Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-06


rectons explanations Of them az may prevent their
being used perverted to such miscbievous purposes
y. That the act OF the 18th of September, 1880 COM
monty called the fugitive slave law, ought TO be so
amended as to make the fee Of the ccmmiss oner men,
toned in the Sh section Of the act equal In amount IN
the decided by him. whether his decision be in favor
OF or against the claimant Ard avoid misconsructon,
the last clause Of the 5h section of said act which
horzes the person holding for the arrest or
detention Of fugitive slave 70 TO his aid the
posse eotGtUS and which declares it to be the duty OF
all good citizens TO assist him in its execution ought to
be so amended as to expressly limit the authority and
duty 10 in which there shall be resistance or dan
ger of resistance or rescue.
That the laws for the suppression Of the African
slave trade and espec ally those prohibiting the mpora
ton Of slaves in the United States ought to be made ef
ectua aud ought 10 be thoroughly executed, and all
further eusements necessary those ends ought 10 be
promptly made.
The Conference consists Of delegates from the several
States appointed under the authority of the State Lc-
gislatures. These delegates do not directly from
the people, but they nearer to them than the pol
cal bodies which have up to this time had the manage
ment of affairs. This will be the border State olive
branch Offering to the Northern States. II it not met
with fraternal spirit of conciAon desire to the
country from the impending danger to which is
exposed then the Conference will be Of short duration,
and the border Slave States will sblndon all hope of
tement aud a, once follow the seeding States Grea,
responsibility therefore, rests upon this Conference and
earnest prayer that the responsibility may be felt
aud appreciated.
SOath Carolina has in plain terms declined the invita-
ton staring by resolution unanimously adopted by the
Legislature that they 30 deem it advisable to initiate
negotiations when they have desire nor intention to
promote the ultimate o. ect in vew that object being
,ctk,
'the procurement of amendments guarantees to
the constitution of the United States"
Michigan and Massachusetts, through their Lcgisla.
lures have positively refused send delegates to this
Conference.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1861.
The trains South and North this morning brought large
aceessiOns Of Commissioners 10 the Peace Congress,
which meets tomorrow, and to-day has been a busy
one among them in conierIi together and comparing
views. All to be impressed with the great iui-
por;auce e the work before them aud Of the alarming
povure OF puOlic affiirs at the present time.
Vi giua the originator and mover Of this scheme will
be allowed occupy prominent position in the Con
vtnton Oue of her Commissioners, probably Ex.Pre
sdeut Tyler will be named President At least that
IS tie present feeling amoug the members here. The
choice, however, may fail upon James Guthrie, of Ken
tucky.
lis aid they intend TO 81, with closed doors
l. l. becoming more manifest every hour that the Dor
Der slave States will take nothing less than the Cr.ten-
den gler proposition Neither the border States p.o-
position those introduced by Cowin and Adams will
satisfy these States; and unless the Republicans come
square uO to the wOrk-uo backing lhng-and indi-
cate the right spirit sui proper disposition TO bring about
amcable aud pe dy adjustment all will be lost. 1t
With the leaders OF this great party 10 decide be-
tween peace or war. The more moderate OF them un-
derstand aud fully comprehend the great and vital ques
tons issue, and would gladly come forward ard settle
the differences at and restore peace to distract
ed country. But they have thus far been restrained by
the bad 10 their party, aud the fear OF encounterng
the hostility of the ITt5,uis and kindred papers.
WASHINGTON Feb s. 1861.
As the hour approaches for the assembling the Peace
Conference the public mind the Of governments
becoming and more agitatei In prominent and
Influential circles the subject OF the Conference viewed
from different stand points. The out-apdOu republicans
who go for compromise following the dicta of the
Ijns regard the presence Of the Peace Commissioners
With undisguisyd disfsyor Tney openly denoUnce the
COufee mpuous interference with the polly
Of the ms in Congress and Of the incoming aduinis
iraton whltever that policy may be- Trey say that the
President elect capable Of restoring confidence aud that
his Of Cancellation should not be thwared by
the precipate and almost unauthorized action of few
States at the iustig stion of elavehOlding State.
u1 L. Giddiugs, who has just arrived, declares the
republicans have their heel upon the neck Of the
monster slavery and that they must keep it there.
The representa- Itives from Malice, Vermont New Hamp
shre Massachusetts Rhode Island Kansas the western
part OF New York, Thsd StepheJs and Grow Of Pennsy
yania the members from Ohio, Indiana Illinois, Aichi
gan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, far behind
Giidngs in their compromise determination but that
they command majority of their several delegations
doubtful Nevertheless they pO'erul enough to
defeat any compromise that may look to the
rtou Of the rights of the Souh in the Territories
without which any COMPROMISE wouli be idle and
ly iail 10 cOnciiite The South.
% the other hand, the compromise aud Uuion
hail the arrival OF these peace commissioners the hat
binger Of happy adjustment of our national difficulties.
They say tuat many good and true cannot
10 me national capital at this crisis aud all tn
minds Of the country should he aggregated and the
advice and cOunsels Of our best and most patriotic
statesmen be heard aud respects but fear voice i
loud enough patriotism deep and broad enough TO
spirit sefsacr6crg enough recall the seeding St'es
back 10 the fraerna folds Of the Uno- Let the ortS
Of those who would maintain the government and Union
be directed 10 saving the border States. This is the
earnest prayer Of those WHO know aud have solemn
appreciation of the fearful posture in which the country
is now placed.