Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-21
MR.. MADISON AND THE SOUTHERN
CONVENTION

CONVENTION.
We give place, in another part of our paper, to
an article from the National Intelligencer, in
which certain remarks of ours upon letter writ
by Mr., Madison in 1880, and the construction
placed upon that letter by the Inteligencer, are
taken by the respected Editors as their text. The
reader will perceive that we are understood as
having advanced the opinion, that Mr.. Madison, in
the letter referred to, condemned the doctrine of
notification By single State, but gave his sane
ton to the doctrine of notification By combina-
tiong' States. Assuming this to be our meaning,
the Editors of the lntelligencer proceed to argue
with all their usual ability, that the latter form of
notification is tortiori less defensibe than the
former. We shall not find it necessary to take
issue with them on this point, for the reason that
they have materially Inexperienced us, as we
shall presently explain.
All that we said on the matter in question was
in these words
We publish this morning, FEB 9Th, $780, an inte-
resting letter from Mr. Madison, cited by the National
lnegencer to prove that that great statesman did not
understand his celebrated report and resolutions of
1857 to proclaim doctrines such are now advanced
by the advocates OF Southern Convention. We copy
the letter because it possesses much historical interest
and undoubtedly has some bearing on the absorbing
topics Of the present day. but, confess, do
perceive that serves to sustain the lnegencers views
MI Madlson's explanation evidently designed to
show that the Legislature of Virginia in 1859 did not de-
clare principles which could be appealed authority
tor the doctrine OF nuttfcdtOn by single State that
s that one State may refuse to conform to law of the
General Government, and yet remain in the Union
what he says OF concert among the States deeming
themselves aggrleved seems to us to Justify very differ
ent construction from that of the National Integencer
He does not tell us how such concert is to be establish
ed &c.
Nov 1t was very far from our purpose, in using
this language to consrue Mr. Madison as dis
claiming the doctrine that single State may null
hty law OF the Union, and, at the same time, af-
t7m1lng that number of States leagued together
may nullify law of the Union. Our intention
was (and we cannot but think that we indicated i
with sufficient cearness) to express the opinion
that the bearing of Mr.. Madison's letter was IA
vourable, rather than repugnant to the plan of the
proposed Southern Convention at Nashville, and
that plan, as we conceive, does not, any manner
involve the doctrine of notification, either by sepa-
rate, by combined, States. 1t is proposed to be
merely consultative and advisory body, withou,
power to do more than recommend to the States
that shall be represented in it, the course which
they should adopt in certain apprehended contin-
gencies.
10 show that we have not Inexperienced the
intended character of the Southern Convention,
at least so far as the State of Virginia has given it
her sanction, (and to that extent alone does it meet
our approvai) weinsert here the fifth of the Joint
resolutions recently adopted by large majorities
IN both branches of the General Assembly. It
has escaped our attention. if the National Intelli.
gencer has ever given these resolutions place in
its columns.
V. Resolred, That, regarding the Convention nro
posed to be held at Nashville the first Monday in Inns
next intended to enable the people of the South t(
take counsel together to the best and most efecua
means OF resisting the aggresons OF the North of en-
forcing compliance on their part with their constu-
tonal oolisaons and thereby OF preserving the union
OF these States now imminent peril by reason of the
course pursued by the nonsaveodng States and their
representatives IN Congress in the cease less agitation
Gand that to- IN the most untriendy spr of questions
involving the peace, the Institutions and the very exist
ence OF the Southern Staesand approving the objects
OF SAID Convention as above set FORTH the General AS
semby doth recommend to the people OF this Com
monWealth to send delegates thereto and that to this
end, they hold primary meetings in each city, countv
and election district and appoint delegates to conyen
non to De held IN each Congressional District in the
month OF May next and that the district convention so
constituted do each select two persons Zone from each
OF the two political parties of the country who shall be
1T will be marked how distinctly the lanpuaoe
OF this resolution defines the objects of the Nash
Vile Convention, as understood by Virginia in
giving 1t her we'll considered approval. 1t is
"lntended, says the General Assembly, ssto enable
the people of the South to take counsel toeeter as
to the best and most effectual means of resisting
the aggressons of the North, of enforcipga com
pllance on their part with their constitutional ohi.
cations, and thereby Of preserving the Uaaion.n-
Audit is only in approval of ''the objects of the
said Convention as above SCI o1lh" that the peope
OF Virginia are recommended to send delegates to
it. The office of the Nashville Convention. as
exclusively a consultative body, is still more ey.
pllclty defined, by the resolutions which precede
the fifth, and which set forth very different and
tar more solemn process for those measures of
the last resort which the National Intepencer
apprehends will acknowledgements from the deli
berations at Nashville. The second. third and
fourth resolutions are in these words:
Il Resooed, That in the event oftbe passaoa Of tho
WHTnot frovlso or OF any law abolishing slavery in
Inc District OF Columbia, or in any manner interfering
wn me rights OF shareholders therein or aboIishnS
slavery or the slave trade between the States U;rs
wl De prepared to unite with her sister slayaho fd
III Convention OF otherwise, in the adoption Of
any measures that may be necessary to provide for Their
mutual Gelence OF to secure their mutual safety
III hesoleed That in the opinion Of this General
Assembly, southern Convention in which the States
as States are represented, should consist Of Ge
selected by the people OF the several States in Cnnyan
ton assembled who should carry with them ali the au
pared to act for those whom they represent anu Oe pre-
"; ReSetped, therefore, That, upon the happeoing
OF either OF the contingencies contemplated in he e
cond resolution the Governor be authorized and
ed INSTEAD OF converting the Legislature to issue hs
proclamation for the election of delegates to State
Convention, TO take INTO consideration the mode and
Convention, and to adopt such measures as the cr;
may demand The said delegates to be chosen by each
CITY or county or election district according to its re-
presentation IN the House OF Delegates and to receive
The same pay and mileage as members of The General
Assembly.
Hence, it will be seen, that when anv of those