COMMIT i04Tt0IY
KnR f mk Haiku;.. Times.
Mn. Kurrru: : I d-sire, w.th yonr ;H.r urHv; a.a,er wileWthcr r prcseniutivo,
lo ell me ih".H.m of -jour reau.r, to a le,v plain , :!ie" l g!-UtHr; and another will appoint
tniiir.,,, .. .s,ru to l(v(.SoJ subrcl which has so !, ,,n b nml eccliou, ami probably .no, her
.U ..r!,;j .h, mi.nL of eome of the Fople of our : w,; , ,e by men appoilltcJ by ,,, Exec
t""'u "f ,hB vnr""is ut"er Soutl'11" "f, tiveof the State. Who will he prepared to trust
L-.i Confederacy. I do not tool any diositioa !.. f. ,(M tQ u(,h a heter0yencolls m:ls8 R8 tl)is?
enter the are..,. .f cH.lfmvT.-x on Hi mutter, b t Wh(lfe wi be filirjlN8 ,he justice, the cqouli
l,nnotalMgHlr(:,ndtlmltl,ofr,,llp,,.pl),,f; y Hl,cl ft rppre8ellt.llioll? And we are to in
onr Slate should rus;. heedl. ssly ' f . .,uirefurther,'wUt matter. are to be discussed in
. conduc t which may ever afterwards he thrown up Wy ? Afe (hl?y w agsemble to piot ,:,
"' as digr.,cv, without a w..r,,'.ng.voice being . Union , Wi ,h,y adopt meas..res which will
raised lo caution the to shun Una rock on winch f wiJen le brea(.h tml h;(8 made Le.
Ihey will urYly sp.it.
: Ut os e. quire briefly,.' then, what Is It that is
(iffjred to nurconsldc ration as the great measure
which we are to adopt, and the policy we are urged
to maintain, in order to defend rights guarantied to
ns by the fundamental compact between the mem-
lrs of tl.is Union? We are called upon to send I
rielegatPH to a great Southern Convention, to be
held in Nashville in the month of June next, to be ;
omp,..lor representatives from the variousijtes
tlie bout!., to propose suet, measures, uiuwpi
such means as shall satisfy the Norihern Slates
that w intend to standby our peculiar in.-trtution, ,
mid ilcf-ml them to the last extremity. We think
we have stated the question at issue fairly; and j
I.ow, a expressive ol our o.vn view, we i-n 10 i
make a few inquiiies. Who has the power to ap
point the the delegates to this Convention ? Have
any of the States, through their 1 gislaturs, or
. -tliMugli tiieir Executives, brought this matter di
rectly before the g'eat mass of the people, and en
deavored to learn the popular will in regard t it ?
f,as ought to bo the casein all representative gov
ernments, Hie will of the people is to be coe.sr heJ,
should not fi matter be brought before them in
ome tangible shape, tvnd bediscu-sial freely, fair
ly and fiilly? If a few leading men of any party,
by the weight of their character, (ir by their per-
Brtnal inlluence, are to hav the guidance of this
, whole business, without a nvjdirect reference to the
popular will, can we expect or even believe that;
the groat mass of the intelligent constituency of
these States will acquiesce iu the netion of a body
b constituted and directed.ortlnit tin y w ill be pre
pared t'i defend the positions they assume.' In oilr
State, there is no way in whie.ii we can arrive at
)he popular mind on this subject anterior to the
Meeting of that Convention; and tin; question again
.rises, how shall we be represented in tlut body ?
Shall some busy partisans call a meeting nf the
faithful few in ft small number of the districts in
ac!i county, and a few counties of pach Congres
.iotml District, and tbu cons'itute a small Con-
' ventjon for probably only a part of the districts in
the Slah, hrd fhese inesponsihle few take it upftn
themselves to appoint Itcpreaentativesof the whole
State? Is any it.telligent and patriotic son of the
State willing to entrust the discussion of his rights
snJ tin1 determination of the course be may be com
pelled to pursue, to nen appointed in this way, and
acting under no responsibility?. Will the free
men of North Carolina submit to this ? But it w ill
be said that the Convention will meet, and North
Carolina will not be representwd, miles, we adopt
'tlit plan; very good who would not prefer that
North Carolina .honk! preserve this Union, and by
, (i,, vBi temperate course, secure to ns all the
tights which are guaranteed to nsjby the Constitu
tion, than to contribute to fan the flames of. furt-
ticisrn which will, tt) the end, destroy the fairest
. fabric erer erpctod by the hands of men? Are we
to have no opportunity of carrying out the wishes
nf onf peoptel, Sjiall those, who prolcssedly cry
dMut'iou hurry ns on toa. participation in acts
wltich will ruin onr social sikI political happiness
forcer? 1 Is there no other moans to avert the cal
amity which threatens ns, and which rjjay precip
itate us into ft strugrgle'whlcl'-SvtH inevitably des
troy the hopes of millions who are now looking
with rcat anxiety upon the operation of our gov
. ernmeiit? !''.' t.-;' '.":'''.:.'"
