Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-06-20
THE NASHVILLE CONVENTION

Inc NashSlie convention has met and ad
journed. Ga 6ono' We do not know that Sou,b.
ern rights are now more secure, or the Unio,
more permanent. nor is il less durable. The ,;s.
men of the South have gathered in Nashville ana
performed their task, and are now returning bome
To be sober lii speaking OF this genuine farce =
The work OF The Nashville Convention is summed
up in few words. II has adopted a series If
resolutions and written an address to the peoplo
of the country. The address is, of course. in Tho
dark at present The resolutions contain vague
metaphysical positions. They are eminenlly Wor.
thy 1.-THE body from which they come-iust the
things that were expected. The only one of prac.
ticabilty among them, is the establishment OF the
line ofthe Miss uri Compromise. This approach 10
reality was made at the sacrifice Of principle and
under the liability to be charged with inconsis
tency. The theory which has been taught BY the
South, is non.intervenlion yet the Nashville
Convention, the assumed guardian of Southern
rights, proposes plain act of legislation, the d.
rect effect of which is the exclusion of slavery
North and the establishment OF it South, by posi-.
tive act OF Congress. Nor is this all. The prn-
ciple of non.interference with the slave question
is constitutional provision, made for the benefit of
the South but it falls before the action ofthe Con-
vention. Why should the old landmark be washed
away and new one established at this late period
And if it must be done, let be by those properly
authorized 10 represent the VIII OF the people, and
not by the thin delegation Of meagre minority.
Let the proper forms be used 1.-THE constitutional
principle OF non-interierence is not operating for
The benefit of the South lei not the friends of the
Constitution sanction innovation, but rather let
them make the laudable effort to reform.
And now, Gin all sober seriousness" do the mem
bers of the Nashville Contention imagine that
they have done themselves credit. Do they not
know they have assembled in violation ofthe Con.
s,itution? They have assembled and adjourned
the work is done--and what is it, Resolutions and
an address or in other language ,words 1.-the cheap
defence of nations 1.-THE fish woman's WEAPON"
Words, to be influential, must be sensible, or must
come from those who are entitled to respect. We
do not now say that the Nashville Convention
will not exert great influence, for we know the
reverse. 1t is said that at one period, the habit
OF making men drunk to deter the young from
the vice of ntemperance, prevailed. And pre-
clsely the same influence that the drunken man
exerted upon the young mind then, will the Nash
vile Convention exert now.
1t has come and passed, but to meet again.
Common sense. if no. self respect, ought to keep
the members Of this body from second assem-
blagc. The people do not sympathze with such
meeting. The Constitution forbids it, nasmuch
it plainly prohibits the States from forming any
combination without consent of Congress. Men
ought to their efforts to keep alive this ex-
element. We give up the Convention TO the
aspirants for office, who, no doubt, will court the
favor of ''the dear people," by strenuous advo-
cacy of Southern Rights. We have but one sem
tence to add (: wise man suggests, that it is best
to leave the silly in the pursuit of their folly.