The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-28

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER %, 1850.
Progress Of Aggression and suhmissjon
We ask the attention Of every man in the
South to the following statement On the 2ls,
Of December 1913, not two years since Mr.
Corr, of New York, introduced the folio wing
resolution:
2" Whereas, the traffic now prosecuted in this
metropolis of the republic, in human beings as
chattels, il contrary to natural justice and to the
fundamental principles Of our political SYSTEM
and is nOtorously reproach to our country
throughout christendom, and serious hindrance
10 the progress of republican liberty among the
nations OF the earth. Therefore,
Resolred, That the committee of the District
of Columbia he instructed to report bill, as
soon AS practicable, prohibiting the slave trade
in said District"
Dir. Corr moved the previous question, which
was sanctioned, and the resolution was adopted
by a vote Of yeas SO, to nays ST.
immediately upon the happening ofthis event
there was great excitement among the South
ern members of both Houses of Congress, and a
meeting was called of both, for consultation.
1t convened in the Senate chamber, and was at
tended by almost the entire Southern delegation
Of the two Houses. Governor METcALr then a
senator from Kentucky presided, and large com
mittee was raised to prepare resolutions for the
action of an adjourned meeting The chairman
Of this committee was the Hon. JOHN M. Clay
TON, then senator from Delaware, stree Secre-
tary of State under Gen. TAYLOR. During the
conferences Of this committee and before any
the Northern members determined to reconsider
the vote adopting said resolution. But even
though it was reconsidcred and rejected, yet such
was the apprehension produced in the minds Of
the Southern members, that a majority of them
thought it necessary to issue the famous South
ern Address.
Within few weeks this very act which was
threatened by GoTr's resolution, has been com
mitted, and that too in the form most alarming
to the South, viz awith the practical assertion
of the right Of Congress to emancpate slaves in
the District" That which when threatened not
two years ago, drove the whole Southern dele
XdllOu lnlO GCtlOfi, HOW uCcu
trated and if any Southern man shall now dare
to complain, he is stigmatized as disunionist
and traitor, and is required to stand mute, and
even to profess, to rejoice over tbs measure of
@peace, Cancellation, and non-intcrvention y If
he does not try to smile and shy he is happy on
account of this and its kindred measures, he will
be suspected of discomfort, and of purpose to
shake off the yoke Of domination.
On that occasion the Washington Union de-
nounced the measure as "another blow at the
Southland warned the North that the South
would not submit" The Baltimore Clipper
then also, denounced it, and said this District
Orleans Picayu,e said:
This is such direct meddng with the right
of property of the citizens of the District and
so bold step towards interference with the
rights of the States, that the South must neces-
sarily make issue on 1t. The aggressive spirit Of
Northern aboltionism should be met here, and The
Consequences Of a collision IN all their breadth
and depth staked upon ii"
I The New Orleans Courier also denounced it.
g Yet the thing has been done--and emery one Of
these papers is now not only for submission, but
rgoicing.' This will illustrate what faith is to
be reposed in the professions of submissionist
papers. Whatever they may now say Of fu-
ture aggressions, when such are made they
will rejoice
But we have quite different authority to
quote. When the news of this measure reached
Richmond, the Virginia Legislature passed by y
majority of / IL to l3 in the House and of 81 to
3 in the Senate, certain resolutions, Of which the
following is one:
"Resolred, That we regard the passage of a
law by the Congress of the United States abo-
fishing slavery on the slare trade in the District
of Columbia, as direct attack on The institutions
of the Southern States, TO be resisted at every
hazard" s
Now the law is passed. Will the Legisla-
ture of Virginia degrade itself to the level Of the
,Picayune, the Clipper and the Washington
Union?
The Union then said, that Virginia would
maintain her resolutions shy her acts!" And
the Richmond Enquirer then surpassed itself in
zeal in supporting Mis rery resolution and others.
H VI