The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-16
From the Norfolk Pilot.
Letter from John Y. Mason.
RICHMOND, MAY 8, 1850

n
RICHMOND, May g. 1850 \
| My DEAR SIR :-You favor of the 5th inst,
is received. | am surprised to learn, that the
influence OF my name has been used MS authority
against the proposed Nashville Convention" and
leel no hesitation in answering your enquiry,
whether the statement correctly represents my
views
Perhaps it will be sufficient for the occasion,
for me to say, that | am not opposed to the Nash
vile Convention | should have united in the
deliberations of my felow-citzens in their recent
meetings in this city, and given my support to
| the necessary measures for representation in the
Convention, but for the fact that my residence
here had not been long enough to entitle me to
a vote, and for some other considerations which
| could not disregard
Events have not been developed as fully as
was anticipated, when the Convention of the
Southern States was proposed; and the public
mind seems TO have been tranquilized by con-
| fident expectation of n satisfactory adjustment
of the questions which so deeply involve the
rights of the Southern people and the perma-
hence of our Federal Union. No one will re-
joice more heartily than / viii, at such a CON
summation. But it is not to be disguised, that
the patriotic hope of such happy results may not
be realized, and ASH am satisfied that the South
will insist on the equality Of rights which belong
to the States of the conicderaey, on a faithful
execution of the Federal compact in regard to
these rights, and an entire abstinence from leg
slative interference with the institution of sla-
very on the part of Congress, with certain mo-
| jority having no common interest in the subject.
l regard it of the highest Importance to the in
tegrity Of the Union, and to the peace and secu-
rity OF the South, that the people OF the South
should take counsel together, and should act
together. Such union is due to themselves and
to their posterty, as well as to those patriotic
men of the non-slaveholdng States who prefer
justice to power, and the light of reason to the
| blind zeal of fanaticism or prejudice.
| The Legislature of Virginia has recommend
cd by a most decided vote, to the people Of the
State to join their brethren Of the other States
in consultation on the imminent dangers which
threaten the Southern people and union of the
States Virginia has given too many proofs of
devotion to Republican liberty, and OF disinter-
ested and sclf-sacrlfcing attachment to the Fed
cral Union as our Fathers framed it, to justify
any apprehension that her counsels will favor
any measure which would endanger the latter,
while the former would be honorably preserved.
And no doubt can be entertained that the Nash
vile Convention will be held.
have seen no sufficient reason for Virginia's
refusing to meet her sister States, having the
same great interests with herself, and to consult
on the measures necessary to protect their com
mon rights, and to provide for their common
peace, happiness and security. Under existing
circumstances, in my Judgment, she ought not
to fail to unite in such counsels because, on the
vital questions involved, she should make com
mon cause, with those similarly situated, and
thus present to her co-States having no common
interest in the subject, in the most imposing
form, the determined purpose of the Southern
States to assert and maintain those rights which
not only pertain to them as members of the
Confederacy, but which involve the organization
Of their enire social system
regard such consultations as cmnently cal
culated to preserve the Federal Union and to
secure its permancnce on the principles of its
adoption, without constant observance of
which its character would he chanrcd aud ifs