Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-01-04

IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of he .4merican.
Washington, Dec. 23, 1913.
Agreeably to notices served yesterday, meeting Of
Southern members ofihe two Houses, | learn, took
place list evening I'll the Senate Chamber il reference
T, Southern rights and Southern Interest," as connected
win he question vi Slavery. 1t Intended to be
confined entirely to members from the slavehlIinr
States, and reporters and the public were excluded
though rssouiin n, understand, adopted, 10 pu0
lish the proceedings. .tejaLiy, hereafter.
Ex-Governor Mstcalte, Senator from Kentucky. pre-
sided, assisted BY Senator Atchus N and Ex-Governor
Gayle Representative from Alabama, as Vice Pres
drni, and Mr. enable, representative from North Caro-
lima, as Secretary. Between sixty and seventy men,
berS Of the two llouses, am Informed present.
Mr. Bayiey Of Virginia offered series Of res lutions
am Informed, embracing essentially, in regard to the
rights of the States and the power Of the General Gov
eminent, the principles Of the resolutions, ofl19S.-
They do not recommend resistance bu. insist upon
firm maintenance ofthe Constitutional rights The Soph
and assert the right Of the PEG lie Of The States resist
In such manner as they may deem proper, any
siIlutiona act Of the General Government in regard to
the institution Of Slavery. The resolutions further pro
pose the appointment Of committee draft address
70 the people of the Slave-hoding atps merely show
ing, as am informed, the progress Of abojon>ln and
not suggesting any mode Of remedy leaving that to be
devised by the people Of the States and the State legis
lalures.
These resolutions, Mr.. Stephens Of Georgia after
suc edIhS5 HoVsd 10 refer D committee OF one mem
Der from each Of the ,avr-hoding States to rap, upon
the Whole subject Involved, an adjourned meeting to
be held Is h January ensuing.
An animated debate en~ued, in which Ncssrs Bay
ley, Stephens, Ioomis Flolc Pendleton. Woodward
Butler Tompkins, Chapman, Morse, Holmes Rusk
Calhoun. and Wescor. and one two others, whose
names have not ascerained, participated
Mir. Calhoun, | understand approved IF Mr. Bavey's
resolution but concluded generally III the proprey IL TIE
reference proposed by Mr. Stephens. lie made, am
assured one Of his abeSt and most eloquent speeches.
IN deate for hlm in lis Tone containing nothing intended
70 excite tie South, butte perhaps calculating to pro
dnce such snll, and much doubt intended 10 unite
them IN firm and nnWaYerng maintenance of their con
s,itutional rights.
The meeting am informed. was conducted with great
order and dec rum throughout, very little excitement be-
ing manifested, even The nras bairg very mod trae in
the expression Of their sentiments
Gen. Rusk, one of the Senators from Texas, pre-
sumo, from the Information which have received from
various sources, must have expressed the senlnents Of
The majority Of themeeng. Like those of Mr. Calhoun
his remarks were listened to with the most profound at
tention.
He said that some seemed to think that the object for
which they had assembled to inform the people of
the understandable steps taken within the last few days
IN degaton II the right of the Southern portion Of the
coniederacy and Of the rights Of Tie people in the Dis
trlct Of CoIumbia.
Ii this 81, the resolutions fell far short Of the o.
Jec intended, for they did pretend the
ton Of the 1ouseof Representatives thse subjects
true account Of that action travelling through
The press To all paris Of the Union.
lie deemed the object Of the meeting to be- however
TO devise some means by which 10 check blind and
peJudIced majority in Congress from rampug upon the
constitution and violating the Constitutional rights of one
half If the States Of this Juion.
How, he inquired was this to be affected? Was it 10 be
the act OF one Or two, or any select number Of men :?
as 1t to be the act Of one few Sates2 Was TO
be effected BY passion, violent language and precipate
action I! All these if resorted to, would fail
1t must be effected, he insisted, by cautious, pru
dent and firm action upon the part Of all Interested
10 be of any service there be unanmity of feeling
and action, under the guidance Of patriotism and Of
passion
They had inst come out Of heated political con
test in whch they had been divided into two parties
mutual elimination and recrnination had taken place
no time had elapsed in which pour oil en- the troubled
waters
He did not wish TO Be understood as condemninr the
resolutions Of Mr.. Bayley. but he thought it premature
to act upon them now. The call even, to meet was
not twelve hours old, not than two-thds of the
members from the Southern States present. and ac
ton then, would, not only be prccipate, but would be
more likely 10 produce division than harmony.
He therefore obliged to the gentleman from
Georgia. (Alr. Stephens for his motion refer these
resolutions and adjourn until the 18th January. There
was to his mind manifest npropriey in passing them
now. Tae subject should be thoroughly investigated
spoken Of ought be adopted should correspond with
each other and both be calm, Just and dgni6ed, as well
as firm. tie hoped, therefore, the proposition Of the
gentleman from Georgia would be unanimously adopt
ed.
Mr. Nesco, | learn, advocated the adoption of
MIR. Bayleys resolutions and Of his proposed address,
confined to historical detail of the aggression upon the
Southas all that should be done BY members Of Con-
gress beyond tile exercise Of their constitutional duty in
the two Houses. He denounced, as presumption on
their part any attempt to dictate the mode or form Of
resistance This he contended was the exclusive pro-
vince OF the Sovereign States which are aggreved and
OF the people The mode they devised members of Con
gess from those States bound sustain or they
wore false to their allegiance.
Others advocated the reference of the resolutions as
proposed, on the ground that if the action Of Congress
at this session, consummated what was proposed more
cagent efcacious and direct measures should be taken
by the representatives of the States here The object Of
, others further than the consultations
he prop suon of Nh. Stephens, was finally agreed
TO with great unanimiy Moderate men, and prudent
counses, believe. will prevail at the South, though all
VIII firmly unite in resisting the extent the
encroachmeu; Of the federal government upon the con
stllutonal rights Of the savehoding States, and in as
serng the justice Of their claims to an equal participa
ton in the benefits resulting from the territory acqrred
In this there will be no. difference Of opinion between
Southern W hgs and Southern Democrats.
Correspondence of the Baltimore American
SENATE