The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-12-15
WHOLE No 437
The Whig Caucus.

Messrs Stephens, Toombs, and Owen OF
Georgia, Morton of Va, and Catell of
| Florida refused to vote for MIR. Winthrop,
We give the following sketch of the pro-
ceetings OF the Wing caucus on Satur-
day evening last, to show the grounds
Of their refusal. 1t is taken ilom the
N. Y. Express.
, Charles S. Morehead, of Ky, was
elected Chairman and James Brooks, of
N. Y. Secretary.
As soon as the organization took
place, and after short preliminary adj
dIess' setting forth tina, he had we'll con-
sider1d. what he was about, and that as a
matter OF duty, he could not avoid ii
and would not withdraw it. Mr.
Toombs, ofCeo., offered the following
resolution:
RcsolceG That Congress ought not to
/ pass any law prohibiting slavery in the
territories OF California or New Mexico,
nor any law aboljshins slavery in the
District of Columhia.
No sooner had the Secretary read this
resolution than an intense excitement
was aroused.--.it did not express it.
self in action or in violent worts,-but a
discu,sio ensued, and the calmest and
coolest in manner, taking all things into
consideration, ever known under such
circumstances. The Wings Were not at
! first certain what Mr., 1oom5s was after
what was intended by him and his as.
sociates-bu it soon became manifest
that unless the Caucus took in this, as It's
own fre-brand, and adopted ii as its own
MIR. Toombs < Co, would take uptheir
beds and walk.
Mr.. Stanley, of n. c. was the first
to start in opposition, for, as a Southern
man, as he we'll SAID, there could be no
doubt what he thought on these subjects;
but this was no place for their discussion
this was no time-and he therefore
moved to lay the resolution on the table,
The motion was seconded by several
gentlemen, but before the vote was ia
ken. great many speeches were made.
The first northern nan who had any
thing to say was MIR. Duer, of New
York He was surprised to find an effort
10 found party upon an exclusive slave
ny test, when the Wing party in the
North had disclaimsd any such test and
repeatedly, declared that 1t considered
it National, not Sectional Party, and
were unwilling 10 found party on such
test.
Mr. Conrad of Louisiana, and Mr..
Brock, o Kentucky opposed the resolu-
ton. They agreed with every word Of
it, but it was not necessary 10 compel
every body to agree with them, especial
ly upon matters that might never come
up for legislation. When they did come
up, then it was time to resolve; but before
we agreed upon speaker and other
officers, and we only assembled to select
them, it Was no time to lay out chart
for legislation.
MIR. Hlliard, of Alabama. seconded
MIR. Toombs If it was agreed, he asked,
that the Wilmot Proviso was no part OF
the Wing creed, and that it Was not
whig policy to abolish slavery in the
District, why not say so, and start in eau
Gus with such declaration.
Mr.. Evans; OF Maryland, was in favor
OF the resolution, but opposed to any ac-
ton upon it therc-and Mr.. Baker, OF
Illinois, also opposed to all such action.
Mr. King, OF New Jersey, also expires
sed opposition to the passage OF the reso-
luton here 1t was no time to be DIS
tracing ourselves when we had a COM
mon enemy to face.
Mr.. Owen, of Geo, warmly urged the
adoption Of the resolution. 1t was nee
essary, he said, to settle these matters
now. We could not act together unless
they were settled.
MIR. Stephens, of Geo, pressed the a.
doption OF the resolution 1t was unne-
oessary now, he urgel, for Northern or
Western Wings TO be pressing The Will
mot Proviso upon Congress. California
was about to present Constitution
which would save them the necessity
there. and spare them from rnflicting up
on the South any such modification.
As to slavery in the District--a matter
in principle, to the South, of the utmost
Importance all he had 10 say, and he said
not this IN threat but in sorrow, and for
information, that if attempted and per-
sisted in by the men who now had pow
er-that is, the numerical majority in
this Unlon-,he Union must and would
be dissolved. Mr.. Stephens begged
Northern gentlemen to express their
views.
MIR. Brooks, of New York, thought the
pledge asked uncalled for.
MIR. Clingman, of N. C, was favorable
to the resolution, but hoped Nj. Toombs
would withdraw it here. NIessrs Ash
mum of Mass, and Schenck of Ohio, also
spoke.
Mr.. Conrad begged MIR. Stanley to
withdraw his motion, and to lay II upon
the table, which he d,d, when he substl-
tuled for it a motion to pos,p one This,