The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-23


days Eraminsr Il will be seen that DR., Temp
kins, of Bedford, an incorrigible Wing, and a
supporter OF The "Compron,ise, characterized the
action proposed by Mr.. Boiling US "frebrand
thrown into our midst" Other members con .
demned it i'll timed and unadvised while not a
few rejected it as inlolerabIe at any time or sea-
son during the existence of Virginia as sover-
egn State. Why, then, was it urged by Mr.. Boil
ing and sustained by half Of the House MIR.
Boiling introduced it for Bunkum, and its fifty
eight supporters represented BuakuW on the oc-
casion. And here must be permitted to d.
gress for moment TO call the attention of the Vir-
ginia convention now in session, 10 the import
ance of restricting Bunkum TO a fair proportion in
the future representation Of the Stale. The West
appeals TO the East for 'justlce" in the distribu
ton OF political power; the East demands guar
anee' for her slave property at the hands OF It's
rival. The great question al issue in the conven-
ton is purely sectional one; the Blue Ridge be-
ing the dividing line between the two parties. But
it is no longer doubtful that there is third inter
est in Virginia far more potential than either Of
those; and the people of both sections should de-
mand guarantee for their rights and interests,
against the alarming increase in the representa-
ton Of Eastern and " estern Bunkum in the law
making body of the State
To return to the "Slavery Resolutions" Of the
house, Mr.. Speed, Of Lynchburg, in supporting
them, asked every member to put to himself the
question, do these resolutions contain the truth !!
The answer of''every member" who will properly
weigh their language and import, must be in the
negative. The preamble asserts that the questions
which threatened the peace OF the country ard the
very existence OF the Union, have been "happiIy
terminated" by the several acts known the
Compromise. One of the Southern States declares
that the "Compromise" in question, consisted of
acts Of aggression which fully justify its dete,mi-
nation to secede from the Union. Other States
are equally emphatic in the declaration of the
wrongs which the "Compromise" inaicts upon
them; and even the most AFFECT submlBsionist
within our own borders, is forced to acknowledge
the humiliating fact that the South is excluded
from the golden territories acquired party--we
might say chieay--by its own blood and treasure.
Yet MIR. Boiling declares in his preamble that all
matters in controversy have been happily adjusted
The preamble also declares that the happy nd
justment was effected without contravening the
position TO which Virginia stood pledged. We
thought Virginia took her position strong as
her word could make it, against the passage of the
Wilmot Proviso, the abolition Of slavery or the
slape trade in the District IF Columbia, Dor any
kindred measure The Wilmot Proviso which
she was pledged to resist was introduced by the
Freesoiers to prevent the extension of slavery to
any additional territory Of the Union. The adj
justment satisfactory, delightful to the nu-.
thor of the preamble and resolutions, excludes
slavery from every foot of the newly acquired
territory, including that portion of lying south
of the line Of the Missouri Compromise, the old
treaty of peace and amty, in which the South
made the first great concession of her rights. The
abolition of the slave trade in the District of Co.
umba, which Virginia stood pledged to resist, is
one of the several Compromise acts passed by the
present Congress. Yet Mr.. Boiling now calls on
Virginia to declare to the world that her former
position is not "contravened" by the passage Of
the measures to- which she pledgedher resistance.
The resolution Of 4" profound conlfmpt'' for ssthe
Ipaq la yUl pHa ,0rtu Mt no I'm
as Abotionists, +" would appear very well by it.
self, but il is not entirely consistent with the Sc
ries of which it forms part. The most patriotic
portion of the Northern representatives had no
personal objection to renewal of the Missouri
Comp omise, but the stand taken bya reckless
and lawless party at home, known as Abolition
lists, forced them, the Northern representatives
aforesaid, into position more unfavorable TO the
South. In a word, the fear of the Abolitonists
| and Free-soilers deferred them from acquiescing
in any adjustment more fair or honest than that
! proposed by the Compromise committee, of
| which Mr. Clay was chairman: and large num-
4 Der of the Southern representatives supported
that " the best they could get from the North -
Now if all question in dispute have been hap
| PLY terminated" by the Compromise acts, as Mr..
! Boiling asserts, he surely ought to draw up a
I resolution Of thanks to the Abotonsis, in lieu of
the one Of contempt which stands number three in
! his series.
|
| by Messis. Fiournoy Of Prince Edward, Cox of
Petersburg, Johnson Of Taylor, ana others. They
did not seem disposed TO minister to the author 5
passion for legislative no.oreiy by taking them
up out of order and discussing them for days. In
advocating their indefinite postponement, how
ever, MIR. Flournoy made known his own posi-
ton, which is identical with that occupied by Sen
ator Mason and the Virginia members of Con-
gress who co-operated with him in opposition to
| the Compromise. He opposed, bitterly OPP
posed to that measure because it was a surrender
| Of Southern rights to Northern aggression. He
is willing merely to tolerate it the law Of the
land. But under no circumstances will he, in any
manner, signify his approval Of it as an original
| proposition.
Ii is worthy of remark that Mr.. Boiling, with
all his attachment to the Union, is in favor of
breaking it to pieces in the event of the repeal of
law which is practically dead letter
The motion for the indefinite postponement Of
the resolutions was carried.
As speaker and politician, Mr.. Boiling bears
close resemblance to the "youth of expectation, -
who, according to 7acitus, studied mountebank
oratory in the " school Of impotence, at Rome
The speaker is much pleased with his own decla-
nation, but the subjects on which he is taught to
display his powers, tend TO no useful purpose
1.-THE subject is generally remote from truth, and
even probability, unlike any that have ever hap
pened in the world" Thus trained up in chime
rcal exercises, he can present nothing worthy of
the public ear, nothing useful TO the constituent
body. "The orator swells with confidence, his
eye threatens prodigious things, and his harangue
is an ostentatious display Of the common-places
Of school oratory Numbered forth with emphasis. :"
Thus I" he plays of the whole Of his theatrical
skill, and hopes TO elevate and surprise.
The acquaintance Of MIR Boiling can decide
how far the parallel holds good between the an
cient and the modern youth Of expectation. The
modern orator certainly initiates the ancient in Sc
Letting topics for discussion; for he rarely makes
judicious choice. On his first appearance in the
legislature, about twenty years ago, he made n
display OF his oratory in an attempt to prove that
Virginia ought to abolish the institution of slavery.
This was bad subject for Buckingham orator
to begin with, as the sequel proved. The people
of that county, thinking that his labors " tended
to no useful purpose discarded him from their
service, and never trusted him more. He for
feited their confidence by displaying his oratory
and bestowing his vote on wrong subject.
From his speech and resolutions on Saturday,
il is certain that he has profted but little by his
twenty years Punishment from the public coun-
ellis We will close the parallel by remarking
that the " expectation" of the ancient youth, was
the Senate; that Of the modern youth, the House
d.. ee~fu<