Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-02
Proceedings of a Convention of Southern
Members of Congress.


Proceedings of a Convention OF Southein
Members of Congress
IcoNcLUDEp rRoh tiEsT fAoE.i
asT.-Ro or THE SENATE CHAMBER.
January Is, lo49.
...,-,,,;,.oo NJ sheen from the slave
holding aics met 81 10 O'clock, and was ofsani-
ed by calling Nj. King OF Alabama 70 '"'
chair. Al, p,s,
Present: ar kaufman in place Of VT, nosh
ercnsed Mr.. Rerrien in place OF M stephens
excnsed MI King, Mr. GcnWy, Mr.. Rayly Mr.
yeuable Mr.. Alchison, MIR Sebastian. NJ
owns Mr.. Calhoun, hir. Cabell. Absent Mt
Pearce, MIR. Clayton, MIR. Fooe, and MT. reS'
ton. h,,pe
Mr.. BEaaES submitted feso 'u"on 10 cnansI
the lille OF The address reported 10 I've Se"e. a.
meeting 10 an address by the individuals compo,
sing tie meeting TO TIE people OF INC oA">
The yeas and nays being demanded, II was
caried-yeas 7, nays, 4, as follows: ~ o..
Ys.s-Messrs. Cabcll, Kaufman, h'ns' Der
rien. Gentry. Sebastian, and D""ns.h
Nays Messrs. Bayly, Aich'sop' Vena''e' ""'
Calhoun-4. - rotor ,be
address TO Subcommittee Oh nVe, ~ iePo.. W a. ~
adjourned meeling oi,he select committee ~ lner.
in the ante-room OF The Senate chamoet a.
o'clock, o. IN, on Saturday next.
The yeas and nays being demanded. it was
carried in the Acknowledgements, 4, nays y dc
follows: D.
YEAs-Messrs. Cabell, Kaufman, King, Ser-
rien. Gentry, Sebastian, and Downs.h
NAYs-M essrs. Bayly, A'chison, Venaole anu
Calhoun.
The Chair appointed the committee, as follows !;
Messrs. Berrien, Bayly, Caoe,; Alchlson, a"u
Calhoun. A. w. VENABLE Secretary
AsrS.RooM or THE SENATE CHAMBER.
January 20, lS49.
The committee me, al the call OF the chairman.
A quorum being present.
Mr. B,RRres. from the subcommittee, read an
address which was ordered to be reported 10 the
Genera, meeting as a substitute Tor The address
recommended 10 this committee. Adjourned.
A. w. VENABLE, Secretary.
SENATE CHAMBER January q, 1919.
The Southern Senators and memoels VI 'ne
House Of Representatives met IN ,ne I quo.
Chamber according 10 ADJOURNMENT. Inc ffeSi-
dsn, cslled the meeting 10 order at seven o'clock,
p. m. snooo
Mr.. KING. chairman of the committee OF nNeeh,
reported an address 10 the people oil The U. States,
which the committee recommended "a suos'i-
tule for the address which was read al Inc ids'
meeting. The address was read by MIR. BERRiES,
chairman OF Inc Subcommittee.
ADDRESS,
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Fellow-cirizens: We are DESTROYS OF commu'
ming with you on sabjecl which Is, IN our JUG.
ment in,imael connected with The peace ana
harmony OF the Union. We make no apology
for doing so; oar justification VIII De iouna 10 inc
motive which induces this address, and IN me CD
iect which it seeks 10 accomplish. That motive
IN nrtc freshness
the tra,efpal feeling which animated our fathers
that prompted them 10 "ortain and establish"
a constitution, which, uniting US as one people,
has enabled Us 10 advance with rapidly unex-
ampled in the history Of man 10 our present en-
ipent rank among the nations OF Inc world. Inc
object which we seek 10 accomplish, Is 10 obtain
from you calm, dspassionate, and palriouc con-
sderatlon oil series OF measures calculated, we
fear 10 ALLEVIATE that feeling, and TO beset ammo
stiles alike untriendy TO individual and TO ma
tional prosperity. We maze no sectional appeal.
