The southern press., 1850-10-09
The Warrenton Dinner.

We have abstained from any account of the
Warrenton dinner, because we preferred that the
proceedings which we expected tonight, should
speak for themselves.
But the Warrenton Flag Of 90, which has
come to hand, does not contain them, and prom
ises them next week. Meanwhile, that paper
refers to the meeting in the following terms
DINNER TO MEssRs. MASON AND HUNTER
On "Wednesday last, n large company partook
Of a sumptuous dinner served in excellent style
by the Messrs Baker of this place, at their ho-
tel, by agreement with the committee of arrange
ments, in compliment to our Senators in Con-
gress, for the ZEAL fr,nncss, and ability, with
which they have defended the tights of the
South as guaranteed by the letter and spirit OF
the Constitution. Able speeches were delivered
by both Senators, and also by Ellwood Fisher,
ESQ.,, editor Of the "Southern Press" Letters
were also received from "a number OF distin-
guished citizens who had been invited to attend.
We regret that the length Of the proceedings,
and the late period at which we received them,
prevent their appearance this week. Wcexpect
to publish them entire in our next issue.
Meanwhile we will say that while a love for
the Union pervaded the company, it was also
coupled with the feeling that there are some
things dearer even than the Union that if the
Constitution which is the bond of our Union, is
tramplcd under foot, the Union is virtually de-
stroyed, and that submission to an oppression
inflicted on us in violation Of constitutional
rights and social equality, is,a disgrace TO avert
which no sacrifice is too great. We believe
that there was disposition to act rashly, but
there was coo!, calm determination to hold the
North to her plighted faith, and to yield to no
further compro misses, if compromises they can
be called. which, as soon acquired, become
merely advanced positions, from which our enc
mics assail us with renewed ardor and increased
effect
IF the North really desire the Union to last.
let her prepare to abide by tie Consultation: !:
and let the South, in minority in Congress,
as she now is, cling to that sacred instrument as
her only protection and with harmony in her
councils and concert in her action, let her maiil-
tain The rights intended to be secured by it ''at
all hazards and 20 the last extremity" peaceab|y,
legally, constitutonally, if she can forcibly, if
she must.
Andthercupon the Richmond Enquirer makes
the following comments:
The dinner came off last "Wednesday, but we
have not yet received the details. We publish
below the brief notice Of the scene by the War.
renton Flag. 1t gives us sincere pleasure to
observe that q. love for the Union pervaded the
whole company that there was ''no disposition
to act rashly,T but a "cooI, cam determination
to hold the Worth to her plighted faith, and to
WELL to no further compromises" In what has
past our friends have honestly differed as to
what was the best and most honorable policy to
pursue. That has now gone by--and we are
pleased to know that not whisper of secession
or disunon was breathed on an occasion, when
some persons apprehended an expression of sym
pathy with the dlsunionists further South. We
are prepared, land upon this question there can
be but one voice at the ;soutni 10 bold the North
to her plighted faith, and 10 rally in resistance,
shonld the present Efficient fugitiee slave law
be repeaied by the Northern uaiority in Con-
gress, or the compact be broken in any other
respect.
Now we beg leave to say that the love Of the
there was no disposition manifested to regard the
late acts OF Congress rs compromise Mt all, or to
hold the North to It's plighted fiith therein. As
for the valiant offer of the Eag,ireyto stand by
the South, and to rally in resistance, should the
present fugitive slave bill be repealed by The
Northern majority in Congress, &c, it is TOO
sckening--after the past course Of that paper.
The present fugitive bill repealed 1t will not
be rcpealed-it will be modified so MS to be a
slave runaway -protection-bilI before two ses-
sons of Congress are over; and instead Of this
being done BY Northern majority, it will be
done by compromise, and by the aid Of South
ernvotes, and the Enquirer will rejoice that athe
love Of Union pervades the country"