they express firm determi
nation to defend and protect these rights at al
hazards, as the only means of preserving TIT
Chion. Strong appreciation, as we are told
was expressed OF them by the meeting.
we also understand that there was grea
harmony. very free exchange of opinion
look place; but in the final resolution which
was adopted there was perfect ttnGnimlty.
We repeat, as friend of the Union-as Al
AmeHcan-as friend of political libert
!nFougbo the world-we beg the mad fanat
le' who would, thus early in its voyage
wreck the ark OF human liberty, to pause p
Let them moi be deceived. The unanimity {
Eher representatives will be responded 10 b,
The people of the South. They will commit
fatal mistake, if they draw such conclusion
as We have heretofore advered to, from tn
result of the presidential election. Our devo
hon 10 the Union cannot be doubted. 1t ha
100 often, and on too many trying occasions
been tested But, in the language of forme
senator from New York, there is point be
yond which southern forbearance cannot &c
1t 1t IS expected that they will revere the /
mon, II must not be made an instrument of in
equality, lnferiority, degradation, and oppre.
SION. Administer the constitution in the spil
II OF cancellation and compromise in which
was framed, and all will be well. But ono
depart from its spirit and letter-make it a
instrument OF oppression rather than of BILE
england you will convert the love for
which now pervades the South into aversio