The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-28
IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS
|
The Great slavery and Anti Slavery Meet
ings-The Separation OF the Union.
THE SOUTHERN MOVEMENT.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Inquirer.l

THE SOUTHERN MOVEMENT.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Inquirer.]
f WAsHINGToN, Dec rs, lS4S.
The convention of Southern members of the two
houses of Congress- occupies much OF the attention of
very accurate sketch of the proceedings of that
sembsse, which subjoin, with some further par
Ex-Govsrnor Metcalfe, Senator from Kentucky, pre-
sided, assisted by Senator Atohison and Ex-Governor
Gayle, representative from Asbams as V'cs Presi-
dents and Mr.. Venable, representative from North
Carolina, Is Secretary. Between sixty and seventy
members Of the two houses, am informed, were
Mr. Bayly, of Virginia. offered series ofresoutons,
embracing essentially, in regard TO the right, of the
States and the Of the the
commend resistance, but insist upon firm main
tenance of the constitutional rights of the South, and
such manner as they may deem proper, any uncon-
stitutona act of the general in regard to
propose the appointment of committee to draft an
address to the people Of the holding States msr
ly showing the progress OF aoohtonism aud not sug
Gesng mode of remedy leaving that to be devised
by the people of the States and the State Legislatures
These resolutions, MIR. Stephens Of Georgia after
some remarks, moved to refer to COMMITTEES Of one
member from each of the slave holding States, to
port upon the whole subject involved at adjourned
An animated debate snsusd, in which Messrs Bay
ley, Stephens Toombs Foote, Pendleton woodward.
Butler Tompkins, Chapman, Morse, Holiness Rusk,
Calhoun, and Westcott. and one two others, whose
The meeting was conducted with great order and
manifested, and even the ultras very moderate
in the expression of their sentiments.
4 Gen Rusk, one Of the Senators from Texas, pre-
sumo the information which have received from
various sources must the sentiments Of
the majority Of the meeting Like those Of Mr. Cal
houn, his remarks listened to with the most pro-
found attention.
He said that some seemed to think that the object
for which they had assembled was to inform the people
of the unwarrantabe steps taken within the last few
days. in derogaon of the rights Of the southern por-
ton of the confederacy and Of the rights of the peo
rla in ha Columbia
If this were so the resousons fell far short of the
object for they did not to set out the
action Of the House of these sub
jects true account Of that action was now travel
ling through the press to all parts Of the Union.
to devise some means by which to check blind and
prejudiced majority in Congress from trampng upon
rshts Of ons Ss the State. Of sss Il: Union
How, he inquired, was this to be effected! Was 1t
to be the act Of two or any select number Of
men! Was It to be the act Of one or q few States
ppsts 20 seton All rssortsd TO- would fail
dent and firm action upon the part of all Interested
To be Of any SERVICE there must be unsnimty of feel
ing and action under the guidance Of patriotism and
They had just come out of heated political Gen.
test In which they had been divided into two
paoeno time had elapsed In which to pour oil on the
troubled waters
He did not wish to be understood as condemnng
the resolutions Of Mr.. Bayly but he thought it pre-
mature to act upon them now. The call even TO m b
not twelve hours DID, not more than two-thr of
the members fIom the Southern States were pre- nt
and action then would not only be precpitats but would
be more likely to produce division than harmon
Georgia {Mr Stephens) for his motion to refer these
resolutions, and adjourn until the 10Th of January.
There was to his nd manifest improperly in pass
ing them now The subject should be thoroughly in
veegated and the resolutions and address f such
spoken Of ought to be adopted) should cores
pond with each other and both be calm just, and dig
nifed, as well firm. He hoped therefore, the propo
siton of the gentleman from Georgia would be unani
Mr. Westcott, learn, advocated the adoption of Mr..
Bayly's resolutions, and of his proposed address
the South-as all that should be done by members of
Congress- beyond the exercise of their constitutional
duty in the two houses. He denounced, as presump-
ton their part attempt to dictate the mode or
form of resistance. This he contended, was the
elusive province of the sovereign States which
aggrieved and of the people. The mode thus devised
members Of Congress from those States bound
sustain or they we're false to their allegiance.
onS IN ths sronna that - the action of Con-
gres at this session. consummated what was proposed
cogent, eficacious and direct measures should
be taken by the represe natives of the States here
The object of others further time for consultation
The proposition Of Mr.. Stspheus was finally agreed
to with great unanimity. Moderate men, and prudent
ceunsels, believe will prevail at the South
The resolutions offered by Mr. Bayly and finally
referred to committee OF one from each slave state
LEARN authenticsy, declare, first the deep attach
of the South to the union Of these States second
that in of the violation of the constitutional
rights Of any portion of the confedcracy it the pr-
yege and the duty of the States sygrieved thereby
to devise the mode and measure OF redress
thirdly that in case the aggressions the rights Of
the South, threatened by the recent action of the
House of Representatives the subject Of slavery,
shall be contaminated it will become the right and the
sures redress their wrongs The resolutions were
drawn by MIR. Bayly himself, and am very confident
of them They will not be officially published, am
assured for days yet and the only true copy Of
them is in the hands OF Mr. Bayly.
MIR. CALHoUN's SPEECH.
In 10
Westcott, copied above frem the .4mertcan, will give
you reliable sketch of those made by Mr.: Calhoun,
whose speech considered of the abest Of the
evening Mr.. Calhoun said
1.-The resolutions of the gentleman from Virginia
(r. Bayly) are good; and considering9the length OF
time which he has had prepare them, do him great
credit But they not perfect. They are defective
agree to the motion of the gentleman from Georgia.
(Mr Stephens) Another consideration strongly i'm
pels to the came course. ! am thorsugniy ,mpress-
both on part and on the part of the Southern
community. opposed, however, to too great delay,
and consequently would prefer that the COMMITTEES
should report to meeting be held the 10th in
stead of the 18th Of January.
The Legislatures of .everal of the Southern States
are now in session. and would be we'll that address
should reach them in time to be acted upon by them
before their adjour nment consider the address in.
dispensabIe. Whatever action is TAKEN must proceed
from the saveholding States IL the constitution be
violated and their rights encroached upon, 1t for
them to determine the mode and measure Of redress
We can only suggest nd advise We are the thea.
TIRE Of actiontne witnesses of the alarming encroach
ments which have been going on upon the rights OF
the slaveholdng part of the conederacy Wesee them
planly-we feel them deeply They are rapid and
alarming; for who would nave believed, even three
years ago that preparations which have within few
past ded the support of majority of the
lower of Congress- would have been tolerated by
any respec table portion Of either house
1--WE are in the midst of events scarcely of less i'm
mort than those of revolutionary The question
H. are we to hold position this confederacy
the ground Of equals are we TO content ourselves
with the condition Of colonial dependence! Sir 1t will
be worse than colonial dependence. For who would
prefer to be taxed and governed without pretence
of than under the forms Of represen
tation to be grievousy oppressed by measures over
which we have control, and against which our re-
monstranoes unavailing!
I" 1t IL unIeniabe that the encroachmen1 upon our
rights have been rapid and alarming They must be
set | cohesive that no Southern man can entertain
fur on moment the idea Of tame submission The &C
ton Of the South should united temperate but de-
eided. Our position must be taken deliberately, but