Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-01-04
THE SOUTHERN CAUCUS.

The Washington Correspondent of the Phila-
delphia Inquirer gives the following as the spirit
of Mr.. Bayly's resolutions, which we're referred
to the committee Of Fifteen:
The resolutions declare first, the deep attach
n,ent Of the South to the Union of these States;
second, that IN case of the violation of the con.
stituional rights of any portion Of the confedcr-
acy, ii is the privilege and the duty of the States
agrieved thereby, themselves to devise the mode
aud measure of redress; thirdly, that in case
he aggression on the rights of the South, threat
ened by the recent action Of the House of Rep
resentalives on the subject Of slavery shall be
cousummated, it shall be- the right and the duty
of the Slaveholding States to devise proper
measures to redress their wrong
The same correspondent also gives the follow
ing as substantially the remarks Of Mr. Calhoun
at the caucus:
"The resolutions of the gentleman from Vir-
ginia, (Alr. Bayy) are good and considering The
length Of time which he has had to prepare them
do him great credit. But they are not perfect
They are defective in several particulars. | am
therefore, less unwilling to agree to the motion
of the genllemnn from Georgia, Mr. Stephens J
Another consideration strongly Impels me to the
some course. am thoroughly impressed with
the necessity of harmonious and united action
both on our part and on the part Of the Southern
community. am opposed, however, to too great
delay, and consequently would prefer that the
committee should report to a meeting to be held
ON the 10Th instead Of the 18th of January.
The Legislatures of several of the Southern
States arm now in session, aud 1t would be well
that an address should reach them in time to be
acted upon by them before their adjournment. -
| consider the ad<fess Indispensable. Whatever
action 10 taken must proceed from the slaVehold-
ing States. If the Constitution be violated and
their rights encroached upon, it is Tor them to
determine the mode and measure Of redress
We can only Suggest and advise.
We are IN the theatre OF cotton, tho witnesses
of the alarming encrOachuents which have been
going on upon the rights Of the slaveholding
part of the conlederacy. We see them plainly
we feel them deeply. They are rapid aud
alarming for who would have believed, even
three years ago, that preparations which have,
within few days past, commanded support of
the maoiiy of the lower House of Congress-
would have been tolerated by any respectable
portion of either House.
We are in the midst of events scarcely of less
import than those of our Revolutionary era
The question is, are we holding our position in
this cUnicderacy upon the ground Of equals, or
are we to content ourselves with the condition
of Colonial dependence ? Sir, 1t will be worse
than Colonial dependence. For who would not
prefer to be taxed and governed without pre-
tence OF representation, than under the forms Of
representation to be grievously oppressed by
measures over which we have no control, and
against which our Inconsistencies are unavaIlIng.
IT is undenuble that the entertainments upon
our rights have been rapid and alarming. They
must be met. | conceive that no Southern man
can entertain for one moment the idea OF tame
Submission. The action OF the South should be
united, temperate, bat decided. Our position
position must be taken deliberately, but held at
very hazard. We wage no war Of aggression
We ask only for the constitution and union and
government. of our fathers. We ask of our
Northern brethren to leave US those rights and
privileges which our fathers held, and without
securing which for their children all knew they
would not have entered this Union. These we
must nainiaiL.
1t appears to me proper that we, who are on
the theatre OF action should address our conslit-
uents of the slavGhodung States, briefly and ac-
curatey portray the progress Of usurpation and
aggression, wildly exhibit the dangers which
threaten, and leave it IN their hands to mark out
the proper line OF action. What that should be
it is needless here 10 discuss. Whatever it is, it
should be temperate, united ana decided.
Having expressed these views, have to say
that have 10 Objection to the motion of the gem
sienan tFop y;s,rg.n Slr. S,cphens) to refer the
whole niSucr 10 feiect Committee, to consider
nalurely, aud repSt to future meeting; but
would rather prefer earlier day for that meet
ing than The 18th Of January. am, above all,
for unlon, harmony and decision on the part Of
The South"