' But, we wonid inquirts .re we to be Imund by
the action of ibis Cpi'venl'01'. or are we not J
If we are not, where exists the necessity of hold
ing this Convention? What good will result from
the meeting of such a body? , If they meet there
merely for discussing the questions which shall call
them together, and only to furnish materials for the
agitators North and South, what practical good is
to result from it What rights will be enforced?
What wtnnas will be remedied What point will
he gained ? Bat, say' tire friends of the Conven-
tien.we wish (oshnwihe Northern people that we
re' united; that our partisan feelings are .11 iw!
lowed up in this on great subject ; and lima their
aggressions will cease, and they wil see that they 1
are treading on dangerous ground. And has it
come tp'this f Are we to admit to the North that
wliatw? have said and dyne heretofore is all brag
ml bluster, full only ef "sound and fury"? Is any
Southern man prepared to admit that we are not
nnitodt Will any one say that we stand iu need
of any such . grand CORsnitation to satisfy our
selves and onr aggressors that we are prepared for
Auy emergency? his all a mistake. Neverwas
ll-re greater .na'tiimity among any people on the
real questioa at issue; never, were a people more
fifudy resolved to mafntaio their position, and se
eare te-themselves'eqnal rights nuder the Constitu
tion, than the whole Southern people. What State
, ii there that has nol spoken nut in tones not to be
TiiHnderitnod, aod declared her unalterable resolve
Irraalutaiii Vr rights' at all hazards? ; One can
w.iL le poia'ed to. ; What necessity then, I. there
for this agitation ? Do we 'ish 1o make more
faltatics at ttie North ? Ait we' anxious to keep
np tliis game of recrimination and abuse t Shall
this question never be settled fairly without disnrt
j,,n The voice' of the is d moderate men
inTa3lpnrtiesatlheSouthdeelaresitsh.il.
"it is sjid.aeaitt,tbal llie action of this Convert
fion is to brthenc.lionyf.tlit Sontliern people ; tlmt
thqir dcliberations' are to evolve., plan to which
She ubsja Southern pt-jple must and will conform
llV.tLis.isiolieifhe-Bnderstandin? before the meet-
inW of that rKftht questicw again recurs, how to
' f 1 Jit'biiy IP be consiituted' ? .Vllnw ean the will of
0.wll.feOple l 'tejsrosttrirur ,, w"" wl11
(lie. members til this (Viarvemiatbeirespensilde fur
their ions 1 and'ljeill JlMtroct lbvste
h cowse they trt pwm J(J3'n
w a n if. .,f.'?:,wj.0? fovfii
fbttJL? y h
iMwr wtl! W rrtuvsi'iitei! by tmui appointed by
irMjrutiui'i'tt ..ii'.... tun in r,fT'rmit Actions ol
dy
tween the two sections of this Union ? Let us be
ware then, let us be cautious how we meddle with
this matter, or we may disgrace ourselves and the
cause we advocate. We dipnot favor aiy assem
blage of men whatever, who meet for the purges
i of disunion. Wo love the Union and intend to
by j( aa ong a9 we cal) do so consistently-fe
!iL ' I... t' .1- ...,. ....... t,. hn hi .-mi, .tF.
stoflJ. wfl e not jn of 8ublIlUliglo , pa.
violation of our rights or a wanton infrac-
ionof th Constitution. ; When all constitutional
measures for redress shall fail lis, we are ready to
toke p arms for 0r rights and defend them to the
pxtr(.mitv BlU e are not willing to favor
a Conv;nUo)( caej iu tie manner in which.
. . conslilMt, in tl,e way in which it will
be. We have excitement enough, intriguing and
wire-working enough without this piled on to the
agony. We wish tosee some discretion exercised
by eur people, and we are not willing to put it into
the hands of demsgogues to commit us in fvorof
anything which our judgment cannot approve, or
; our reason dictate.
