Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-12-01
Slavery In isac District Of C0-us;,-
lia

In reply to charge often made, that
Mr. Summers in 1886 voted against res
oluiion denying to Congress the power to
abolish slavery in the District Of Column
bia. Mr.. :. said the o,hcrnig htthat he gave
that vote because the resolution denied TO
Congress the power to abolish slavery III
the District, no matter what circumstan-
ces might occur Thus he said, accor-
ding to that resolution, if the States Of
Virginia and Maryland should rid them
selves Of slavery, and the people in the
District should unanimously desire its alb
clifton there, Congress could not pass a
law for its extinction. Under ordinary
circumstances, Mr.. Summers said, he
would regard the abolition of slavery, by
Congress in the District as such a breach
of faith towards Virginia and Maryland
os would warrant those States in resort
ing to extreme measures of resistance
This is, as nearly as we can remember,
what Mr.. Summers did say, and we leave
his assailants TO make the most of it. But
wo pray to know what did this same CON
sistent Democratic party do in the year
lS36s They elevated Martin Van But
rem to the Presidency ofthe United States,
and that too, in spi,e OF bis Shocco Springs
letterin which he concedcdto Congressihe
Constitutional power to abolish Slavery in
the District of Columbia.-PetersJmg Int.
The Meeting or Congress.
The first session of the thirty-second
Congress commences on Monday next
The members are fast gathering into WASH
inston, and there is no fear that there will
not be a majority of both houses present at
the opening. The Democrats have a ma
jority in each house, and will accordingly,
sf they agree among themselves, have the
election of the officers in their own hands.
There is much contention, however, among
them for the Speaker of the House, but it
is understood that a caucus will be held
to settle the conflicting claims Of the aspi-
rants
Ii the two houses are organized on Mon
day. by the election of the presiding Off
GERS. the usual committees will then be ap-
pointed to wait on the President to notify
him of the meeting and organization, and
his message will be sent in on Tuesday.
Last year the message was despatched
IN advance gifts delivery, to the principal
cities, to the care ofthc several postmasters
who on being advised by telegraph that the
President had sent ii to Congress, were au
ihorized to furnish copies to the papers
published in their respective cities. 1t is
understood that similar arrangement will
be made this year, so that the message may
be published simultaneously in all the prin-
cipal cities Of the Union. on the day it is
sent to Congress.
There are several questions of national
importance. which " i'll be embraced in the
massage. and these, with the matters that
relate to our own internal affairs and con-
Germ the individual and commercial inter-
ests Of the country, give to the message
even usual attraction. 1t is something, in
looking at these matters. TO know that we
have good and true men at the head ofthe
government, and this gives us confidence
that what they will say. and what they
win recommend. will be all right and prop
or r4ta