The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-21
THE SOUTHERN CONVENTION.

The project of a Southern Convention fails to
command the unanimous support of the South.
The r ehmond (Va) Whig is evidently hostile to
it, but acquiesces in the modified report of the
committee on the subject In the Virginia Legis-
lature, which merely recommends the appoint
ment of delegates by the People, and does not pro-
pose to clothe them with any authority.
The same paper says that the press of all par
ties in Western Virginia is out against the move
ment.
The Raleigh N, c. Register asks
"What, then, is the Convention to be called
forl Why do not the individuals who are press
ing the movement tell us what is the object? Un-
til satisfied on this point, the State should hest
tate long time before committing ITSELF by the
hands of few men, to abide whatsoever course they
moythink Propsr 10 01or"
The GreeasborOugh IN. c. Patriot says
eff dissolution is not aimed at, we do not clear
ly see the necessity for the Convention. 1t could
effect no more perfect unanimity Of sentiment
than exists at present and could not express South
ern sentiment more strongly than it has already
been done by the Legislatures of most of the
Southern States.
"If dissolution is the object of the Convention,
hardly be committed TO the project by set of
irresponsible delegates They must be clothed
with more authority and go under more solemn
sanctions than can be conferred by the usual
hasty process of courthouse and crossroads
meetings"
The National Imelhgmcer, which is laboring
manfully for the preservation of the Union, con-
tains, in its edition of the 10Th, extracts from
twenty-three prominent Southern newspapers
in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia
Alabama Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee,
Kentucky, and Missouri, expressing the most de-
voted attachment to the Union, and hostility to
all projects of Disunion From our own exchanges
in the South we could add many more
For one, we shall not condemn in advance the
Southern Convention 1t will be time enough to
denounce it as treasonous, when it shall have CON-
mitted some overt act That the People of any
section of the country have a perfect right to
meet in Convention to consult upon their suppos-
ed grievances, and the appropriate remedies for
them, no msu in his senses will deny. And We
have no objection that such Convention should
calculate the value Of the Union. Americans are
calculating People We know nothing so sacred
that II should command our blind veneration
The Union we would cherish, not as an end but q
nleans-a means for the establishment of Justice
Peace, tranquility for the extension and pres
ervatiOn OF Free Institutions Failing in thes,
respects it would be worthless. We do not be-
lieve it has thus faied-it has subserved these
high ends, imperfectly it may be, but yet better
than any other political organization that could
have been formed in this country and We hope
that il will be rendered still more eficacious fol
the accomplishment of these noble purposes Thi
is our calculation. Were it not SO, did we belev,
with certain citizens of the North that it was sub
versive of Justice and Liberty, or with certain
citizens Of the South that it was used as mere
instrument for the sggrandzement of one section
at the expense of another, and the overthrow o
State rights, we should be Disunonist in prin
ciplc, and stand prepared to avow and defend ouI
convictions.
Let the value of the Union be calculated--w
have no fear of the result. Let the Southern
Convention be held-lct the wisest and best cti
zens of the South meet to take into consideration
the question whether the substantial interests o
that section and of the whole country can b
promoted by dissolution Of the compact that nov
binds the States in one Republic Let them cal
culate the value Of the Union, and the conse
quences Of Disunion. A committee Of the ables
men Of the South might be constituted to inquir
into the relations of the Union, to
The Growth Of Civilization on this Continent
The Power and Wealth Of the Republic.
Its exemption from Foreign intrigue and inter
ference.
The Cause of Peace
The Cause OF Free Trade.
The Establishment of Justice and Domesti
tranquility.
The Maintenance and Extension Of Free In
stitutions.
And also into the probable consequences Q
Disunion In relation TO