Besides all this, is it placing such confidence as
we oiu'ht in the wisdom and sound discretion of our
President ? Is it giving him that support which he
so much needs in this trying crisis ? Are we wil-
lingto believe that he will not see justice done to
in in the settlement of all those questions which
involve our rights and our interests ? Until he
proves by his actions thjithe will permit the North
to wantonly encroach on our rights, ought we to do
anything which may tend to weaken the moral
force of that power which he may feel himself call
ed upon to exercise ? lie has sworn to ."maintain
the Union in its integrity," at all hazards, and we
do most fully believe that he will exercise all the
"power conferred on him by the Constitution, to
secure our rights to us, and to settle this, the only
question, which can jeopardize our united existence
as a nation.
Let us then pause before we take this rash step:
let us feel our rights safe in the hands of our rep
resentatives, and, if we find that there is no hope
that we may have justice meted out to U9,then we
may be prepared to assert our rights, and dare to
maintain them, even if it involves the dissolution
of this Union and the erection of a seperate Con
federacy, so formed as to suit our views, aad calcu
lated to secure to us all our rights and privileges.
We have thus hastily and imperfectly thrown to
gether a few pertinent queries which have sugges
ted themselves to our mind, and we hope that their
bare suggestion may cause some one more compe
tent than ourselves to ib!" up "t-j'Cl and give
it that searching investigation which its impor
tance demands. UNION.
LETTER. OF EX-GOVERNOR TROUP.
The following letter we lay before our readers,
among (he news of the day. It is (rom a very old
man, but one who has held distinguished stations,
and whose word has baen entitled to respect.
Whether this letter will do the South any good, re
mains to be seen. We trust rather to moderate
counsels: , ' '! ' . V :
Valdosta, Laurens Co. (Ga.) Sept. 15, '40.
My Dear Sir : It is worse than use
less to conceal anything from ourselves it is far
better to lay bare the naked truths, and in good
time. Are we lo surrender because the civilized
world, and it maybe, more than one-half of our
own countrymen, are against us? This is the
only question worth considering and I begin by
answering no, by no means. If you are divided
you can do nothing perfect unanimity is not to
be hoped for, but an approach to it might be reali
zed, what then ? I say a perfect preparedness for
the last resort, by the establishment in every
State, without delay, of Military School, Founda
ries, Armories, Arsenals, Manufactories "f Pow
der, 4.C Have you nots"en that onr adversaries
are constantly growing stronger, and ourselves
comparatively weaker, in all the elements of pow
er population, woalth, education, military resour
ces of all kinds; and these sustained by a Govern
ment strong in its military and naval power all
ready fur combat at any time, and at any place,
and already the terror of the world. Have yon
not remarked also, that, in tho very proportion our
weakness was disclosed, in the same proportion
our adversaries advanced, until h assault, as to
our teeth and at our fireside? I say then, ceasing
alUil aster and bravado, prepare to meet them on
that laW field, in which, if you be well prepared,
they will receive harder blows than any can give,
and they know it. General Lafayette would not
have been deterred by (he fear of death from car
rying into practice his anti-slavery notions, but
most men will ; and it is only the dread of death,
that in the United State will stay the hand or
stop the machinations of the fanatic. That dread
yon must present to him in a visible palpable form.
They know you have courage, but where is the
flying artillery, the most formidable arm in modem
warfare ; where the munitions, the arms, the dis
cipline ; nd where the science, to serve them in
die field f If united and ready for the last recourse,
the Union might yet ba saved by the very know'
ledge of our adversary, thai lo a bloody field
more bloody than that of Ghengls or Tamerlane
might be added the loss of the Union, .nil the loss
of the verv object titer seek to. accomplish. Vic
tory is no always to the strong, snd Alexander con
quered the world with little more than llnrty lliou
sand men. . , To be sure, if the Abolitionists seek
disunion, they may have disunion by peaceful
aeana ; nothing wonid be more easy, because we
want no better Constitution for onr government
dian ifrat which governs the Abolitionist, and onr.
delves); ibnttif the Union is to be dissolved by force
t I ...:-!. i;.ri , - -
that is to say, if the Abolitionisms Tesolve to force
emancipation, or to force dishonoron the Southern
Slate's by any act of Cviigrosii, tiien it is my deci
ded o, inion.tha with the military preparation hero
indicted, conjoined lo a good volunteer Instead of
a militia system, the Slate should march upon
Washington and dissolve the Government; and
just as soon as such overt act of treason ahull have
been committed by Congress.
We have always been in the right are still in
the right, and 1 advise you to keep so. They are
the active agents of mischief and persecution.
