The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-05-24
Meeting In Charleston.

We learn by the Charleston Mercury Of Tues
day last, that very large and enthusiastic meet
ing OF the citizens OF Charleston District, was held
at the Hiberuian Hall, on Monday evening Goth
instant, to express their opposition to the report
and propositions of the Committee OF Thirteen,
recently made in the Senate of the United States,
on the slavery question. Hon. Henry A. DeSaus-
sure was appointed President, assisted by forty
one Vice Presidents. Two Secretaries were ap-
pointed. On motion OF Hon. w. D. Porter, it was
resolved that committee of twenty-one be raised
to prepare resolutions for the consideration Of the
meeting, which being done, after short absence
the committee returned, and through their chair
man, Hon. VIM: D. Porter, reported the following
resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
l. Resolved, That the Constitution of the U.
States is the fundamental law by which the le.
gislatiOn of Congress is to be controlled, and by
which the extent Of the powers conferred by
the States is to be determined; and any mea.
sures of Congress which are not authorized by
its terms, whatever may be their aim, can afford
no benefit to the South, the assailcd and weaker
section of the Union, commensurate with the
evil they must produce in unsettling the foun-
dations on which its rights repose.
2. Resolved, That the various measures late
ly reported in the United States Senate, on the
subject of Slavery, purporting to be Compro.
mise, are in conflict with the Constitution in
several particulars; are destructive of the rights
and interests of the people Of the South, and
ought not to receive their sanction or support.
3. Resolved, That the adventures from all
parts of the world, now soiourning or living in
the Territory of California, do not constitute a
people in legal and constitutional language !;
aud the sanction by Congress Of their attempt
to appropriate to themselves region rightfully
belonging to the sovereign States of the Union,
and to create State therein, will constitute an
outrage on the Constitution, and practically en-
force the Wilmot Proviso in most odious and
insulting form. 49,
4. Resolved, That the boundaries of Texas,
settled with Mexico in the treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo, are as plainly determined and known
as those of any other State in the Union, and
Congress has no constitutional right to question
or change them; much less has it any right to
purchase portion of the territory of State
in order that the institutions of one section may
be promoted, and those of another section may
be excluded therefrom. The surrender" there
fore, of any portion of Texas, in concession to
such policy, will be a betrayal of the rights
and interests of the South.
s. Resolved, That it is the duty of the States
as well as of Congress, in obedience to the plain
mandate of the Constitution, to secure to the
Southern master the rendition of his fugitive
slave; nor would the enforcement of this mani.
fest duty by the whole power both of the Fede.
raj and State Governments, be anything more
than mere compliance with the obligations
which the Constitution strictly enjoins. When
therefore this duty on the part of Congress is
not only disregarded, but is used as pretext for
interfering with slavery in the States, and when,
as part of the compromise which we are call.
ed on to support, the Southern master is to be
arraigned by his own slave, in his own State,
before the judicial tribunals of the U. States, or
the State, our surprise is sunk in our indigna.