The New York Herald Newspaper, May 18, 1859, Page 4

* 4 NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1859.—TRIPLE SHEET. oo THE SOUTHERN CONVENTION. Our Ascendancy in the Gulf of Mexico. THE OPENING OF THE SLAVE TRADE, HIGHLY IMPORTANT DEBATE. Great Speech of Ex-Senator Foote, of Miss. His Denunciations of Treason and Ex- posure of the Slave Trade Fallacies. Hopes of Nationalizing Ww H. Seward. Strong Speeches of Messrs. De Bow, of La.; Adams, Bennett and Moody, of Miss.; Jones, of Ga., and Others, RESOLUTIONS REPORTED BY BUSINESS COMMITTEE, Key ke, Kee SPECIAL REPORT FOR THE NEW YORK HERALD. OUR MISSISSIPPT CORRESPONDENCE. APPEARANOR OF VICKSBURG—AN FCC THE SOUTHERN CONVENT! PRECH OF ITS PRE: SIDENT—ONLY FIVE STATES KEPRESSNTED—MIS- SISSIPPL DELEGATES, ETO. Vicxspura, Miss., May 9, 1850. Vicksburg is not the prettiest or the pleasantest place in the world; but it seems both pretty aud pieacaat \u contrast with the dreary, inuzdated waste of flat, iow country which meets the eye of the voyager down (he Missiesippi. It stands on a high bluif—tie only one, I be lieve, that presents a gite for a town in the whole four hundred miles between bore aud Memph'r. Its business street is memed ia honor of the Father of hi antry ‘This street, which is narrow and payed with blocks of Timestone, runs p: 1 with the river, but at a consider: able elevation over it. Othor streets are named after J. gon, Monroe, Madison, Jefferson, &c. Handsome private re sidences are numerous in the city, principally on the line of Cherry street, which runs along tho summit of the b and from which tere is an extensive view and dowo and across the river. A handsome court house is in tae course of erection on a plot of ground ner Cherry street; but it occurred to me that a less preteatious style of arch: tecture than the Grecian style that has been adopted would have better guited the size of the building, which is small, apd the materia! used in it, which is brick, stuc coed in imitation of granite, Vicksburg is famoue for its fruits and flowers. The lat ter are certainly growing in great profusion and luxu- rigace around the deep porched cottages and more state! resideaces with which the upper streets abound. Just at this seacon it is pleasant, in the early morning and in the coo! of the evening, to/sauntemalong here and eojoy The woodbice spices wafted abroat, And the musk of the roaes blown. But, on the whole, it would require great inducements, indeed, in point of fortune, to make one cast his lot hers, 9) orin any partof Missiseippi thatI hare seen—for no | sooner are the people recovering their equaaiuity on the | Bubsiding of the waters after an inundation, than they | jose it again in apprehension of the yellow fever. Ther though Jackson, the capital of the State, aud on the oppo. Bite side of the river, in Arkanses, there is a piece of rat ‘a operation, which is designed to cross that State to Te: Its terminal point here is De Soto City, fer oy that name is designated the overflowed swamp, in’ which are floating some half dozen wooden shanties. ‘Of courss ‘the bed of the road is also under water, and the roar of the locomotive has ceased to ha heard over there. it S ty of the hills. Tae usual landing place was cover. ovly by an ingenious placiag of planks that ‘a footway to Gry Iwod was arranged. Tae Prentisa House, which was formerly the principal hotel here, is partially ‘surrounded | by water, and is therefore a not very safe or salabrious stopping place now. As itis an ill wind that blows nobody gosd,so the Wash 'wgton House, which occupies a more elevated posi tion tuan its rival, bas almost a monopoly of the hotel busines just now. An atmbsing peculiarity about the Washington House is 8 curious habit which its proprietor, Mr. Mcvackia—I beg his pardon; I should have given him bis tit!e of General— bac of spnouncing to his gursts at table the va rious dishes provided for them. Just imagine a pleasant faced, smiling, philsathropic looking, elderly gentleman standing at the head of the table reou the various dishea are ranged before the ers, and shouting ont in the intervals of his pleasaat work in a tone of voice and with n manner of delivery combined of the moasared solemnity of a Methodist preacher aud the jocular bautering of an aactionecr, sach phrec’s as the foiowing:—“ Ho! all ye that are buogry or thirsty; here is the ham end the I andthe jelly and Ihe 3 Ho! re M done! “Hol the bard the green peas! Bo! the flac cabbage and pbage \ouncement he is inter- children who T plates, nnd aa ries are re Lup to exercise he bas attended to all t Wl be comingon strawberries"? Jed, and it takes. well done beef jon cope, with or withont the the onions. Here is the flae fresh erel, A No 1. ere ig the bam broiled Here are the eggs bol'ed bard, and the 3 fricdjon the one side, and the eges f er sround the gingerbread And so our eccentric but excellent host goca through the whole catalogue of good things with waich bis table is plentifally supplied, pressing their various tion of hisgucsts Not satisfied, however, with this tation to his gucrts collectively, to eat, drive and be he goes from chair to chair, asking them individu. to be helped to something else, and to make them- ite at bome.’ Compliance with the latter request ery naturally, for, without pretension to style ance, the house is really well kept; and General ackin, notwithstanding this laugable peculiarity of his, is a pleasant, social aud attentive nost. What better recommendation can an tnn have? Just vow the bouse is crowded far beyond its regu'ar capsbilities of accommodation. Every boat from up and down the river brings more or lesa accessions to the number of delegates to the Souihern Convention, and stil it is confidently expected that many more are on thelr road here. A Jarge public ball on Washington street has been pro- vited for the Convention. The firet meeting was held there at noon to day, when a talkative little old gentleman, introduced as the venerable Jadgo Jones, of Georgia, was nominated and chosen temporary President. On assuming the position he said :— - THE PRESIDENTS’ SERCH. Centismen DetxGates—We have met here ag Southern men to subdserve Southern interests, to exchange reuti- ments one with the other, ag {o what may be most promo- tive of the interests of our common country—I mean the T hope that whatever differences of opinion may be entertained among us, on the important subjects that May ve brought before this assembiy, those differonces Will be entertaines with good feeling on all hands ; that we will observe towards wach other that courtesy, and extend to each other tant consideration which one Southern man ought to extend to snother, J hope that the minda and the hearts of all will be ardently turned toward tho interests of our country, and that no captious exceptions will be taken to any slight errors that may be comenitiod by members. We haveeeveral times met in convention for the purpore designated. Ithas beon a'temyted to unerrate these Conventions by askiag what they have done. The simple anewer to tba’ question is: What have we power to co? We bave done all that we expected to. We have made Southern men acquainted with Southern men, We bave bad an interchange of Southern sentiment on ali very important topics, and have been enabled to show, on rome occasions, that it would be profitable to baye the re- commendatiogs of these Conventions adopted. We are a ®et of southern men, voluntarily met together without fee or reward or compeneation, to take into consideration ‘and to present to our fellow citizens of the South measures ‘which We think would be beneficial to them to consider and adopt. Thus far have we gone, No farther have we power to go. I trust that our deliberations on the Present occasion will be marked with thet character which be- comes us as Southern men. (Applause. ) It appeared, by taking a vote on a motion to adjourn to five o'clock, that there were some forty nine delegates present. The following are the ouly States that are re, Presented up to this time: South Carolina. Lonisiena, Miaissi Neither McRae, or of Cong “ Neil » member grees, of Mississippi, Bryan, member of Congress, of Texas, who were ce rm ube Ei ve Committee, bas yet made li's appearance, Henry 8. Bennett, formerly member of Oonzregs from Mingenitt, but since then relapsing into his pet of hard shell Baptist preacher, is a’so a delegste. Tho Rey \-, B. was one of the seven who voted ‘‘No,” on Speaker Orr's celebrated reeolution, declaring it inexpediert to reopen the African slave trade. He is now here to give renewed expresgion fo bis sentiments on that point. Tho reopening of the slave trade is the grea’ principle on which this Convention plants itself. Toe Convention met again io the eveniog, when the Golegstes having enrolled thelr names it appeared that ‘they numbered in all seventy four porsons, divided atnong cigbt States in the following proportions:— Mississipi, fifty —smong them two reverend gentlemen bos, leven; Louisiana, four; Tennessee, four; Georgia, two; and Texas, Alabama and Florida one each. They Aare A reepectable looking vody of men, aparently p'an ters for the most part, Many of them sport gold-heate or sliver headed canes, probably prentaes Laene vet 0 nd most of them squirt tobacco juice ove ibe tear ent tha More ope ofthe ciel objects of ufo, Aine of Ana re aoe aatt a o Conve: m y, was invited " te ie i other gentloman from Talla uasseo, Florida, who Was not chosen a delegate was admitted a8 one; aad foally a resolution was offered javiting all gentlemen pow in the city, though not elected delegates, to take their