We address ourselves Ia the whole American
people, as 10 those who have common ana an
equal interest in preserving and perpetua'ins The
friendly relations which happily subsst between
the different States OF The Union. IL our rieht
thus 10 present ourselves 10 your notice be ques-
toned We answer That il is the privilege oi Tree
men 10 confer with their fellows on matters OF
public concern. Ii it be asked why has the pre-
sent moment been chosen for this ADDRESS, when
{as il is said) no decisive measure has been per-
tected, the answer IS lha Tie inoment most propi-
.ious 10 cancellation, is that which prece'es, not!
that which follows decisive action on the SUBJECT
in controversy Ii, again. il be asked what are our
qualifications for the task in which we are en-
gagged il seems obvious 10 reply that the proions-
ed attendance a. the seat OF government which
our official duties demand, and the part which we
are required 10 take in The administration oil pub
lie affairs, necessarily make u> familiar with The
course OF political events Bnt We invoke no ard
from official station. We 10 not address you
10 our representative character We speak 10
YOU as A mercan ireemen. and ask be heard ID
The spirit in which We address you.
The subject 10 which We would call your al
,en,ion, is he controversy unhappiy existing be-
tween portions OF cur .elloW-cuzens n The i@o
great sections OF the Union, resulting IRON d.
versiiy OF feeling and OF opinion, concerning me
relation which exists between the European anG
African races, who dwell in lis southern secuoa.
We invite your attention 10 bsiet narrative Of
this controversy, its origin and progress, ard 10
that series OF measures To which Il has gwen
rise, which by large portion OF the American
people ale deemed injurious TO The Interests oil The
South, aggressive upon their rights, aud alike
inconsislen. with the true spirit, intent, and pur-
pose al oar constitutional compact This con-
troyer>y had lis origin al an early period oil our
history. Il b"San shortly after The ackno"leds-
menl .; gu, Independence, aud has progressively
Increased, until il has arrayed in opposite ranks
;wo grea, portions oi the American people; and
thai on subeci which is, as 10 one, an opinion,
A sentiment, or, al NEST, question OF political
power 10 the councils OF Inc nation; while 10 The
other, ii is conesse iy Of al. subjects OF policy,
The mos vital. In is progress il has given rise
10 series of measures which have been more
recently multiplied with degree OF rapidly tha;
maniess Inc determined pnrpose ami extfaorGi-
nary activity f;hose with whom they originate
These measures are all tentin9 10 In same le-
snlt If learned into execEtirn, we think their
certain eIecl would be TO lnflc an injury, the
extent OF which il is difficult 20 esiims'c, on Inc
Soulhelr ) s'' - T.. Go..eieracy; ~ unseltle
me polrica. citations be;wecu the several United
States, as these were adjusted by the Constiu-
ton; 10 destroy the iratcrnal feeling which now
uniles us more firmly than the paper bands Of
that inslrumcni, and necessarily therefore, 10
disturb the peace and harmony OF ,he Union.
Our purpose in making the statement which
we propose, i but 10 excite but rather 10 aiiay
The apprehensinns which existing circumstances
are calculated /, create, 10 confront The dangers
which threaten 10 disturb our peace, and 10 aver
them (ii, By the Blessing OF Go5, 1t may be SOY oy
lust, lemperac and united counsels, conceived
and execute, in the spirit VI patriotism liz Inc
moment OF apprehended pejil, il is the part OF
prudence 10 ascertain the nature and cx ent OF The
danger which threatens Us, with view 10 pro-
vide and to call into action our means oi dslcnce.
II the body polite is afflicted BY disease, true
conception ol its cha.ac!c! can alone enable u
TO effect its cure
We have called your attention 10 The ar,gin 81
this controversy, and ask you 10 keep IN mind the
fact that it existed for d length OF time before the
constitution was formed; that those who framed
Nor. t,rIl tenHf. va
facr of the existence OF domestic slavery in several
States Of the confederacy, had well considered lis
character, and were aware OF the determination
OF those States 10 continue the o! slave labor,
in the new position which they were about 10 as
sumo as members OF the Federal Union. The
trainers of the constitution were thoroughly ad-
yised OF the resolve Of The people of those States