We the passive subjects. There are good men
on the other side of Maoon and Dixon's line,
and they might incline to the side ol an inuoce nt
and injured people. Even their neutrality might
be useful to us : so with the Army and Navy, the
justice of the cause might divide them. I assure
you, my dear sir, few men would be more averse
from this latter alternative than myself, but I have
never thought of any cure for our evil short of it:
and if you cannot unitedly make up your ininJs
it 0r something better, the talk about it only
makes the matter worse. In this familiar and in
formal scribbling manner 1 write to yon, because 1
believe yon would like it best. As long as we
maintain braggadocin, style the Northern people
will lauh at us, and I do not earn to be laughed
at, and despoiled of what we know to be our own
at the same time. Il the Abolitinnisfsdo not wish
disunion, they would keep ns in the Union by the
argument of Gen. Jackson ; Once in the Union, al
ways in the Union, is Federal argument, but per
haps not as strong as Gen. Jackson's. I would
like to be always well prepared to resist these ar
guments, whether offered in the form of paper or
iron bullets. When the adversury becomes strong
enough to alter the Constitution and abolish slave
ry, what are you to do ? You ir.ust submit, or
withdraw or resist; but withdrawal or resistance
would be vain without adequate preparedness.
Without fatiguing you, I dismiss the heart ren
ding subject with my best wishes for your health
and happiness. : G. M. TilOlT. '
FUGITIVE SLAVES.
The 2d section of the 4th Article of the Con
stitution of :he United States provides, that "no
person held to service or labor in one State, under ,
the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall in
consequence of any law or regulation therein , be
discharged from such service or labor, but shall be
delivered up on claim of the party to whom such
service or labor may be due."
Judge Baldwin, of the Supreme Court of the U.
S., a Northern Judge, in a decision a (firming the
rights of slaveholders under this provision, declar
ed that it was the corner stone of the Union with
out which the Union would never have been for
med. ''..
An act of Concress was passed Feb'y 12th, 17
93, to carry into effect this article of the constitu
tion. But the act and article are now utterly dis
regarded. In onr opinion, the open violation of this supreme
law of the land, by Northern people, and Legisla
tures, and Courts, is the greatest wrong perpetra
ted by the North against the South. . And unless
it be remedied.and this wrong redressed, (of which
WO confess we sen no I o;e,) the irritation will
inevitably lead to violence between the two sections.
The Southern people cannot and will not stand
this robbery, perpetrated by the whole North, peo
ple and authorities. No Southern man is assisted,
nay, no Southern man is allowed, but at the peril
of his life, to assert his constitutional right, and
reclaim his property.
The Governor of Maryland, (a State which suf
fers immensely in this way.) has sent ft special
message lo the Legislature on the subject, calling
its attention to a casein which John Lee, Esq., nf
Frederick county, in that State, had arrested his
negro in the city of New York, and a Judge of the
Supreme Court of that Sta'.e discharged him, not
withstanding he confessed that he was Mr. Lee's
property, and all other proof was presented, except,
forsooth, a copy, in Kriiins, under the seal of the
Governor of Maryland, of the laws showing that
slavery was tolerated iu that State! Mr. Lee ten
dered oral testimony, and the printed law. of the
State, such as arc read in the courts nf Maryland ;
but it all would not do. His negro was taken
from him. :-'.
Another case p-esented by the Governor in his
Messaga, is that of a man named Little, of Wash
ington county, Md., who is now in the jail of
Huntingdon county, Pen., awaiting his trial on a
charge of kidnapping a negro, the kidnapping con
sisting is his attempted capture of a fugitive slave
The slave was set at liberty, and Little clapped iu
jail , heavily ironed, and treated as a felon.
The Legislature of Maryland forthwith adopted
.resolution to refund to Mr. Lee his expenses.and
directing the Attorney Genera) of Maryland to
carry the matter to the Supreme Court of the Uui-1
ted State., at the expense of the" State. And an-
other resolution directing the Governor to employ
counsel to defend Utile, who is a poor man.
In this same enmity of Huntingdon, a citizen of
Maryland was killeJ a year ago in . popular Iu.
mult occasioned by .it attempt to arrest a fugitive
slave; audthe man who killed him was acquitted.
Fay. Oh.
. ; ' - '
Cut Boxq? Several of the newspspers are
strongly advocating (lie appointment of delegates
from this State to the Southern Convention at
Nashville in June next
What i. the object of that Convention, and what
effect is it expected to have npon the country ?
