Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-01-10

Inc IteV. MT. Oaye, Ol the CniVerSallSt Church,
opened the session with prayer.
The Standing Committees were called for re-
ports
WILMOT PROyISO.
Mr.. Scott said, that at very early day Of the
session select committee had been raised on what
is known as the Wmot Proviso and other kindred
measures. That committee, the result Of their
deberation, had reported the House certain res
olutions, which they deemed expedient To- be adopt
ed by the General Assembly These had been or
dered 10 be printed, and were now on the table,
IL was certainly desirable, any action was TO be
taken on the subject 10 which the resolutions rela
ted, that 1t should take shape in which all could
unlle In no other way was it possible for good TO
come of il.
He did not know when those who had the mat
Ter particularly In charge proposed to call up the
resolutions for consideration. IL certainly was not
his desire TO prccpitate the discussion of them but
oheclng TO the temper and tone of the resolutions.
dissenting from the conclusions 10 which they led
ana feeling, very strongly that their adoption would
commit the General Assembly TO u false position,
he had felt 1t TO be his duty to prepare certain other
| resolutions, which he designed to move as a subs,
'ute for those reported by the committee. He ask
ed that they might be read for the information of
! the House, laid the table and ordered To be
/ printed.
On The topic TO which the committees resolu
| hons related, the substitute would be found he
thought, TO take position free from constitutional
Objection, and at the same time broad enough and
strong enough for all the friends Of the Union, and
advocates OF Southern rights to stand upon Ii
would be found 10 embrace an expression of opn-
ION on another matter not touched by the former
resolutions. He alluded 10 the recent action of the
House of Representatives, the subject of slavery
in the District of Columbia.
MIR. Scott said, whilst he felt very little interest
\ aciInn that CpnurpSe al, il
to slavery in the territories conquered from Next
CO. believing that ii could end in no practical result
he felt far otherwise the subject slavery in the
District of Columbia. That was practical ques-
ton; 1t came home to us all. In the language of
one OF the resolutions, he regarded as an attack
upon the institutions Of the Southern States the
ilrsi act OF medated war upon righssecured by the
constitution, which ought 10 be met at the thresh-
hold and resisted at any hazard.
The following are the resolutions:
l. Resolved, That the institution Of slavery was
fully discussed by the Convention which formed
the Constitution Of the United States and that the
rights of the Shareholders were fully recognised
and amply protected by its provisions that with
out the compromises then soemnly entered into
the Union the States never could have been form
ed.
Z. That whether Congress possesses the consti-
tutIonal power TO prohibit or abuge the free immi-
grafton of STAKEHOLDER with his slaves to a terrific
~ vi tile oiHteu StaleS, is queSllOnon which men
may and do honestly differ in opinion.
). That if Congress does possess that power, anv
exercise OF 1t, which would abrdge the right of
STAKEHOLDER 10 immigrate with his slaves, to ter
riiory acquired by the common blood and treasure
of the whole nation, would be contrary to the spirit
OF Cancellation and promise, under the influence
OF which the Federal Government was formed I'M
just to the slaveholding States; and an abuse of
power which would interrupt if not destroy the har-
mony between the States so necessary TO the hea TIL
fu action of the Federal Government and the pres-
ervation of our glorious Union.
a. That the fundamental prncip les of our own
and all tree governments are that The people ca
paole OF elt-gOveInment--that all legitimate DOW
er resides in and emanates from the people-that
governments instituted for the benefit of the
governed and are their trustees and agents I; and
consequently ii would be unjust legislation and
tyranncal abuse Of power to force domestic slavery
upon an unwilling people In The case of Califor.
ma and New Mexico, it would aggravale the wounds
inflicted by war and conquess, and sow the seeds
OF dIsafectlon and revolt.
D. That the question of slavery in California and
New Mexico, is merely transient in its nature, and
no matter how decided by Congress can never pro
duce any practical efec, that these territories were
free when acquired and so, according 10 every rea-
sonable probability, must remain Congress cannot
leglslate slavery into practical existence within
their limits and it is matter of Indifference so far
as its existence there is concerned, whether Con
gress lngfait into their forms of government what is
known as the Wilmot provso, the Missouri COM
promise, or the Senae's resolution
p. That the unity Of government which const
tues us one people, is dear to us, it has ever
been. 1t is justly so for it is main pillar in the
edlfice of our real Independence the support of our
tranquility at home our peace abroad of safety;
OF our prosperity OF that very liberty which we so
highly prize.
Z. Thatwe prize Il union ofthese States too high
~ to fly to arms and dissolve it upon difference of
opinion on an abstract question of constitutional law.
9. That as the passage of law by Congress
prohibiting the introduction of slaves into Caior-
MIA and New Mexico. contrary to the wishes of the
people OF those territories, would be tyrannica "a
Duse OF power, the passage ofsuch law, even I'M
der existing circumstances, being wholly unneces-
sary even TO accomplish, so far as those territories
are concerned the wishes Of the most ardent abo-
tlonsts, would be graluiious outrage on Southern
feelings. and manifest spirit OF hostility to the
rights OF the South secured by the constitutions but
too well calculated TO keep alive and increase the
apprehension for the safety Of these rights, already
nnbapplly excited and ultimately ALLEVIATE the at
tachment of the Southern States to the Federal
Government
y That whilst we deprccae quarrel, and still
more, resort to arms for mere abstraction. we
stand ready to resist all invasiOns of our rights
whether by the assumption Of power moi granted
by the constitution, or tyrannous abuse OF granted
powers
10 That we consider any Interference 5y Con
gress within the District of Columbia, without the
consent of its inhabitants, with the rights of the
STAKEHOLDER, amongst which is The right To buy and
sell, at variance with the fundamental principle of
free governments, and direct attack upon the in
stitulons of the Southern States; the first act of
meditated war upon rights secured by the consttu-
ton, which ought 10 be met at the Threshold and
resisted at every hazard.
IL. Resolved, That the Governor of this Com
monwealth, be requested to send copy of these