The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-24

L " 1N
The Meeting OF the Southern Members Of Congress.
Shortly after the passage of the resolution by the
House OF Representatives without necessity nstructng
the Committee the Territories to report to the House.
with little delay practicable, bill excluding slavery
from New Mexico and Cafomia-without necessity,
for the committee had reported similar bill at
the last session. in the absence of Instructions and
the majority had thus shown impotence to
est its hostility to the rights Of the South and the
compromises OF the constitution; and when it was
followed up by the motion TO lay on the table the bill
of Mr. Giddings, providing for taking the not
only of the free negroes but of the slaves Also upon
the question whether slavery should in the District
of Columbia, against which seventy votes were
giventhe southern senators had meeting to consult
to what steps the rights OF their constituents required
them to take AT that meeting a committee appoint
ed to consult with the members OF the House upon the
subject.
Upon the passage of the resolution by the House OF
Representatives of Mr. Gott, by vote of 95 to IS,
structing the Committee for the District of Columbia to
report BILL practicable, prohibiting the buy
ing selling of slaves in this District the committee of
the Senate that the time 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 held
in the Senate chamber. Considering the shortness
of the notice, and the approach of the holy
days, when members were vending their way home,
the meeting was remarkably full We learn there
sixty eight and representatives present
Fifteen who were in the city were absent from
voidabe circumstances, and represented by friends
in the meeting and most of the rest absent from
the city. Several members who had arranged to leave
Washington for their homes delayed their departure to
attend the meeting
The details of the proceedings Of the meeting have
not transplred and we understand they will not until
they are officially published. We learn, however that
Gen. Mecafe, a senator from Kentucky, called to
the chairs Mr.. Venabe of North Carolina, appointed
secretary Mr. Achson of Missouri, first vice president
and Gov Gayle of Alabama, second vice president
After the organization, Gen. Bayy Of Virginia was
called upon by Gen Fooe, of the Senate committee,
to explain the object of the meeting and present series
OF resolutions basis Of its action, which at the request
of that committee, he had prepared Mr. Stephens OF Geor-
gia moved to refer them select committee composed of
one member from each of the savehoding States which
should take charge of the whole subject and report
future meeting appointed be held the 18th of January
We regret unable TO procure copy of Gen Bay
y's resolutions They will not be published until the
official proceedings are given to the world We learn
they are of firm and decided, but conciiatory char
acer. They ask nothing for the South but that its
rights shall be respected; but they express firm
determination to defend and protect these rights at all
hazards, the only of preserving the Union.
Strong approbation as we are told expressed of
them by the meeting.
We also understand that there great harmony. A
very free exchange of opinion took place. but in the
final resolution which was adopted there was perfect
unGnimty
| We repeat as friend OF the Unon--as an Amer
can-as a friend of political liberty throughout the
early in its voyage, wreck the ark of human liberty
pause Let them not be deceived. The unanimty
of her representatives will be responded to by the people
OF the South They will commit fatal mistake, if they
draw such conclusions have heretofore advered to,
from the result of the presidential election Our devo-
ton to the Union cannot be doubted 1t has too Often
and on too many trying occasions, been tested. But,
in the language of former senator from New York,
there is point beyond which southern forbearance
canno, go If it is expected that they will the
Union, it must not be made instrument of inequality,
nferiorty degradation, and oppression Administer the
constitution in the spirit of Cancellation and compromise
depart from its spirit and leer-make il instrument of
oppression rather than OF bessngand you will convert
the love for it which pervades the South into
sion. And from this sentiment may gracious Provi-
dence shield this glorious country