Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-23


Convention would terminate with the dissemination Of
materials calculated to abate the attachment of the peo
pie to the Union. L was considerations of this nature
which led Georgia, Tennessee Louisiana, and the dis
contents of Florida not merely to refrain from express
ing their appreciation, but to declare their dsapproba-
ton, of the Convention. If those States might re-
gard it, and large portions OF State, he put ii
to those who heard him to say ievery consideration OIL
prudence should not induce them to withhold their APP
prevail If he had succeeded in guarding them against
The idea that this was question whether we should
maintain Southern rights, and not whether should
approve doubtful scheme, he could not doubt their de-
cision
been imprudent thing in the first instance, that was
one question; but it different question whether we
should now alter in endorsing it, for to do SO, would
render our position suspicious He answered this by
asking again if any body doubted the resolution OF
Louisiana and those States which had declined to take
part in the Convention, or doubted that they would stand
by Virginia, in support of the Southern causel There
was danger of Vrginia's impalring Southern nfu-
ence by turning her back on these counses but there
great danger of her losing her character tor love OF
law and elaboration by accepting them.
! Another consideration 1t was charged and imputed
that the altered tone of Northern members of Congress
the result of the threatening attitude OF the South
He did not for moment deny that the firm position of
the South had had its influence The North had seen
that in earnest and decided. 1t was not the
proposition to hold Southern Convention which led
the improved tone of Congress. 1t was the evident
nestness OF the South together with the increasing mad
ness of Northern agitators. The difficulty had been
noby met by Northern statesmen of both political par
ties. Webster, and, not less than Webster, Cass, had
come up to the vndcaton of the rights of the country
They did So not under the influence of threat The
eanestness of the South and the agitation OF the North
made the occasion tor the efforts of their noble spirits
What would be said in Websters and Casss country
where they had put their personal characters at stake
| II the Southern Convention were now persisted n!
Men would point to the South and ask, "Of what eff
fect have been your catholic counsels! We were will
ing with you, to orbear, but the South not willing
give us credit for yielding to your arguments. 1t
tshed with nothing but that it should go forth that
have yielded to brsng threats. Its course forces
separate from you" He put it to all to saw whether in
this picture, he had not kept within the springs of human
conduct.
1t was well known that all sectional feeling, no mat
ter what it's source end, entertained for the time
being, with undoubting reliancet with Anti
Masonry and would be with any other local senti-
ment-it was espoused with all the confidence OF an
enlightened devotee ID his sacred religion If New Eng
laud and the North should in Southern example
occasion and inducement for sectional combination, for
the purpose of affecting the federal government by an
array OF geographical strength, and should resort
these geographical combinations, In the OF
son. how long would this glorious Union last He regard
ed the Southern Convention embodyng all the ele-
ments otdsunion 1t could not be held without making
sep-and might be fearful step-to anarchy and dis
solution-Wa shirgton and Madison warned us against
such combinations as the OF every danger the
perpetuiy of our institutions lie did believe there was
the remotest analogy between the motives of those who
advocated the Nashville Convention and Of those who
advocated the Hartford Convention. The men were diff
terent and their motives different But, with this
wide difference nothing was more certain than that it
was the end OF each OF these schemes by of ge-
ographca combination TO affect the operations OF the
federal government. Was not that principle of action
in the Hartford Convention which elected the condem-
nation and disgust OF the country! And he would
put it to the considerale thoughtful judgment of those
he was addressing; when we should go into the ash
vile Convention to determine what shall be the char
acter OF the measures to be pursuedcoud that be done
without an invocation OF the principle OF geographical
combination which so unfavourable to the integrity
OF our institutions! portion OF the Confederacy
could not enter into such combination without dmi-
nshng the strength OF traternal ties
In conclusion Mr.. M. said, that as there was no ne
cessity Tor the Nashville Convention with any reference
to its avowed Objects and it might prove to be dam
gerous, he called upon those composing the meeting as
lovers OF the Unon citizens of this proud Common
wealth, which had hitherto turned its face in rigid re-
| sistance to all sectional combinations he called upon
them, in their double relation OF citizens OF the Union
and citizens OF Virginia. TO decline sending delegates to
Nashville, Thanking the meeting for its patient atten
ton, he declared his determination acquiesce cheer
fully III the course they might determine to pursue and
under no circumstances that could arise to separate his
fortunes from those OF his fellow citizens, When Mr.
MAcFARLANp closed his speech, there general and
continued applause
Mr. PEYToN JOHNSTON next gained the floor. He
seconded the resolutions offered by Mr.. Mactacand
and called for the reading of letter that had been writ
ten,by Mr. Boris Loud cries for Bots" Rotts."
and much conlusipn.
Mr.. Lyons expressed the hope that before any docu-
| ment was read to the meeting, those who had come
through such weather as this and were disposed ex
press their views might be allowed to do So II no one
else wished speak, he desired make some remarks
The CHAIRMAN said that Mr.. Boris name had been
called for by great many, and it due to him to ex-
plain why he was not here to comply with that call
He was proceeding to produce letter from that gentle
man, when
MIR. LYONS explained that he had misunderstood the
call that had been made, thinking it was request
that letter which had been published in the newspa
pers might be read.
The Chairman then proceeded to read the following
letter from the Hon. JOHN M Boris, first stating that it
was in reply to letter signed by about $50 ctzens in
viting Mr. Bolts attendance heia tonight for the pur-
pose Of addressing the meeting;
April 49, 1850.
GENTLEMEN-l have received your letter, signed by a
large number OF persons, expressing desire hear my
views in reference to the proposed Nashville Conven-
ton and for this purpose inviting to be present at an
adjourned meeting OF the citizens of Richmond to be
held at the African Church on tomorrow evening
Holding myself at al times subject to the call of my
friends in the city of Richmond TO whom am under so
many obigaons,l it is with uneigned regret and en-
barrassment, that feel constrained to decline the nv
taon so flatteringy rendered not that my views on
that subject are at all doubtful or that willing
they should be made known to all nor yet, that shrink
from any labor responsibility, that an acceptance
might subject me to- but because, upon reflection, do
not see how it would be possible for me- in common |
courtesy others, occupy the time that would be ne
cessay to discuss that question in all its bearings in
manner that would prove satisfactory either to you or
tomyself or that would enable me to justice to the
subject AS matter OF course, those gentlemen who
are expected to present their report, would be en-
titled to fair opportunity of sustaining and vim
dicatng their views, and with the number of speak
ers that might reasonably, aad with certainty, DO
expected to take part in the proceedings OF the
meeting, the time that could be appropriated to me-
would should think, be altogether insufficient for the
purpose; and if from the consideration Of my having
been invited 10 address them, the meeting should be
inclined to allow me ample time fear i; would create
dissatisfaction with some, which might lead to such re-
suits as transpired in Albemae and Caroline, by in
ducng the peculiar friends of the measure to withdraw.
and act on their own responsibility, by which has been
already converted into Gf it was not so originality
party, and not popular movement. To be sure such
would strip their proceedings appointments
OF all weight, authority respect yet feel unwngto
be in any degree the means OF bringing about such dis
cord and Improperly in the orderly and we'll regulated
city OF Richmond
Heel however the less reluctance in declining to take
part in the deliberations OF the meeting from the fact
that feel assured upon question Of so much mpor-