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

Inc meeting having been called 10 order, coIiecuon
was taken, at the suggestion OF Major H. Z. CABELL
to deiray the expenses of the two meetings
Col JOHN A. MEREDITH, Chairman Of the commit
tee of thirteen previously appointed rose ana s'aeo ha'
the committee had had under adyisemen the subjects
referred to them, and had instructed MN 10 present
Report which he read as follows:
We the people of Richmond, IN primary meeting as
sembed, do resolve,
l. That the passage by Congress OF the Wlmot Pro-
viso or of any law aboshng slavery in the District OF
Columbia in any manner interfering with the rights
of shareholders therein aboshing slavery in, or the
slave trade between the States will be palpable vio-
laton of the Constitutions; and the systematic efforts
made by the non-sayeholdng States TO accomplish
these objects, and the enactment by them OF laws de-
signed prevent the recapture OF fugitive slaves, are
wanton aggressons the rights OF the slaveholding
States, which demand concerted action on their part to
counteract this aggressive policy.
g That whilst we have behed with lively satisfac
ton the manifestations OF returning otusce
the part of the North indicated by the speeches OF
of her distinguished statesmen OF both political
parties, yet in this to abate vigil
lance to abandon that preparation necessary tor the
firm assertion of our rights, and the unyelding defence
OF our institutions.
g. That we heartily appove Of the resolutions passed
at the last session of Legislature, and deem 1t adj
vsable to consult with our brethren OF the South on the
means best calculated to harmonic the conflicting
views and opinions already expressed In several OF tne
Southern States OF the questions now pending
before Congress- and to avert the alarming crisis which
threatens rights and safety and endangers the
permanence Of the Union itself
4. That in pursuance of the recommendation con-
tanned in the fifth Of those resolutions and for the pur-
poses therein specified, will unite In sending dele
gates the Convention proposed to be held in Nashville
in June next.
s. That we entertain and abiding attachment to the
Union of the States bound together by the Const!-
tuition given by fathers and, with entire comb
dence in the loyalty of our Southern brethren to the
Union, and with firm reliance their devotion to the
q hesitate
in Convention, and doubt not they will cordially unite
healing the dissensons which disturb the con1eo-
eracy and in avetng the dangers which threaten he
South.
G. That we honor and applaud those statesmen who,
rising above party and sectional interests have exhn
tied such enlarged patriotism and such splenolo aoi-
ties their efforts advise scheme tor tde settle-
Of present difficulties and that we would re-
joice in the success their noble exertions.,
7. That-be appointed delegates to the District
Convention, proposed by our friends IN Goochland to
be held in this city.sn Wednesday, the 18th day of May
next for the purpose of selecting two delegates to rep
resent this Congressional District in the Nashville Con-
vention.
Col. Meredith proceeded briefly to explain and sup
port the resolutions embodied in the report, and par-
cularly the one which relates to the Nashville Conven
ton. He said they based upon the resolutions
adopted by the Legs aure and he read the latter that
the meeting might understand what it was invited to
approve. He laid stress on the phraseology OF the
fourth resolution of the report, concurng in the re-
commentator of the Nashville Convention, and for the
purposes specified by the Legislature, which are that
the Southern States may take counsel together as TO
the best means of resisting Northern aggressons, and
thereby of preserving the Union. He commended that
nothing had occurred since The Legislature passed its
resolutions to render unnecessary now what was ne
cessary them and he said, at that time there was not
dissenting voice. the press of this city al approved,
and there seemed to be general concurrence of popular
sentiment. He did not think the facts that Mr.. Web
terhad made speech, and that he had received two
letters, from Boston and the other from New York
with about 1000 signatures each or that we had been
granted the privilege ola committee in the Senate, SUI
cient induce the South to abandon the she
had chalked out to herself. Did any man believe that
Webster would have made his Speech if he had not
seen that the South determined not to submt2 He
had admitted in effect that he would not in the speech
itself Gentlemen said let the North alone, be quiet
and don't EXCITE angry feelings. We had tried what
Southern frmness would do; if we adhered to it, we
should get the question settled He referred to the pro-
gress OF Northern agitation by organized association
whilst the South had been quiet and resisted the dexa
that if we dare assemble, it is sectional and deserv
ing the stigma Of treason. He pointed out the disnc
ton made by the Legislature between the Nashville
Convention, and another Southern Convention, to be
latter was to be constituted OF delegates elected by
State Convention, to be called by the Governor. But
the Nashville Convention designed to avert the
contingency on which the other TO be called. Its
proprety was at one time universally concured in and
should we not go and send delegates Could there
be any danger in i We were told, it was sectional,
but there could be no Convention on the subject Of
slavery that was not sectional; for the institution
itself sectional And, when we proposed to hold
such Convention, to consult about rights, were
to be lectured with passages from Washngtona Fare
well Address
Mr. A. J. CRANE made speech Of some length, in
opposition to the report His remarks, he said him.
SELF were OF very desutory character, and we cannot
undertake to report them in full He commenced by
abiding certain attacks the Democratic press upon
himself which he repealed in very strong language, pro-
nouncing the charges false and mpudent He declared
that he had gained light since the first meeting to
the object of the Nashville Convention and complained
that the Committee had given satisfactory
He charged that the whole thing Democratic
movement, and likened those Wings who permitted
themselves be caught by it to the fly which the spider
kindly invited to walk into his parlour Hsfiend Col
NJ, he said, was Whig and was an example of"walk
into my parour, said the spider TO the fly" And so
was his friend, Mr.. LYONS, who also Whg~-but,
honour bright, he would keep nothing back he the
strangest sort of Wing he ever knew any thing about
This sally produced much laughter, and all eyes
turned towards Mr. LYoNs.l
Mr.. Lyons came forward, from his seat and said he
did not hearthe remark, which seemed to have been
directed to him. He wished TO hear it repeated
Mr.. MCFARLAND rose to express the hope that the
Chair would not allow personal reflections, for they
must lead to confusion. We had met as Southern men
to consider an important subject of common interest to
ALL and there was no propriety in any illusions ap
appeals calculated to elicit feeling.
Mr. LYONS insisted upon it as act OF justice to him
SELF that the remark of Mr. CRANE should be repeated
evidently supposng that it Of an offensive charac-
ter He said he never sought controversy and did
not now but ready here and every where, to meet
and repel any assault.
Mr.. CRANE said he would repeat the remark but did |