Its purpose ts so ill-defined tlut every one appears
at liberty to explain according to bis own wish or
fancy. - - ' '-
The Wilmington Aurora comes out flatly in fa
vor of said Convention methodising a. plan to dis
solve lbs Union, and want, a Southern Coufedercy
set up.
The Raleigh Star insist, upon it as the wisest,
safest and best measure that the South could adopt
for the maintenance of their rights and the preser
vation nf the Union.,
' The Aurora nd the Star .re here the represen
tatives of two distinct classes, uniting in tiieir ad
vocacy of the Convention, yet hopfog and expect
ing lo accomplish very different purpose, by iti
means It is but iiatural ttiat the honest and In
quiring citiien should like (o have lume satisfac-
tory in forma i ion as lo which of these influences is
liiely tJ preponderate', bo lore he gives his sanc
tion to" the measure. "" '
If dissolution is not aimed at, we do not clear
ly see the necessity for the Convention. It could
effect no more perfect unanimity of sentiment than
exists at present, and could not express Southern
sentiment more strongly than it lias already been
done by the Legislatures of most of the Southern
States.
If dissolution is the object ,4 :ne Convention, we
submit that the State o' North Carolina will hard
ly be committed to the project by a set of irrespon
sible delegates. They must be clothed with more
authority and go under more solemn sanctions than
can be conferred by the usual hasty process of
court-house JPhd crcss-roads meetings.
We entertain no doubt of the good faith and can
dor of those of onr colemporaries of the press, in
the State, who recommend the Convention that it
is according to the best dictates of their judgment
for the public good. But for ourselves, Ave are not
prepared lo lake the inili.tive in
slop the coi
sequences of which we ennnot aa yet ut all fore
see. (irtcnslmrn I'titriut.
.'...'From the Plymouth News.
-, Windsor N.C.'Jah, 13th 1850.
. Mr. Kditob : Our Village has just gone through
with-tho most delightful litilt) affair, that has been
gotton up among us in a long time. The second
lady who has ever been born and raised in our
town, within the memory of the oldest inhabitant,
tva. married last Wednesday evening 1 allude
to Miss Mary E. Outlaw, who was married to Mr.
Win. Hill ol Wilmington N. IV She was one of
the iiiost admired in ur section, very uiuch beloved
by her friends ; and boasting a very extensive and
respectable family connexion.
The marriage took place at our worthy Towns
man's, Lewis Bond, E-ii ,than whom, more court
ly and urbane gentleman never done honurg to a
house. . ' . . j
. At flr. iparly hour in the day, our Town was
throwu into commotion hy the Continued ar.lval of
train after train of the most splendid equipages, j
which coiiliniK-d until nearly night. If we were
impressed with this, what was our astonishment '
upon entering the reception rooms of our worthy
host and hostess, to tin I assembled fifty or sixty of
the most beautiful a nil fashionable ladies in all the
surrounding country ? and as an appendage .'there
to, nearly double the number of elegantly dressed
and intelligent gentlemen.- - ..
At 9 o'clock, the bride and groom were escorted
before the minister, the Rev. Mr. Cheshire,
by their attendants, and we do not recollect of ever
having heard the marriage ceremony performed in
a more elegant and impressive manner. -The si
Icuco which followed tho conclusion of the cere
mony, was becoming a little embarrassing, if not
painful, when a little pleasantry from onr witty
host, put every body at their ease, and in a Short
time-we were all happy and acquainted. After
taking aniulroductioi! to most of the strangers, and
swapping a few of the pleasantries common on such
occasions, we made our way to the presence ol
the bride, and tho, we have always admired her
beauty, and as we have often done, Complimented
her on her elegance and taste in matters of dross,
yet, we were more than ever, struck with the ex
treme elegance and appropriateness of her costmne
on this occasion, "and if we ever do marry but
we know we won't," it is exactly the style ofdress
we want our bride to have on.
