The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-17
The Southern Convention.

The Southern Convention.
We have received some further intelligence, by
teleprapb. respecting the movements of the Con-
vention of the Southern representatives at Wash
,neton The report, which was drawn up by Mr..
Calhoun, with the assistance of Mr.. Bayly, was
read by Mr.. Venable Mr. Clayton, who led the
opposition, spoke against it, when considerable
discussion ensued. aud it finally recommitted
to the same committee, with instructions.
One ground OF objection taken to the report was
its asserting that organized bodies of men existed
through the free States, even reaching into
Canada, for the purpose OF aiding the escape o
slaves from their masters. We confess are
somewhat surprised that such a statement was
made IN the report. Mr.. Calhoun ought to be
aware that these organ zed ban Is neither sup
ported nor sanctioned by the intelligent and rnfu-
entail portion of the community in the North. We
are as much opposed to the fanatic and unconsti
tunonal movements of the abolitionists and their
kindred associates in this quarter, as Mr.. Calhoun;
and we have been most strenuous and unce asIng
in our efforts to point out and expose the faulty
and folly of their proceedings. In dong so, we
only gave expression to the general feeling of the
rational portion of the community in the free
States. We think, therefore, that the report, in
denouncing the North In such general manner,
and involving US all in the insane proceedings of
the antl-savery aeitators, is too sweeping IN its
charge and too general in Its Remuneration.
We are also of opinion that the complexion
given to the question by the able statesman of
South Carolina, Is not compatible with his own
real intentions and lefty aspirations for the welfare
and glory of this great republic. The present
movement among The Southern members, as de.
veoped by this report, would clearly give ndica-
lions Of an intention to make this a sectional
and geographical qleston The sanction OF such
names as those appended to the report, would,
indeed, have a most preJud,cial tendency, were It
not well known that their intee rity and patriotism
ave not only beyc,d dispute, but above suspicion.
II is yery much TO be amen'e1, therefore, that the
ph-aseolosy adopted should give handle to the
nit as Of the Nerth to call in question the patriotic
feelings OF Its authors.
There are other points in the proceedings which
we Will refer to future occasion; but we can
not allow the present opportunity to pass without
entering our protest, the strongest manner that
language can convey, against the unwarrantable
and upprecedente exclusion of the press from the
Senate chamber. A moe outrageous aud arbl-
trsrv procee dlrg was never before resOred to In
free country The despots of Europe, whose firm.
est p,o, is in Tie ignorance of those over whom
they rule. never exceeded such an act in thei
whole career of I, ranny. And what were the rea
eons assigned tor this unheard of proceeding!
We have not, as yet, been favored with a single
one that deserves to be seriously noticed. There
YVES no necessity in the void for this ex
cIuslon. The talented and highly respectable gen
tlemen who com osed the convention, were not
r r. They cro
met in solemn conclave, for the pur of dellbe
rating on such measures as they honestly be.
Geved 10 be most conducive to the interests
of their constituents, and to fence round with
greater security an institution whose existence and
,py,olabllty are guaranteed by the constitution.
WHY. then, should they be afraid to let their sentl-
meuts go abroad If they fear public opinion, or
are apurehenslve that the stability oil slavery to be
eopadlzed BY the presence OF the reporters Is not
this confession OF the weakness Of their cause,
and the strongest testm my they could furnish to
the world Of their own want OF confidence, and
pus,llsnimi,y! This was a great mistake aud If
mistake, according to the subtle Talleyrand, be of
more moment In pol teal strategy, than a crime.
=, should have the effect OF preventing recurrence
of such treatment to the press on future occasions
There must be 10 hole andc work In a free
republic The bare attempt at such a thing is the
strongest possible condemna ton Of those who re-
sotto 1t. Closed doors and tar chambers may
do very we'll for the worn out despotisms of Eu-
rope; but they cannot and we hope never will, be
acclimated TO this latitude.
We see by the speech OF the hon. member from
South Carolina, that he would prefer the alterna-
tive of dissolution OF the Union to the extension
of the Wilmot provlso to the new territories.
Whatever opinion may be entertained on this de-
claration, we are sure it must be source OF ne
raj regret that it trips up the heels of our amabe
friends Lucreta Mott, Abby Folsom, and the other
feminine notorletles who have been lately scouting
60 eoquently to the same effect 1t will completely
spoil their stock rade; and unless some new
dodge" is suggested for our fair orators, we
trenble TOR the consequences In the absence OF
something better, what would these ladies think OF
q trip to California; There Is neither king, nor
president, nor law there. It would just be the
field for their future labors. They could fashion
these things they pleased, and realize the Utopia
which unfortunately has never yet existed, but In
,he lmagInatlons of the poets
THE ENGLISH PRESS AND Mr.. Folks MESSAGE.