The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-18

thereof, ~ they valub their deasest privileges,
their sovereignty. their independence, their rights
Of property, 70 take firm, united, and concerted
action in this emergency.
6. Resolved unanimously, That the Governor
of this Commonwealth be, and he is hereby re-
quested to transmit copies of the foregoing pream-
BE and resolutions TO the Executive Departments
Of the States of this Union.
RESOLUTIONS on the subject Of the Wilmot Proviso
and other kindred subjects, and An regard to
slavery in the District OF Columbia. Adopted
January Goth, l849
Omitting the preamble, the resolutions are
L. Be ii therefore resolved by the General assembly
of the State Of Virginia, That after the fullest ex-
animation and reconsideration of the resolutions
adopted on the eighth Of March, eighteen hundred
and forty seven, by this body, we do CONSIDER
said resolutions as founded in truth, consonant
with the Constitution, and conducive to its preser
walton and therefore we feel it TO be our indis-
pensable duty tosadhere TO, and re-afhrm them AS
follows: There LIST, End Sd, 4th, and 5th reso-
lutions OF that date are quoted at large.
g. Resolved, That we regard the passage Of
law by the Congress Of the United States, abol-
ishing slavery the slave trade IN the District of
Columbia, as direct attack upon the institutions
hazard.
3. Resolved That in the event of the passage by
Congress of the Wilmot Proviso, or any law
abolishng slavery the slave trade in the District
of Columbia, the Governor of this Commonwealth
is requested Immediately to convene the Legisla-
ture Of this State (if it shall have adjourned, to
consider Of the mode and measure Of redress
A. Resolved. That the Governor Of this Com
monwealth be requested TO send copy of these
resolutions TO each Of the States of this Unon and
also to our Senators and Representatives.
Preamble and Resolutions in relation TO the Wilm0t
Proviso and kindred subjects. (.adopted Feb. IL,
1850
Whereas, the recent action of the General AS
sembly upon the WilmOt Proyiso and kindred
subjects, and in relation to fugitive slaves, has met
with no other response from the non-slaveholding
States, than violent denuncation, and systematic
perseverance in the wrongs of which we COM
planned: And whereas it is apparent that the nev-
table result of such course OF action on the
part Of a portion Of the States must be to excite
bitterness, jealousy, and distrust among the rest,
to kndle the angriest passions, extinguish that
spirit of concessions and destroy that mutual for
bearance and fraternal affection which founded
and have sustained our confederacy, and finally to
dissolve the Union ITSELF And whereas, we are
anxious, if possible, to avert the evils which
threaten us, and believe that the most efectual
means Of doing this are to be found in the cordial
union Of the whole South for the maintenance of
the Constitution, and the preservation Of the
Union, If it can be preserved, and for their own
if it cannot.
Be it therefore resored by the General assembly
of Virginia, That upon the questions thus perse-
veringly and recklessly forced upon the country,
Virginia has taken her position, and that position
will be maintained. Her loyalty to the Union is
no matter of empty professlon-lt is stamped upon
20 ,ar M has as
much to form the Union; none is prepared to do
more to perpetuate it in the spirit in which it
formed. and in which alone it can be preserved.
But loyal as she is and always has been, 1t were
a fatal error to suppose that Virginia will ever
consent that that Union to which she has looked
as a source of happiness and honor, shall be con-
yerted into an instrument Of degradation and OPP
preston.
9. Resolred, That in the event Of the passage Of
the Wilmot Proviso, or of any law abolishing
slay ery in the District of Columbia, in any
manner interfering with the rights Of shareholders
therein, or aboshng slavery in, or the slave-trade
between the States, Virginia Will be prepared to
unite with her sister saveholding States, in con-
yention or otherwise, in the adoption of any mea-
sures that may be necessary to provide for their
mutual defence, or to secure their common safety.
8. Resolved, That in the opinion of the General
Assembly, Southern Convention, In which the
States as States are represented, should consist OF
delegates selected by the people OF the several
States in Convention assembled, who should carry
with them all the authority derived from such an
Appointment, and be prepared to act for those
whom they represent.
A. Resolved, therefore, That upon the happen
ing Of either of the contingencies contemplated IN
the second resolution, the Governor be authorised
and requested (instead of convening the Legisa-
tlre) to issue his proclamation for the election OF
delegates to a State Convention, to take into con-
Dc of radr
power to appoint delegates to Southern Conven-
ton, and to adopt such measures as the Crisis
NAV demand The said delegates to be chosen by
ch city, county or election district, according
to its representation in the House of Delegates,
and to receive the same pay and mileage as menu
bers of the General Assembly.
S. Resolved, That regarding the Convention pro-
posed to be held at Nashville, on the the first Mon
day in June next, as intended to enable the people
of the South to take counsel together as the best
and most effectual means Of resisting the agrees
sons of the North, of enforcing compliance on
their part with their constitutional obligations, ana
thereby of preserving the union of these States,
now in imminent peril, by reason Of the course
pursued by the non-slayehoding States, and their
representatives in Congress, in the ceaseless agta-
ton (and that too in the most unfriendly spriD OF
questions involving the peace, the institutions,
and the very existence of the Southern States /;
and approving the objects of said Convention, as
above set forth, the General Assembly doth re-
commend to the good people of this Common
wealth to send delegates thereto and that to this
end they hold primary meetings in each city,
county and election district in the State, and APP
point delegates to a Convention, to be held in
each Congressional district, in the month Of May
next, and that the district conventions so consti-
tuted, do each select two persons Zone from each
Of the two political parties of the country who
shall be delegates to the said Nashville Conven-
ton.
6. Resolved, That the Governor of the Com
monwealth be requested to send copy Of these
resolutions to each of the States of this Union,
and also to our Senators and Representatives in
Congress.
THE NORTHERN MEMBERS and presses
have become, all at once, very hostile to COM
pound legislation. They insist on passing