Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-17
THE WEsTMoRELAND PROCEEDINGS

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We insert, in another column, the official report
OF the proceedings of public meeting held in
Westmoreland county, with reference to the ques-
tons involved in the sectional controversy. 1t
will be seen that the resolutions were introduced
by the Hon. Willoughby Newton One of them
is particularly worthy of notice, because it con-
tains declaration which has been sanctioned by
no other popular assemblage, so far as we are in
formed, that has convened in this State We re-
fer to the sixth resolution, which is as follows:
Resolped That ape regard the proposition to admit
California into the Un0n oith her proposed bounda-
ries, as in respect more deensibe than the ilmot
prooiso and we brethren of the North in the
most friendly spirit of the danger of forcing this most
offensive measure the people of the Southern States
To place the admission of California, as this re-
solution does, on the same footing of ofensveness
with the Wilmost proviso, is, unquestionably, a
step in advance of the position which has been
assumed by Virginia and all the other Southern
States, except Georgia, and, in our humble judg-
ment, it is an unwise step. The South denies the
constitutionalty of the Wilmot Proviso, but has
never denied, for it could not honestly deny, the
power of Congress to admit new States. Neither
can the South consistently or rightly take the
ground, that the prohibition of slavery in the CAL
lfornia constitution is cause for excluding her.
That would be to espouse the exploded doctrine
OF the Missouri restriction, that Congress may
prescribe to the people of a Territory conditions
without which it shall not be admitted into the
Union, and which pertain to matters confessedly
within the purvew of the domestic legislation of
every sovereign State. The admission of Cali
fornia, therefore, would not afford such cause of
resistance to the Federal authority, as the South
ern States have with unanimity recognised, in an
unconstitutional law prohibiting slavery in the
Territories. But the question, whether the South
should resist law for the admission OF Califor-
mia, is materially different from the question, whe-
Their Southern members should use every means
in their power to prevent the admission unless ac-
companied by satisfactory adjustment of the
controversy respecting the Territories. Before
the bill for admission becomes law, the whole
subject is open, and we trust Southern Senators
and Representatives will maintain their ground
with unwavering firmness, that California and
the Territories must be united in one bill or else
California fail to secure admission
We are happy to see that the views we have
expressed are entirely sustained by the course of
the Southern statesmen in the Senate, who are
now so efficiently contending for Justice to their
section of the Union. During the interesting de-
bate of Thursday last, Mr.. Benton reproached
Mr.. King, of Alabama, with endeavoring to
make California come into the Union in Circuit
tous manner, to make her purchase and buy the
privilege of excluding slavery from her bounda-
ries"
Mr. KING replied entirely disclaim, sir any inten
ton of acting the subject OF California either admis-
sion admission reference the question of
slavery whether is not prohibited in her constu-
ton. l believe | can disclaim it for nearly all nv
friends. '
Mr.. MANeUM. For all: for all.
MI. KING. The only object have in view is that
as the subject matter involved certain difficulties
might got the committee for investigation to see how
far we can get those difficulties and thus bring
California into tine Union without prejudicng the rights
OF other States. No indignity certainly is offered to
California; there is no disposition do ANYTHING more
than TO protect rights | dsclaim distinctly
any Intention either directly indirectly or bv any
mode whatever operate against the admission of Ca
hornia in consequence of her having prohibited sla-
very hold that where Territory is organized with
proper limits the people have right under the consti
tuon 10 say whether slavery shall exist there or not;
ana they choose TO prohibit it, we have right re-
Ject them on that account
The disclaimer made by Mr.. Mangum, without
correction, for all the Senators from the South,
proves that the sentiment of the Westmoreland
resolution does not prevail amongst those who are