: Her bridesmaids wore first the elegant and affa
ble Miss W of our Town. The sweet and accom
plished Miss O of Franklin. Tho wealthy and
beautiful Miss R "of W and the charming blue
eyed Miss Pof this couniy, liian whom . more
polite and agreeable bevy could not have been se
lected for the occasion. Where thero wa. such
a collection of beauty we hope we ray not l e cor-sidi-red
invidious in designating a few of the par
ty whomoro particularly struck out fancy. In the
first group, we had occasioned to notice, we were
struck with the face of the charming Mis. W of
Virginia, whose black eyes and raven t'esses,
with certain naivete of manner, is destined to do
mortal injury to many a forlorn bachelor. This
young lady was under the charge of two of our
most delightful county lassies, the Misses N
who are invariably the very life and soul of any
company they may be thrown into. The older
MissN we consider one of the finest of ladies;
at the same lime possessing such unaffected sim
plicity of manners, as to make her perfectly irre
sistible. The next group was nnder the charge of the
accomplished and intelligent Mrs. S , of this
county; consisting of her agreeable daughter Miss
S ; Miss W. F. Jl. and Miss II , the last
belonging tJ the county of Orange. Mis. H. can
boast of as sweet a face and as handsome figure,
as any lady we know of; and with tho beautiful
combination of the lily and the rose on her cheeks,
reminds us very much of a Norlliorn beauty,
The Misses P of War renton form
el a very considerable moiety of tho gay scene;
especially by their combination of those beautiful
duetts on the piano, which will be long remem
bered by many of us. Their vivacity and gayety
of manner, is perfectly charming', and if they
were not Uie most beautiful ladies in the room,
we never found it out. We musl not omit to men
tion another stranger, whose acqnaintauce gave
os much pleasure; we allude to tho charming miss
I, , of Franklin, (he quietude and elegance of
whose manners, wou all hearts that approached
her. Though we have given these especial noli
ces of the preceding ladies, yet we would by no
mean, place "them in advance of other, of onr
more immediate vicinity, for instance Mis. A
nf C , who is (till under the tatdlaga of Mrs.
Phelps of Patapaoa and Miss H R , of
our town who altt belongs to the same school. I
.in no prpphe, nor the son of . prophet ; but if
these two young ladir. do not create . sensation in
the faslaonable circle, in . year or two then lam
no judge of the human form divine. A dancing
party wat given en Thursday night, by Mrs. 0.
the lady of our member of Congress. Ami we
need only mention her name In connexion with
die affair, for you to Infer1, that it was elegant and
recherche in the cxSremo. The fact j, there .re
few ladies n our' country, who vil) onM with
her, either iu Hie Jomoatic ctrcle.or when seen, as
upon lb,a t wciiaioideiflg if lienor, of Iter splendid
table and minion to a very large anil fashionable', of Southern rights: but we are not sure that th
crowd, spreading life and gnyely in every circle j time hascome for this kind of action, and are ex
she mixed in; - - tremely unwilling tosee the South placed in a false
The festivities were clcsed by .handsome dan
sing party at Mr. Furguson's Hotel, given by the
young gentlemen, on Friday night ; and by Sunday
morning our town was still and as quiet aa ever.
Our best wishes go with all the farties, and
with this we take our leave until some lucky fellow
shall give us another excuse for as-cxtended a no
tice of his wedding.
: By the mar with the CiitrET bah.
THE EALEIGH TIMES.
Hi
slits
. r:.CS.
RALE I Gil, N. C.
Jriiiaji IHorning.-'tbruarn 1, 1850.
"Voiinneekd us the Vniimis with the remembrance
if part npfines, sense of freienl hMsing, ami
the ifipeaf future peace and prosperity, eiery dic
tate J vimlom, errry fitiwg if duly, erery emotion
of patriotism, tend in inspire 'fidelity and deration lo
if, and admonish us cautiously to awid any unnrcfS'
sary controversy which ean either endanger it or
impair its strength, the chief element of which is to
be found in the regard and affections nf the pmple
for each other," Genf.iial Taylor's Messaoe.
. THE SOUTHERN CONVENTION.
As we have failed to discover the precise- uijeft
.1
of this Convention and we deem it necessury the !
people should A-noir it bclore they are called upon
- !
led upon to j
act we shall continue our observations upon what
we have seen said concerning it.
Some say it is to save the Union. But how are :
we to limit the action of the Delegates ? The ,
whole power of the Slate is to be intrusted into
, . , , , . , . .,,
tl.. 1... ...la nn. if llm nonn a annninl tlmtn it M. ill
their hands, and if the people appoint them, it will
be so much a sanction that the people will be bound
by their action. Could they not, therefore, pro
nounce Me l'n ion ditsolced! We by no-means
charge that they vill do so bnt if they enn do so,
we are opposed to their appointment we aro op
posed loan unlimited delegation of power and v. e
have seen no plan proposed by which instructions
are to be given, so that it may be said to the Dele
gates "thus far shalt thou go and no farther !"
