The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-08-27
THE SOUTHERN CONVENTION.

ceedings. The first day of the Convention
opened well. Prof De Bow made lengthy
and interesting address upon the objects of the
Convention, and the capabilities of the slave
holding States. We learn from his address the
following important facts:
growing preference is now manifested
ior Southern teachers over Northern ones, and,
In notable instance, it was found to be i'm
practicable to retain at the head of great in
stitution of learning, in one of our States, a
gentleman whose virtues were not to be ques-
toned, but whose nativity was beyond Mason
and Dixon's line. Southern school books are
being prepared, and printed, and used, and
Southern literature begins at last to receive a
portion OF encouragement. Our citizens are
embeilishlng their sea coasts aud interior re-
treats; and fashion, beauty, and opulence, are
hnding at them all that was sighed for, and not
enjoyed, at the Newports and Saratogas."
On the second day of the Convention, res
olution was offered, which practically excluded
Northern reporters from the sessions of the
Convention.
MIR. Pryor, of the South, said " he was will
ing to consider the fact that newspaper was
published in the South was prima .facie evil
dence that its editor and reporter were friendly
to the leading objects of this Convention. But
it was unfortunately the fact, that editors and
reporters of the North were to be considered as
unfriendly to the South, and therefore he was
for having each individual stand on his own
merits. If any member desired to have a Black
Republican editor attend their meetings, let
him take the responsibility of proposing him."
Mr.. McRae was more liberal. He said:
The cause of the South was righteous one,
and bound to triumph. He was as strong a
Southern man as any one could be; but if
Greeley himself should come here, he would be
willing to allow him seat here, from which
he could send forth as abusive editorials as he
pleased"
Mr.. Cooke, of Tennessee, endorsed the SEN
timents of the gentleman from Mississippi He
was confident that nothing would be said or
done in this Convention which they need be
ashamed to hear reported in any of the North.
ern or Southern papers. He was willing to
admit all the members of the press, from Par
son Brownlow down to Greeley.
This called Parson Brownlow to the platform.
He was in favor of admitting any and all
reporters. If his Satanic Majesty were to send
| a reporter from the internal regions, with red
and infamed eyes, and scorched whiskers, and
with the odor of birthstone about him, let him
be admitted. We of the South fight against
principaities and powers, and the wicked spir.
its in the high places of this world, with the
flesh and the devil. Renewed laughter and
| applause. We can outspeak them, and out
write them, and, if necessary, we can outwhip
| them. He was for fighting them in the Union,
of pt Of no mir He 60 lolJ
to the purse-strings of the Government, the
navy and the standing army; and when the
time comes for the South to unite as one man,
he would know no division, no Wing, no Dem.
| ocrat no Know Nothing. And when driven to
the wall, he was for uniting together against
their adversaries, and giving them the ID,
and rubbing it in. Continued laughter and
applause. y
The Convention finally agreed to allow
Northern reporters and editors standing place
in the hall of the Convention.
In the afternoon, Mr.. Roger A. Pryor, of
Virginia, introduced the following resolution;
| Resolred, That it be recommended to the
Legislatures of all the slaveholding States to
svesP tn frH~ Liability l for debt or
the passage of such act"
Mr.. T. Fl. Campbell, of Virginia, favored the
resolution of his colleague. He desired to see
Slavery more generally disseminated. He
wished to interest in Slavery larger portion
OF the population of the South-to see more
homogeneousness of interest on the part of the
Southern people in this man-cursed and God.
blessed institution. 1t would make it more Sc
cure, and would prevent the increase of an
Anti.Slavery element in the South. Such a
law would elevate the lower class of population.
1t would afford bonus to the poor man to in
vest his limited means in slave property, and
this would increase the number of shareholders.
and would of course strengthen the title in
slave property.
| Resolutions were passed by the Convention.
recommending direct trade with other coun.
tries. MIR. Fiournoy offered set of resolutions
endorsing Mr.. Mann's steamship scheme but
the Secretary could not read them, and the
Chairman suggested that they be written SO
that they could be read. Mr.. Flournoy then
tried them himself, while the audience laughed.
Mr.. F. declared that he was not to be made a
laughing stock Of and members disclaimed
such purpose
Mr.. Pryor offered resolution in favor of the
repeal by the General Government of the laws
allowing bounties to the fishermen on the North.
eastern shores, such laws being unjust to the
South, and requesting Southern Representa-.
tives and Senators to use their influence to
abolish the same.
The third days proceedings were opened by
personal explanation.
"Mr. Yancey, Of Ga, rose to personal ex-
PLANTATION, correcting report of his speech of
yesterday, which appeared in the Knoxville
Wing and Register of to-day. He denied that
he said lovely John Wentworth He neither
deemed him lovely in sentiment or person. He
said long John Wentworth
Mr.. Wentworth will doubtless be relieved BY
this explanation, if he saw the Wigs report
of the second days proceedings.
Mr.. Bryan, of South Carolina, made an able
speech in favor of abrogating the treaty requi.
| ring the presence of an American squadron on
the coast of Africa.
"Mr. Glatney, of Mississippi, introduced reso.
lutions as a substitute for those of Mr.. Bryan,
of South Carolina reported back by the com.
mittee, declaring Slavery to be neither social
| or political evil; that the slave trade, being a
| transfer from one master to another, is not
wrong, and therefore not proper subject for
| prohibition the South should not be taxed to
| support the naval police for the suppression of
the African slave trade, recognising the institu,
| tions of the South as the best form of Govern.
| ment conducive to the African, and is the safest
for the preservation of our Republican Govern.
ment declaring that the Southern States pos