The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-20

IN the laEt resort, when shall have exhausted
every enorto secure the cooperation Of the South.
We are not yet prepared for secession. He thought
that we would secure the cooperation Of the
Southern States; the disposition to secede was
progressive, and would soon pervade the whole
South. He was in favor OF a Southern congress,
and he thought we were bound to carry out the
recommendations of the Nashville Convention.
This convention omitted to designate place and
time for the meeting of such Southern congress ;
and his resolutions would remedy this omission ;
including, as they did, special time, unless some
other State should fix an earlier day. He prefer
red that the delegates to this congress should be
elected by a convention OF e. G people; which con-
vention could subsequently ratify their acts. II
however, this congress should provea failure, and
demonstrate that the other Southern States would
not go with us, then he was prepared for inme-
date secession on the part Of this State
Mr.. Harrison followed and proceeded to address
the committee. lie Vas in favor of immediate aud
decisive action on the part of this State. We have
already waited too long; shall gain no strength
by delay, and he was prepared for immediate Seces-
sion. He thought It the only remedy, aud he was
fully prepared TO face the consequences. He ad-
vocated convention of the people of this State
as a preliminary measure. He thought the most
etfectual mode of securing the cooperation Of the
South, was by seeding.
Mr.. II. was followed by Mr.. Dawton. He
craved the Indulgence of the committee for ad-
dressing them at this late period of the discussion.
He would not discuss the question Of the right Of
secesson-he thought this a conceded point. He
was not prepared to advocate separate secession.
He did not think that the Fugitive slave bill
would be repealed at the present session-the
people Of the North not disposed to repeat
their njurios-their policy is to soohe the South
by conciating them, until they can final accom-
pllsh their last and ost desired object the aboli
ton Of slavery. He feared that overtures would
be made to Mississippi which might induce them
to submit. He thought South Carolina should
take the lead she Is now left without excuse. He
thought we could not expect cooperation from
the South. He thought the people Of this State
would be sadly disappointed if this leg islature
should ad journ without calling convention. He
believed that ma jority Of the people Of this
State were in favor of such a step. He thought
that twelve months time would be amply sutfi
Gent to place the State in complete condition Of
defence. He thought the abuses of the Govern
ment had been sufficient to Justify secession by
the Southern States. He was in favor of
vention Of the people Of this State; and also Of
placing the State in condition of defence.
Mr.. John J. Middleton next addressed the COM
mittee. He gave notice that he would make q
proposition to the committee to report to the
house, the bill providing for the calling Of con-
vention of the people. He replied to the argu-
ments Of Mr.. B. +. Perry the sub jecr of seces-
sion. He confined his remarks primer ally to the
advocacy of his resolutions, providing for refusing
to fill the present vacancy in the senatorship. he
thought the legislature had the power to appoin,
delegates to Southern congress without the in
terventon Of convention of the people, and he
WAS in favor Of the assembling of such a conven-
ton. lie was opposed to the bill establishing a
system Of police with regard to persons visiting
this State, unfriendy to institutions He
would propose to amend the bill providing for
calling convention Of the people, by substituting
the time of the meeting OF such congress the first
Monday in January, 1852.
The committee then rose, and will sit again to-
morrow at clock. MIR. A. w. Thompson has
! the floor tomorrow.