Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-18
Friday Morning, January 18th, 1850,
THE SOUTHERN CONVENTION-HOW
CALLED

the Times, series of resolutions which had then
recently been adopted by a very remarkable conven-
ton of delegates that met at Jackson on the first
OF that month, representing all the counties of the
State of Mississippi. As it is in conformity
with recommendation first suggested in these
resolutions, that it is now urged that Virginia shall
send delegates to a general convention of the
Southern States, to be held at Nashville, Tennes-
see, in June next, we deem important now to re-
publish them. The reader will see that the great
Southern Conference is proposed, in order to Sc
cure unanimity of sentiment and action in regard
to the means proper to be resorted to for the pur-
pose of maintaining the constitutional rights of the
South.
The Mississippi Convention was called without
reference to political differences and the most dis
tinguished gentlemen of either party participated
in its deliberations. lis presiding officer was the
eminent Judge Sharkey, President of the Supreme
Court of the State who enjoys reputation as
wide as his country, both as a Wing, and as the
leading opponent of State reputation COM
mittee at the head of which was Judge W1kin-
son, presented to the Convention a report, pre-
pared, we believe, by Judge Winchester, one of its
members, in which the actual and apprehended
wrongs of the South were succincty set forth,
and the following resolutions recommended for
adoption:
lst RESOLVED, That we continue to entertain p de-
voted and cherished attachment to the Union but we
desire to have it as it formed and not as an engine
OF oppression.
q That the institution of slavery in the Southern
States is left by the Constitution, exclusively under the
control OF the States in which exists part of their
domestic policy, which they, and thew oniy have the
right to regulate, abolish or perpetuae, as they may
severay judge expeden and that all attempts on the
part OF Congress- Others to interfere with this SUBJ
ec either directly or indirectly, in violation of the
Constitution dangerous to the rights and safety of the
South, and ought to be promptly resisted.
. That Congress has no power to pass any law abo-
the slave trade between the severa! States to prohibit
the introduction OF slavery into the territories of the
United States and that the passage by Congress Of any
the Constitution, but would afford evidence of fixed
and deliberate design, the part of that body to inter-
tere with the institution OF slavery in the States
4. That we would regard the passage by Congress of
the "Wmot Proviso" (Which would, in effect, deprive
the citizens of the slaveholdng States of an equal par
tlcpaton In the territories acquired equally by their
blood and treasure as an unjust and insulting discrmi
naton-to which these States cannot, without political
degradation submit; and to which this Convention re-
presenting the feelings and opinions of the people of
Mississippi, soemnly DECLARE they will not submit.
law abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia by
the Congress of the United States would of itself, be
will make it the duty as is the right OF slave holding
States to take OF their safety and to treat the
nonsaveholding States enemies to the slaveholdng
States and their domestic institutions
g. That the Legislature is hereby requested to pass
such laws as may IN their opinion be best calculated
to encourage the emigration of citizens Of the slave
holding States, with their slaves to the new territories
OF the United States.
Z. That, in view Of the frequent and increasing evil
dence OF the determination OF the people Of the non
savehoding States to disregard the guarantees of the
Constitution, and to agtae the subject of slavery both
in and out OF Congress- avowedy for the purpose of eff
ecng its abolition in the States and also in view of the
facts forth in the late Address OF the Southern MEM
bers OF Congress, this Convention proclams the deli
berate conviction that the time has arrived when the
Southern States should take counsel together for their
common safety; and that Convention of the slave
holding States should be held at Nashville, Tenn, on
the LIST MONDAY In JUNE next to devise and adopt
some mode OF resistance these aggressions and that
this Convention do appoint twelve delegates and twelve
administering double the number OF Senators and
Representatives in Congress-to attend such Conven-
ton, and that the other sayehodng States be invited
appoint delegates agreeaby to the ratio of re-
presentation.
8. That in the language Of eminent Northern wr-
ger and patriot rights of the South in African SER
wee, exist not only under but the Constitution
hey existed before the government formed The
Constitution rather sanctioned by them than they by
the Constitution. Had not that instrument admitted the
sovereignty OF those rights never would have been
rights Older in their date, stronger in their claims and
holier in their nature than any other which the Const
tuition can boast Those rights may not be changed
even by a change OF the Constitution. They out of
the reach OF the nation, nation. The confederacy
may dissolve and the Constitution away, but those
rights will remain unstakeu-will exist while the South
exists-and when they fall, the South will perish with
hem"
g. That to procure unity and prompness of action in
TINS State, this Convention recommends that central
State association be formed at the Capital and atfi-
hated county associations within the several counties OF
the State
10. That we recommend to the Legislature of this
state that at ITS next session. law be enacted making
it the duty OF the Governor Of the State by proclama-
ton, to call General Convention of the State and to
issue wns OF election based upon the ratio of represent
taton IN the State Legislature, upon the passage by
Congress- OF the Wilmot Provso or any law abolish
ing slavery in the District of Columbia, or prohibiting
the slave trade between the States to take into consde
raon the act OF aggression, and the mode and measure
of redress.
II. Thata committee of six be chosen by the Con-
venon 10 prepare an address TO the people OF the slave
holding States.
The resolutions were unanimously ADOPTED,
and the following delegates to the Nashville Con-
Vention were appointed in accordance with the
seventh:
~; For the State at large-W. L. Sharkey, A. NJ
Glaylqn II: l. Ellet and G. Il Sturges. Aliernates--
II. Harrison. 49, 0"A''''' anu -
First Congressional District-J. w. Matthews and
ford ~ - ~ i'f"u'
Second District-T. N. Waul and j. B. Cobb. AL
teInateS1keuben Davis and Charles B. Sheppard.
1h'rd ), Dlstrlct-E.C c; Chambers and E. C. Wilkin-
son; AHernates-W. R. Hill and Patrick Sharkey,
foarfh Dastr1ct-George Winchester and d. Cooper
-AHernates-David Hurst and Henry Monger
1t will not escape attention that the mode of ap
pointing the delegates to Nashville adopted in
Mississippi, is materially different from that re-
commended by the special committee of the Vir-
gina House of Delegates. The South Carolina
Legislature, in its recent resolutions, secondno
the recommendation by Mississippi of Southern
Convention, fell upon still another plan of ap-
pointment, as will be seen from two of the reso-
lntons, which are as follows:
3 Resoloed, That for the purpose of carrying out
the recommendations of the people of Mississippi it is
eApeqeIl lial IA legislative caucus should nominate
tour Delegates to represent the State at larne in the
Convention proposed to be held at Nashville