The North-Carolina standard., 1849-01-31
Corre.pondence Of the standard.
WAsHINeToN. JANUARY "a, 1s4s.


Since the date of my last, the House have passed
the Pacheco claim, the astonishment of all here,
NAV write, for no one dreamed that it would sur
yive the sturdy blows of Giddings-not leveled a
panst its justice, but in the way of threats of the
vengeance of the consttue nts of those members from
the North who not having before their eyes the fear
of the ire of their masters, might venture to do right
deal fairly with Southern man where the ques-
ton of slavery may be involved: Ihe evident de-
of the Southern members, or at least on that of the
majority of then produced this change Of front on
the Pacheco claim. TeeE
informed that the address prepared by Mr.. Calhoun
had been recommitted to the committee of fifteen
without instructions. On coming together, it was
found that the Wings of the committee would agree
to nothing like address to the North alone. So
Berren having prepared address to the whole
country, it was adopted on Saturday night In this
he has adopted much of the argument and exposition
of Mr.. Calhoun almost verbatim, and making as his
principal point series of plaintive entreaties to the
North no longer to so administer the law upon the
subject of arrestng and returning fugitive slaves, so
to virtually abrogate the provision of the Const-
tuition stipulatng for the reclamation OF persons
(slaves) held to labor who may have escaped from
one State into another. understand that his paper
in this respect embraces powerful argument to show
that 1.-THE North is really violating the Constitution
He is said to have fortified his positions with ample
quotations from the legal decisions of Story and
Baldwin, Northern Jutices of the Supreme Court,
whose opinions cannot fail to have weight where
we'll known preiudices. The Democrats on the COM
mittee consented to agreeing reporting this address,
in order, take 1t, to induce the Wings to commit
themselves far il may be done by ascentiny to
the tame positions and tardy complaints which Ber
rien utters, if no farther. There were nine of the
committee present, only. They were Venable, Bay
", Kaufman, Cabell, Berrien, Gentry, King, Downs
and Foot. learn that some of these gentlemen do
not hold that in agreeing to the report they have
bound themselves to endorse its recommendation in
the way of an address.
learn from good authority that the Pennsylvania
delegation 1.-THE Whigs) have not recommended An
drew Stewart for seat in the Cabinet, as represent
ed. They and merely resolved that the interest
of Pennsylvania entitled her furnish the Secretary
of the Treasury for the new administration. This
they did without Indicating which of her ambitious
federal sons the General should have put upon him
thus sc constitutional adviser"
1t is well understood that Governor Crawford of
Georgia who is here in the hope of having his
presence act upon Taylor remind him of his (C's)
Claims to Office. Along with him came information
that the Governors friends desired for him the posi-
ton of Secretary of War. Seward and Ned Curtis
of New York are also here, the former looking
streaked" after the recent defeats his clique in
the New York Legislature has sustained. These
people, with other leading federal politicians who did
their best Taylors political throat before the
election are doubtless here with the view control
his policy. They are now plotting their schemes to
get him within their tolls.
On Monday evening January 22d, the southern
members met pursuant to ad ournment, Mr.. Metcalfe
President, and Mr.. Venable Secretary. Mr.. King,
Senator from Ala, stated that the committee of ff
teen had adopted address, substitute for that
drawn by Mr.. Calhoun, and reported to the last
meeting, which he asked to have read by Mr. Berren
of Georgia, the draughtsman thereof Thereupon,
Mr. Berren proceeded read from the clerks table
very powerful address to the people of the whole
Union, North and South, describing the course of
aggression upon the rights of the South heretofore
pursued by the Congress of the United States, and
of the non-slaveholdng States, and appealing
all parties for forbearance. Mr. King of Alabama,
moved that the report be received and that the vote
be taken upon substituting the address of Mr.. Ber
rien for that of Mr. Calhoun. He hoped Mr. Berri-
ems address would be adopted substitute. Mr..
Mason, Senator from Virginia, led off In opposition
to Mr.. BerreRs address. He said 1t was In the IA
ture of petttion of right from the South TO the
NOrh asking forbearance, but holding out the prom
ise Of submission. He was not justified in holding
any such language. The Legislature of Virginia
had just declared she would submit and he should
much misrepresent her sentiments as he would |
his feelings, If he were to hold out the idea OF
submission. Mr.. Bayly did not see what right we
had interpose between Northern representatives
and their own constituents. We have the right to
address our constituents, but he saw no proprlety
in our addressing the people OF the North. MI.
Fooe defended the address of MI Berrien, and said
it not crouching suppllcatory IN Its Tone 1t
took high, manly ground. .
Mr. Stephens Of Georgia, had been opposed to all
action in the beginning, and had been confirmed In
that view. He should not draw comparison be-
tween the addresses with view to choose either
Mr.. Berrien's the mild and Mr.. Calhoun's |
the more efficient He thought if we did any thing, |
our action should be efficient. But he opposed |
to both addresses and with view to test the sense
of the meeting he offered resolution declaring 1t
inexpedient for the meeting TO do any thing. The |
vote being taken by ayes and noes, the resolution
was Iost-ayes about 10, noes more than so.
Mr.. Hilliard, after eloquent remarks IN which
he placed himself fully on the Southern platform,
stated that he thought 1t was premature to issue any
address at this time-We ought to await the deVel-
opments of the session, and issue address, if at
ALL in view of all occurrences. He therefore moved
to adjourn to meet again on the 22d of February MI
Bsyy of Virginia. moved to lay the resolution on the
table, but waived his motion at the request OF MI.
Iverson of Georgia, who made-a few eloquent and
bold remarks He said that if Mr.. BerrieE's address
to the people of the North could go out, sanctioned
by the voice of the whole meeting, he would be In
favor of it. An address from all the Southern MEM
bers to the people of the North might carry weight,
but if only few signed it, it would be ridiculous
In that case, he preferred to sign an address to the
people of the South alone, our own constituents
He went for firm position of resistance to aggres-
sion. Mr.. Rhett could not go for Mr.. Berren's
address, because South Carolina had declared that the
time for petition and remonstrance was over. Mr.
Baylys motion to Law on the table was renewed and
carried by considerable majority-several members
declined voting, the ground that they would sign
neither address. Among them were Mr.. Gentry OF
Tennessee, Mr.. Preston of Virginia, and Messrs.
ToOmbs and Stephens of Georgia.
The question being then taken on Mr. Calhoun
address, it adopted by considerable majority.
1t was ordered on motion of Mr.. Iverson, that the
address should be left in the hands of the Secretary
to be published when ordered by the signers.
The meeting having ordered publication OF Its
Journal. then adjourned sine die.