The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-06
slave Tramc ia the Dissrict Of Cslsmbia-
var. Gotrs Preamble and HeseIusi sas-
Ferment smong the Southern Members sI

Cespes-.
On Thursday, the 2lst of December, Mr.
GOtt, Of New York, offered the following pre-
smble and resolution in the House Of Repre-
sentstives:
Whereas, the traffic now prosecuted in this
metropolis Of the Republic in human beings
as chattels, is contrary 20 natural justice and
the fundamental principles Of our political sys-
TEN, and is VIGOROUSLY reProsch 10 our coun-
try throughout ChristencOm, and serious hin
dranee to the progress Of republican liberty
among the nations of the earth: Therefore,
ResOlUed, That the Committee for the Dis
trict Of Columbia, be instructed to report bill
as soon as practicable, prohibiting the slave
trade in said District.
The question on the adoption Of the pream-
bic and resolution was put and carried BY vote
Of 81 to q. Their adoption created much SEN
sstion, and Mr.. Holmes, of South CaroIina,
picked up his hat and called on Southern MEM
bers to abandon the Hall. Solitary and alone,
however, he walked out, and after few min
utes consideration, he walk ID back again and
resumed his seat
On Friday evening, the 22d, meeting of the
Southern members was held in the Senate
Chamber. Ex-Governor Metcalfe of this State
was called to the chair. Mr.. Bayly, Of Virginia,
offered a series Of Calhounish resol utions, and
their adoption was advocated by Mr.. Calhoun
and others. A motion, however, offered by Mr.
Stephens, Of Georgia, referring the resolutions
TO committee consisting Of one member from
each State, to report on the 5th Of January,
prevailed.
The great object of this meeting of Southern
men was to take steps TO protect the South
against the "aggressiOns" Of the North, and the
immediate cause Of it was the passage of Mr..
Colts preamble and resolution through the
House of Representatives The movement was
purely sectional. While several of the gentle
men present were in favor Of resorting to very
energetic measures to defend the South, the
majority Of them were inclined to moderation.
The meeting of majority of the Southern
members of Congress under such circumstan-
ces, is an occurrence of much interest The |
leaders Of the movement evidently design one
Of two things-either to drive the members from |
the free States from their position, OF to threat
en- the rending of the Union as preferable TO the |
further agitation Of the slavery question. We
greatly mistake the spirit Of the Northern rep
If they will, as heretofore, bend
before the naughty threats Of Southern men
and tamely scquiesce in that course Of conduct
which Southerners may see At to demand In
disuniOn the South has nothing to hope, and
everything to fear. II breaking-up Of the
Union Of these States would insure the perpe.
tuity Of the peculiar institution, all those men
who regard slavery as the pr incipal thing which
renders life desirable, would favor il. But disu-
MON can never become popular in any other
slavehoIding State than South Carolina The
masses Of the people elsewhere, love the Union
more than they do the peculiar institution, and
Il forced to choose between them, will let the
institution pass into chaos.
Since the passage Of Mr.. Colts preamble and
resolution has caused such ferment, and is re-
garded as q matter of such serious moment, IL
may be well TO examine them, and to ascertain
what there is in them that is so abhorrent to
Southern sensibiliiy. The preamble asserts
first, that the traffic in slaves at the seat Of gov
srnment is contrary to natural justice, and the I
fundamental principles CT our political system: {
secondly, that IL IL reProsch to our country 1
ChristendOm-and thirdly, that 1t is {
serious hindrance TO the progress Of republic q
can liberty smongth nations Of the earth. Are |
these propositions true OF fslsel II they are
rue, the resolution which is appended is certain
y eminently proper. IL
In the city Of Washington, and near the cap
tol Of this mighty cOnfederacy, are large estab-
ishments fitted up expressly for the slave traf-
&c. Thousands Of men and women are bought I
md sold in these wretched shambles every year.
10 this right and proper Every one will admit I
hat the traffic in human flesh is contrary to
'naturs. Justice" for natural justice asserts the
light Of every man TO liberty, and whatever de- c
orives him Of that liberty. as long as he has not
rsspasssd upon the rights of the community, Q
. Of the essence Of desPotism. The "funda-