The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-04

lhls BODY assemuieu AZ (OlumpIa on blOu-
day at II m., at the capitol. We take from the
South Caroiinian the subjoined synopsis Of what
occurred on the first day;
! On motion of Mr.. T.. Bellinger, jr,. the Hon.
ID. l.. Wardlaw was called to the chair, and r.
J. Davant, esq, appointed secretary. The men,
bers present then proceeded to enrol their names,
and a committee was appointed to verify the
credentials of the members present. Mr.. Bel.
Iinger, from said committee, reported that there
were delegates from all the districts present,
except ST. Georges Dorchester, and that one
hundred and forty-seven members had enrolled
their names
On motion Of Dir. +. Bellinger, jr the conven-
tion proceeded to ballot for PRESIDENT and, the
votes being counted, his exceency, Gov J. II.
Means, was found to have received 1856 votes,
scattering 2.
On motion of Mr.. J, Bond Ion, committee
Of three, consisting of Messrs John Cantey, w.
II. DeSaussure, and w. A. Owens, was appoint
ed 10 escort the president elect to his seat. The
committee returned with the president, and the
convention received him standing. The presi.
dent, on taking his seat, addressed the conven-
ton rs follows:
aGenilemen Of The Convention Although
am fully aware that am indebted more to my
official station than to any merit Of my own for
the distinguished honor you have conferred
upon me, yet must be permitted to express
my profound gratitude to you for having hon
ored that station in my person. Unaccustoued
ms am to parliamentary usages, should be
disposed to shrink from the position You have
assigned me, but that | feel assured that will
be sustained and assisted in the discharge Of its
duties by the same kindness which has prompt
\ cd you to bestow it upon me. While | am
fully alive to its responsibilities, trust feel
still deeper the solemn responsibility which
rests upon me as member of this convention.
1 We have met together clothed in the sovereign
power Of the land. The voice of this conven-
lion, when il speaks, must be potential for good
or for evil How much prudence, how much
caution and deliberation does it bece me us to
use before we act ? 1t is useless for me to enter
into detail of the peculiar circumstances under
which we have met; mere alluson to them is
sufficient to bring to your minds the fact that
| they are full of embarrassment. We certainly
have most delicate part to act; one which we
/ can not perform with credit TO ourselves, or
/ with honor to the State, unless we are buoyed
| by devoted patriotism above the petty censid.
erations OF party strife, or personal ambition, or
which is even worse and more to be deprecated,
vindictive feelings to each other because we
differ in opinion. The external circumstances
by which we are surrounded fearfully admonish
us that we have no strength to waste in internal
| feuds. The very dangers of our position call
loudly upon us to be united But unfortunate
| ly for us and the great cause of the South, we
are not united. We have been divided and dis
tracted by the convulsye throes Of party strife.
The great question of our wrongs has been for
gotten amid our wranglings as TO the remedy.
While this state of things exist among US, the
fiendish fanaticism of an abolition spirit, which
tramples all law, both human and divine, under
foot, is steadily moving forward towards the ac-
complishment Of its ends. If we intend not
basey TO desert the cause in which we have so
long engaged, and finally submit to our degra-
dation and ruin, this tide of fanaticism must be
sooner or later met. As dark as are the dangers
which surround us, still more gloomy are those
which threaten US from our internal commo-
tons. IL we are united, we need fear no
danger. The justice of our cause, and our
strong arms will be sufficient to protect US. But
| il, in the madness Of party strife, we fall upon
each other, and forget the common enemy, an
easy victory will be accomplished by them; a
victory which will bring ruin and disgrace upon
US The very first object of this convention
should be to heal these divisions, will not pre-.
for you to pursue to accomplish this great OBJ.
ject, and to maintain the honor and dignity Of
our beloved State. This must be matter OF
consultation and deliberation. The intelligence
the patriotism, the dignity of this body is in
earnest that that course will be one which will
involve no sacrifice Of principle; one, the object
OF which will be 10 promote the best interests
Of our State. We meet together as members
OF one common family, whose interests, honor
and destiny are the same. A deep devotion 10
our country and its institutions should be the
| polar star 10 guide us in our course The arm
of our State, which was recently strong and
ready TO strike, has been paralized alone by our
discussions Let US heal them at once, that
with firm and united strength we may meet the
enemies OF our institutions. Upon The union OF
our State, soiemnly believe, depends our des.
Tiny"
Mr.. DeSaussure submitted that upon m oc.
casion which so deeply concerned the honor and
interest Of the State, il was fit that The proceed.
ings of the convention should be opened by an
humble supplcation TO the throne Of Divine
Grace TO enlighten our counsels and direct our
course. Wherefore, he moved that the Rev.
Mr. Colt, member and delegate from Chester
field, be requested, on behalf Of this convention,
to address The throne Of Divine Grace.
Mr.. Colt having officiated, on motion of Mr..
E. Bellinger Jr, il was ordered that the conven-
ton on each day be opened by prayer. On mo.
ton OF the same gentleman the convention pro-
ceeded 70 ballot for clerk, messenger and door.
keeper, J. A. Strobbart. esq, was elected clerk,
b. ]. Hayes, messenger, b. O'Nel, doorkeeper.
On motion Of Mr.. Burt, committee of five,
consisting Of Messrs Burt, Nance, H. G. Young,
Buchanan, and IIarlee was appointed 10 con
tract for the printing Of the proceedings Of the
convention. Several orders in relation 10 the
hour Of meeting, printing, &c, we're adopted.
Mr.. Jamison, delegate from Orange, arose,
and, in a feeling manner announced the death
Of his colleague, Capt G. Rowe. On bis mo.
ton the customary resolutions wereadopted.
The president then read letter from the
Hon. @. w. Dargan, resigning his seat as
member OF the convention Which, on motion of
Hon. w. b. Seabrook, was laid on the table for
the present.
r.