Again ;' we remark that of the papers which
advocate this measure, hardly any two of them are
agreed npon the purposes to be accomplished. We
have seen the views of the Star last week but
the' WiZmiiifon Aurora we take to be in favor of
a dissolution of the Union and the establishment of
a Sontliern Confederacy; and (bis Convention at
Nashville its editor looks to for the accomplishment
of these objects. If the people of North Carolina
are not prepared to go these lengths and in our
heart and soul we believe them to be friendly to the
Union they should pause before they enter into
this scheme before they sanction the appointment
of Delegates to any meeting where, by possibility,
these ultra measures are to be discussed, not to say
perfected.
the Wilmington Commercial is not heartily in
favor of the Convention at all. at present. The
Editor says : "The object and powers of the pro
posed Southern Convention should be clearly defin
ed, that the people may not deceived. We suppose
the Convention should be authorised to secede and
erect . provisional Government, for the Slave-holding
States, to abide so long as the free States re
fuse to a ward to us the rights and privileges of the
Federal Constitution. Action less positive and
final than this, would be equivalent to doing
nothing. t all and to attempt it without the lever
nf the public voice, would be futile, and result only
in clamorand fustian and qiiattlebnmmery."
The idea here is, that no action would be of any
avail unless this Convention be authorised "to is
cede and erect a provisional Government," &c.--Are
the people of North Carolina ready for this?
is there any necessity for it ? and are they pre
pared to send Delegates to Nashville authorised to
uiecede," &.e. 1
We have no idea of any such thing. And hero
let it be observed, that all this action wo are called
upon to take is anticipatory. Congress has not
passed the Wilmol Proviso timet It was incorpora
ted into the Oregon bill, and approved by Mr. Polk,
. Southern President, which approval was excus
ed and defended by many of the presses so rabidly
nltra on this subject now, and in favor of . Nash
ville Convention, in advance of its passage agaip.
Slavery has not yet been abolished in the District
of Columbia, nor ha. Congress excluded the peo. j
pie of North Carolina from participation in the
Territories. We suffer grieva nces, it is true, from
(he action of (le Nortliern people on (he subject of
Slnvery, and the rights of the South denied by the
practical operation of Northern laws. . But is there
no remedy for .11 this short if secession and dis
union? If there is, is it likely the Southern Con
vention at Nashville can provide such remedy ?
We believe it would exasperate rather than heal
we believe it would increase the difficulties in our
way rather than remove them. " :
We have now discussed this question as far .s
we deem right .nd necessary.' Iti. for (hi peopU
to decide to tln-ir enlightened judgment we com
mit it. We have expressed our own view, frank
ly and freely, .. we had a right , to do w. know
better than to attempt to dicta1. a, lo any one. If,
upon the wholo, it is deemed best that thisConveil
tion should mec' nt all, and North Carolina i. to
be represented In It, .we hope and trust our Dele
gates will be insi rooted to take no steps towards
disolutlon of tli. Union, until the measure, .gainst
which we protest art actually adopted by Congress
For ourselves we .re free lo .ay .gain, a. wt
have often said before, that if Congress assume.
t)ie right tobo!ish Slavery wltera it e5riste,we see
n' t how we sre ts remain iii Hit Union, consistent
ly with Soqlticra nivix d, 'Itf Jusl maiutciunce
ill
jWMSW ft'WX'S
position.
SPEECH OF MR. CASS.
This distinguished gentleman, on the 21t and
22d January, made a Speech in the Senate, which,
we suppose, would occupy about 40 columns of
our paper. It is calculated for the latitude of the
South, being a strong argument in support of the
ductrines of the Nicholson letter, and adverse to
the power of Congress to legislate respecting1
slavery in the Territories. The Senator commen
ces by acknowledging the question an abstraction;
though involving a great principle; and he con
tends for the absolute right of the people of the Ter
ritories to settle it for themselves. Are they not,
(he asks) " competent to manage their own inter
nal affairs ? Are they not of us, and with us ?
bone of our bene, and flesh of our flesh? The
The same people, with the same views, habits,
and intelligence ; all, indeed, which consitutcs na
tional identity ? Aye, sir, and exhibiting by the
very act of emigration a spirit of enterprise which
coniniends them the more to our respect. Cannot
such a tieople administer their own government
salely and wisely? Experience says they can.
