The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-27
Correspondence of the Baltimor. sun.

| WAsHINGToN, Jan. 16, 1919.
The meeting OF Southern members of Con.
gress, held last evening in the Senate chamber,
was attended by some eighty or ninety MEN,
bers. The meeting refused To admit the press,
| by vote OF about 81 10 81. The address, pre-
pared by MIR. Calhoun, was read, and was sub.
stantially as has been heretofore stated.
The debate, on various motions, was contin-
ued until after IL o'clock, in which Messrs.
Clayton, Berrien, Toombs, Jefferson Davis.
McLane, Stephens, Rusk, Thompson, of Miss
Houston and Others participated.
| 1t will be most unfortunate for the South that
this meeting was ever held il unanimity should
not be finally effected. That of last night was
not as harmonious as was expected. In truth,
there were some from northern slave States,
whosefeehngs might with propriety have kept
them from the meeting. They feel not the same
| identity of interest as those from more southern
States.
On the introduction OF the report, motion was
| made by Mr.. Clayton 10 lay il on the table aud
take no further action. II was made 10 test the
feeling OF the meeting-the vote stood for il about
55, against il about 80. Those in favor OF laying
ON the table were nearly all wings.
Thepowerful objection 10 the report was made
by NJ. Toombs, of Georgia. He thought Congress
slonal legislation was necessary 10 authorize sla-
very in the new territories. The doctrine Of the
report was that Congress could neither extend nor
restrict slavery.
Mr.. Toombs proposed no amendment, and il was
evident that he was opposed 10 any action by the
meeting. He made no reply TO question pro-
pounded by Mr.. Thompson, in reference 10 the ae-
ton he would take If Congress refused to pass the
necessary laws, or should enact the proviso.
In reply to Mr. Toomb's objection, Nh. Calhoun
went into short argument, TO show that the South
could take their slaves into California and New
Mexico, and that Congress was bound, by the usual
acts OF legislation, TO protect this property and TO
put IL on the same footing with other property. L.
required no law OF Congress TO authorize slavery
there.
Mr.. Colhoun was calm and dispassionate, and in
his earnest appeals 10 the South for unanimity he
is represented as using language replete with elo
qience and pathos.
The course taken by the Texas delegation, was
unexpected. MIR. Rusk read some resolutions, as
substitute for the report, but they contained no.
thing decisive. Gen. Houston seems lukewarm
in the cause, and Mr. Stephens is unquestionably
opposed 10 any action.
Members from the South, supposed TO be ambi-
may be regarded as aveTse TO taking any action.
There is one exception. Mr.. Calhoun, always am.
bilious, has ever been true 10 his own people.
MIR. Beuien, of Georgia, made SEINE eloquent
remarks, and exorted the South 10 be united He
suggested that the address should be made to the
whole Union.
He has been placed on the committee 10 place
OF Mr.. Stephens, who begged to be excused from
serving.
Mr.. Stephens was one of The eight Southern
members who was opposed TO Mr.. Clayton's COM
promise of last session, as yielding too much
Having defeated the chances OF favorable deci-
sion by the Supreme Court, some seem 10 think il
incumbent on him to insist on better remedy.
The report Tecommitted 10 the same COM
mittee, with all the amendments and resolutions
in the meeting, and the meeting finally
10 Monday next. A motion, made by
Mr.. Stephens, TO adjourn sine die, having been vol
ed down by a very decided majority. H.