Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-01-31
THE VOTE OF THE GEN'L ASSEMBLY
UPON THE SLAVERY RESOLUTIONS.


THE VOTE OF THE GEN'L ASSEMBLY
UPON THE SLAVERY RESOLUTIONS.
We place before readers, in iuxta. position,
the two sets Of resolutions which chiefly engaged
the attention Of the General Assembly, upon the
question suggested above. The first in order, as
presented TO the Legislature, are those of the Joint
Committee, known as CoNwNs Resolutions
The second, those of Mr.. THOMAS, Of Fairfax,
which are substantially the North Carolina Reso-
lu:ons Both arc thoroughly anti Wilmot, and thus
far agree. They differ in the strength Of their de-
claraons TO the constitutional powers Of Congress
over the territories iii connection with Slavery
The one asserting the application Of the Wilmot
Proviso to California and New Mexico by the Con-
gress of the United States, as trahscendihs their
constitutional powers, and violating the compromi-
ses solemny agreed upon between tho States The
other viewing the same act contrary to the true
meaning and spirit Of the Constitution, and not con-
empla,ed by the trainers thereof They differ also,
when indicating the mode and measure of redress
should Congress unwisely and unJusy proceed to
apply said Proviso TO newly acquired territories
The one declaring, that in the event referred TO, if
the People of Virginia do not resist at all hazards
and 10 the last extremity, they will stand convicted
otNIjcct submission to aggression and outrage
The other simply declaring the recent proceedings
in Congress as fraught with mischief and demand
ing the disapprobaton Of every friend of the Union
THoMAs's Resolutions were lost, il will be seen,
in the lower House, by vote of 43 to 80 Those
of the Joint Committee were adopted by a vote of
III to l3-fr1m which it appears that of the 43
who preferred THoMAs's Resolutions, so went over
in support of the Joint Commt,ee's
In the Richmond Enquirer Of January god. a call
is made, in an editorial, upon the people of each
couaiy to hold early meetings, for confirming and
giving increased effect to the acts of their represen-
taives, above noticed. The same editorial is in
terspersed with many unkind hiEgs at the mnori-
ties-such as Wilmot Provisoists, enemies of the
South, Friends of the North, Sc. Well, we are
ready for the crisis, if may use this hackneyed
phrase, and for the issues presented by the Virgil
MIA Legislature Resolutions. Call yoar county
meelings-we unite with the Enquirer in the call
but feel assured that the people, the source of
power--nay, power itself-are not prepared to stake
the blessings of our glorious Union upon such an is
sue as these Resolutions contemplate. One hun
dred and forty four members of the Virginia Legis-
lature have said, that if Congress prohibit Slavery
in California and New Mexico, now forbidden by
the municipal laws of these new acquisitions, and
into which Slavery could never flow under the freest
permission-they have said, Virginia will resist at
all hazards and TO the last extremity, or be dis
graced Who authorised these members to pre-
ma, if dilemma it may be, in advance of popular
sentiment, upon so serious matter? We venture
the assertion, that Wilmot Provisoist cannot be
found in Virginia. No Southern man can favor
this odlous and insulting measure But the cry up
on this occasion is, as it was upon another-54o
4O' or fight. We do not admire the proceeding of
putting chip upon the Peoples head, and daring
Congress TO knock it of.
We protest against the rigid Of the servants Of
the people to place the people in attitude so awk-
ard, SO delicate, so solemnly responsible Disunion
on the one hand-disgrace on the other. We pro-
test against the propricty OF such act, as wanting
in respect to the people themselves. The whole
affair is serious and sober, intended as bravado-
the first, the sentiments of the people should have
been uuequivocally and previously expressed. This
has not been done, else why the Enqurer's call for
county meetings. If the second, is not only want
ing in respect TO public sentiment but tri1ing with
the feelings and Judgment Of the people. We are
highly pleased with the course of our Senator and
Delegates and have 10 doubt they will be fully sus
tanned by the sound sense Of Old Augusta. Thorn
ass Resolutions, which they supported, cover the
whole Southern ground, and they will satisfy the
Wings of this County and the Wing party Of the
State, as they have already satisfied patriotic sis
ter Stale South Of u.s.