The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-05
From The Savannah Georgian.
Public Meeting.

/ the Exchange, on Monday evening last, for the
purpose of considering and giving expression to
their opinions upon the important questions
which now engage the public attention.
The meeting was duly organized by calling
Col. W. Thorne Williams to preside over its
deliberations, and appointing Thos H. Harden
to act as Secretary.
The chair having briefly explained the object
of the meeting; on motion of the Hon. w. b.
Fleming committee Of seven was appointed
to prepare and report a preamble and resolu-
tons for the consideration of the meeting
! The chairman nominated the following gentle
men to compose said committee: Hon. w. b.
Fleming, Hon. VIM Law, Messrs r. A. Law
ton Henry Harper, A. A. Smets, A. r. Allen
and JAS NJ Pepper, who after short absence
returned, and through their chairman, Judge
Fleming, reported the following preamble aud
resolutions, to wit:
We deem it at all times the right and in some
contingencies the duty of the people to meet in
primary assemblies, and give expression to their
opinions in regard to questions of interest pend
| ing before the country There is at present
pending before the country question the sla-
very question: big with the fate of this Union
Union under which we have lived and pros
pered for more than half century-a Union
dear to our affections--a Union with which is
associated all that is glorious in onr memory of
the past--all that is bright in our hopes of the
future--a Union, the dissolution of which we
would regard as the greatest misfortune that
could befall the human race, for we do believe
that the experiment of self-goyernment now GO
ing on in this country, under the auspices OF this
Union, is the last experiment in favor of human
rights. lift fails, the problem will be forever
solved, that man is incapable of self-govern-
ment. A result to which the despots of the
world must be looking with the most joyful an
ticipation,
| With such question pending before the
country, it is not only our right but our duty to
give expression to our opinions, If not for the
government at least for the information OF those
whose peculiar duty it is to decide this momen-
| tous question. We therefore, in the exercise of
this right, and in the discharge of this duty, do
| resolve
LIST. That it is the duty of Congress at once
and without delay to put an end to the agitation
of the slavery question by fair and honorable
adjustment Of the same on the principles of the
Constitution; that is, on grounds consistent with
the constitutional rights of every section OF the
country
| I'd. That Congress has no right under the Con-
stitution to abolish or to establish slavery wheth-
er in the States in the Territories, in the Dis,
trict of Columbia. That non-ntervention by
Congress with the subject of slavery is the true
Southern ground, because it is constitutional
ground. That the Adjustment Bill now pending
before the United States Senate, and known as
the Clay Compromise, recognizes this great prin-
ciple of non-intervention by Congress, ndwould
be settlement Of the slavery question on
grounds consistent with the constitutional rights
of every section Of the country. s.E
Sd. That the ultimatum Of the Nashville Con-
vention is Objectionable, because it contempates
no adjustmentto the boundary question between
Texas and New Mexico-because it contem-
plates no action by Congress, to facilitate the re-
covery of fugitive slaves--but principally objec-
tionable, because it is a violation of principles
of non-intervention by Congress-that ultima
tum being direct call upon Congress to recog-
nize slavery South OF particular line Of latitude.
| That in the event no other settlement of the
present difficulties, more fully recognizing South
4 ern rights, can be had, we would acquiesce in
the proposition of the Nashville Convention, but
only in Difference to the fact that the South ac-
quiesced in a like settlement of the Missouri
question.
4th. That the admission of California into the
Union, with her constitution prohibiting slavery,
iect of slavery. That the people of a territory,
|
meet in convention, and to ordain and establish
for themselves a constitution and government,
with such provisions on the subject, OF slavery,
or any other subject, as they may think most
conducive to their interests, prosperity, and hap
piness--the only restriction on the exercise OF
| this power in the Constitution of the United
States being that such constitution and govern
ment shall be republican in its character. That,
therefore, the admission of California into the
Union, would furnish no just ground for resis-
lance on the part Of the South
9Th. That it is the duty of Congress to provide
| territorial governments for Utah and New
Mexico, without the Wilmot Proviso, or any
other proviso of like character That the adop-
ton, by Congress, of any measure looking to
emancipation, in any form or at any time, would
be gross violation Of the constitutional rights
of the South, and would call for and receive the
sternest and most determined opposition on the
part of the South
| 9th. That the prohibition of Congress of the
importation of slaves into the District of Co
lumba for the purpose of sale, would not be
such legislation by Congress on the subject Of
slavery as would make necessary or justify re-
sistance on the part of the South-the same
being mere police regulation, not at all affecting
the value of the title c such property, or in any
way endangering its existence And for the
further reason that Georgia has herself so legis-
lated on this subject, having prohibited the i'm
portation of slaves into her borders for the pur-
pose of sale and traffic, and because similar
laws exist in the States of Maryland and Vir-
ginia. ....
18th. That the fugitive slave bill now pending
before Congress as part of the adjustment bill
reported by the Committee of Thirteen, or some
other bill of like character, has been made neces-
sary by the total failure of the Northern States
to fulfil their constitutional obligations to the
South on this subject.
9Th. That the proposition to settle the boun-
dairy between Texas and New Mexico is a pro-
position entirely for the consideration of Texas,
and with which we have nothing to do.
9th. That we cannot express too strongly our
disapprobation of all ultimate as dangerous to
the Union. That we hold ourselves ready now,
and at all times, to accept any adjustment Of the
present difficulties that shall be equitable and
fair to Southern rights, and honorable to South
ern feeling.
10th That whilst we love the Union, and will