Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-25
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, MONDAY, Jan. 81, Il

WASHINGTON, MONDAY Jan. 81, 1850.
The Southern Question absorbs the thoughts
of all Southern men in Washington. The seem
ing obduracy of almost all the Northern members
of Congress- in their purpose to enact the Wimot
Proviso, and to abolish slavery in the District Of
Columbia, with Interior designs too plainly fore
Swallowed by the manifestations of Northern sem
tment, is only to be accounted for by the SUPPOSE
ton that they do not credit the reality of Southern
determination. 1t behoves the South. therefore,
10 use every means to dispel their incredibly If
they still dsbeeve, after all our warnings, the
consequences will be upon them, not upon u.s.
We of the South, know full well the sensitiveness
of our people ON the subject of slavery. We
know that they regard every assault upon the in
stitution as being of a tendency so deadly, that
the cost of resisting is not to be estimated for
moment. Few amongst US expect slavery ever to
enter the Territories West of Missouri, Arkan-
sas and Texas; neither does the North expect it.
The Wilmot Proviso would, therefore, be sheer
gratuitous wrong, which we could not but consi-
der as intended to assert power in Congress to
be hereafter used fatally against u.s. If we yield
on this point, we must count upon yielding when
the Free-Soi party, with its numbers and power
increased by the rapid advances of the Northern
States in population, and the successive addition
of new States, shall attempt to apply their Free
Soil principle to the slave States themselves
Resistance in the outsetis our only safety, and in
order to avert the necessity for resorting to it, we
should seek to convince the North that we are
really and truly resolved upon it. These are the
sentiments of the prominent Southern men here,
and if the Southern people coudal witness, with
General Government, they would not only be un-
divided, they are, in purpose but all differences
as to the mode of indicating it, would be merged
have the most perfect confidence, that under
Gen. Taylor's administration, the dangers that
threaten our Union will be ayerted. The mes
sage read to-day, in the House of Representatives,
does not declare indeed, that he will not suffer the
Wimot Proviso to become law by his approval;
but the President warns Congress, in the most
emphatic manner, that if it interfere with the do
nestle affairs of the Territories, (refering, with
out question, to the subject of slavery,) it will do
SO, at the hazard of endangerngthe Union. Be-
lieving this he will be bound as patriot to inter-
pose his negative.
One who hears Gen. Cass for the first time, in
one of his set speeches, cannot fail to be surprised
10 find him so undressing an orator. His style
is exceedingly clumsy, his manner and counte-
nance without animation, and his intonations un-
pleasant His speech of to-day will probably read
of do hut - e
tcult to listen it. He doubtless intended the eff
fort for the country, much more than the Senate,
and this Senators seemed to understand very well.
Iii san interesting and sad spectacle, to look
down upon the Senate, at the present day. There
Sit, indeed, the two Titans of the Wing party Mr..
Clay and Mr.. Webster, but both of them are eyi-
IDENTITY old men, with nfrmities gathering fast upon
them. Mr.. Calhoun, in whom advanced age was
last year. equally apparent, is now lying seriously
i'll at his lodgings. Benton is, perhaps, less
changed in looks than either of these three great
leaders, but he too is old, and his influence gone
The active members of the body are comparative
ly young men, and, amongst these, none is more
prominent than Mr. Douglas, of Illinois, who en-
tered the Senate when he was barely of the re-
quisite age. His rise in public life has been Won
derfully rapid, and, with the advantages of tact
rather than ability, and his North Western posi-
ton, he has as good prospect of being President
at some future day, as any other man.
There was some speaking 10 the House, this
morning, on point of ORDER which brought out
several of the most prominent members of that
body. Mr.. Burt, of South Carolina, speaks with
peculiar precsenesa of phrase, and determination
OF purpose, but not very forciby Mr. McLane,
of Maryland, is plausible and pleasing Mr.
Schenck, of Ohio, argues point with great acute
ness. Mr.. Gentry, of Tennessee, has noble
voice and direct way of expressing himself,
which command attention. But it is easy TO per-
ceve that Mr.. Toombs, of Georgia, has the ear of
the House more decidedly than any other member
Many deem his late course, in the election of
Speaker, erratc and nudicious, but it must be ad.
mitted that he and those who acted with him. were
impeled by high motives of patriotism. They be-
ieved that Southern members ought TO keep the
House dsorganized until they had some assurance
that the present Congress would abstain from e-
glsation injurious to the South. Had they secured
The cooperation of all the Southern representa-
tives, their object might probably have been ac-
compished Asst is, it has unquestonaby tended
10 satisfy Northern members that, in pressing their
anti-slavery measures, they are putting the Union
in peril
WASHINGTON, MONDAY, Jan. 81, 1850.
The day has been an interesting one in Con-
gress, though not much was actually done In
The Senate, Gen. Cass commenced his promised
speech on the Territory question. The day was
exceedingly unpleasant, yet the gallery of the Sc
nate was crowded, whilst Senators seemed to be
listless. The General endeavoured TO lay his
foundations so deep, that it was hard TO Tell what
sort OF an editice he proposed to build upon them;
and, as he occupied nearly all the hour listened
10 him with rnall,rsr IL