I hey have in every instance proved their capaci
ty for self-government, and life, liberty, and proper
ty have been as well protected by their laws as by
the laws of the Sutes. It is clear, then, that thero
is no necessity for Congress to legislate for the
Territories. They have never legislated exclu
sively ; and the very few instances of the exerciso
of such a power upon the statute book were not
only unconstitutional, but were nets of supereroga
tion, which the Territorial Legislature was much
more competent than the National Legislature to
consider and determine to the satisfaction of tht
people of the Territory. It may be said, sir, that
some of the recent acquisitions contain n considera
ble population foreign to our political institutions,
and not as well qualified to appreciate them ..
lllir unlit' nr hi, iiirtilitt.i.t firivntm H'tinard fjmili,
..... . . .
wii.i oho uuLi.iiuiis. iiui bit, mi. oitiecnon
. ' . . . ,
wiucn uowever, aoes not toucn iiie principle is
entitled to no consideration as a practical one.
There is not a territorial government we shall or
ganize in which the majority of the active popula
tion will not be American citizens, emigrants from
, . .. . . , b.
the older States, in which this class of person.
'
will not exercise a preponderating influence, con
trolling all public measures. What, then, have
we to fear ? Tho great issues of life and death
are left to the people. No one calls this iu ques
tion. And to the same trust may be committed,
with equal safety, all the other objects of internal
legislation..
And late proceedings in California to organize
govt rnrnent, and (he constitution which ha. been
the remit, are the best proofs that could be offered
of the capacity of the people ts lay the foundation,
of their political institutions wisely and justly
What a practical comment is that constitution up
on the doubts we have heard expressed in this hall
and out of it, respecting the intelligence of the re
mote Territories, and the necessity of restraining
them by Congressional legislation. I know of ho
constitution in this broad Union, where the princi
ples ofrational and progressive liberty are belter
secured than in this first great political offering
from the shores of the Parific."
We have nothing tooTtject to the doctrine that
when (he people of the Territories come to form
their State Constitutions, they have the right, and
it is thoir duty, to settle all questions of domestic
policy for themselves. On the contrary we feave
always contended for (hat right, in common, we
suppose, with every person at the South but we
regard this very right as settling the Slave ques
tion, so far ss relate, to them, .gainst us: The
conrseofeventsabiindanllyprove.it. I
Of course, we Intend no analysis yf this long,
learned, and able Speech it is impossible for us
to publish it but we shall refer to it whenever
necessary for bur purposes. We regret lo find
that it contains no proposition for the pacification
of the country no remedy for the sectional divi
sions which threaten (he harmony and permanence
of llie'Union. It in entirely personal' to the Senator
in his present situation and he is not even wil
ling to vote as he thinks right though his vote
might prevent (lie passage of the Wilmot Proviso
through the Senate. Bui he intimates that he
will resign his seat, and givo the Legislature of
Michigan the opportunity to elect some one in hi.
place, who will go for llie Proviso at all hazards.'
The Speaker is exceedingly brave, therefore, in
words, but a'.rinks from taking the responsibility
of violating the Instruction, of his Legislature, and
appealing to the people. ' :',' , '. ,t . ', ' , " .
Huw Mr. Cass is lo reconcile his opinions with
those of his Democratic Free Soil friends else
where, i. ako his own business. Some of the
Democratic Senators seem to have but little res
p xt for his Speech, long as it i. for Mr, Phelps,
declared in the Senate, the next day, that the' doc
trine advanced within the past few days that Con
gres had tio power over the territories except. s to
the title tii die land, and not over the people inhab
iting the land, was untenable. Congress had by
treaty attached the land to the Union, and also
the sovereignty of the land; and it wa. rather ridicu
lous to say that Congress could not exercise that .
sovereignty further than to sell the land by quar
ter sections. And if the doclrine lutelv advanced
in the Senate lie correct, he knew rig term to pi
ply to the situation of the Tertitorie.. If Congres.
had no power of control over them, and Hie United
btates had only a claim to the land, and ot over
the inhabitants, he knew but one term applicable
to their condition, and that was, they were adrift.
Upon the whole, we regard this Speech .. tht.
bid of Mr. Can. for Southern support In the Dom
oo ratio nomination for the Presidency,- nd we
sre perfectly willing It should be successful,.
With the lights before us, we prefer to trust ,014
Zachary, now and henceforth, upon Ibis subject
and upon .11 oilier., He, .1 least, meddle, hot
with the power of Congress either to define or to
aontroTlt. Ie leaves that question where be found
it and hi. policy ha. been lo leave lo the people jj
lUm.-luM tl.n --.. f .1 r I. . ..it 1
,in.nwiiT ,iM- ii-guiatiuii vi meir iiiivruti! affairs
thus praoliiing what the theoretical. mind f
Cass oo!y preaches, while be shrinks from rXiot,
big himself to the wrath of hi. constituent wlm
think diflbrcutly, '
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