feats, The remark of a delegate that under tint resolu tion a gentieman from Maseachusetts might take his seat, Jed eome amusement, Oe raeveckion did uot favor the proposition, there be- Ing but three votes in its favor. ‘ While the committee on permanent organization was ia session a negro doy entered the balland oistributed among the members copies of an address on the subject of the African slave trade. ‘This paper was sigued J. N. Davia, and addressed “ To the members of the Sou:hern Conven: tion." ‘The arguinent of this paper was that the right to import Africons brigipaily belonged to the States respectively, and had never been dclegates to the United States; that {na moral or legal point of view there ts no difference between bricging into Musiesippi from Africa or from Vir- ginia; that by the reopening of the trade the South ‘would acquire political strength, as every five Africans im- ported would be equal to three white men; that » demand should be made upon Congress for a repeal “of thore abo: mivadle jaws,” (declaring the slave trade piracy,) and that, if that demand failec, as was probable, “each State should ect upon her reserved rights, and pate laws treat- ing al! Africans landed ou her borders as slaves, and pro is a railroad hence to New Orlears, which passes easy alfair to obtain a landing oa the shore of | in the turbid waters of the Mississippi, and it was tectipg thore who own thew, in the same mannor that she would tboew landed from Virginia” Que argument used in this peper is worthy of attention, Speakiog of the ‘States cf Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, the writer says: very negro vou bring from thrae States, you lessen the strength «f the institution there, Une main ressoa which ta duces them ‘0 vellia the high prices. You are, therefore rat tempting them to sell, and then payiag them (0 i the la- Mitution Lower the'prires and get your su, and Lene! tates wil Le compelled to be loyal tothe tid to stand by you in weai or woe; but buy all they hav aod they Will no longer sympathise with, much jase eteud Aha matter the 1, of get cefence and gelf presarrstings # should. eek another market from v hich to gel Toe Convention was permanently organized by the cho’ oral Charles Clarke, of Mississippi, as presid- d then an ac journment took place. SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS SVEECH OF THE PRESIDENT— GOVERNOR MRAE'S RESO- LUTIONS ON THR ASCENDANCY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND ON THE ASCENDANCY OF THE UNICED STATES IN THE GULF OF M ‘HE RYOPENING OF THE SLAVE TRADE—S?PEECE. ON THE SUBJECT. Vicxanura, Miss , May 10, 1859, several ea arrived last evening and this mora- fog to swell che numerical importance of tho Sothern | Convention. ‘There are probably, however, not more | than twenty dve trom ali the States exclusive of Misais- Tuese delegates receive their credentials either from (he Governors of States, Mayors of cities or inten- dentes of districts, There are four delegates from Mem- phis, sppoipted by the Mayor of that city, but the Gover- | vor of Tennessee declined to appoint any from the State at large. General Cuantes CLARKE, Of Mississippi, on taking the cba'r as permanent President of the Convention, returned thanks for the honor done him, He said that the objects cf these Coaventions had been frequently misrepresented by the press and misunderstood by the people. They | | elppt | and the commercial independence of the South, Th bowever, did not constitute them a more charaber of com. | meree, to consider purely and abstractly of commercial | relations. They were here as Southern men, not merely | as commercia! men, but as agriculturists, | cf the South, which’ was bound to control the commerciai | interests of the world, was founded on the great agricy ‘ye safety and prosperity. This necesearily opened vp a wie field of aisoussion, and gavo to tho epemies of these Conventions the member were mere politicians. The ques. | tion of commerce opened ap the vast flold of political | discussion in regard to commercial regulations and the | four weeks afterwards Mr. Lamar had brought up thirty- bordoes imposed on commerce. factures opened up a fleld of digcussion as tothe proprie:y or impropriety of benefi's being given by the generai go- vernment. Tbe question of internal improvements raised on of the power of the ates or individua ncement of internal improvements aed up the grand question whether that is to be Tuo question of manu to contribute to the | Iabors are not to bo brought to bear upsa it, (The Con: | ing o of ree« | A | bis non-attencan Convention to cont the laid before it by @ delegat GOVERNOR B'RAES RESO AND DUTY O¥ Tink SOUTHL the floor ) Thoir object was not the mere passage ati wing resolutions, which he CTIONS, DECLARING THE POSITION THY. ASCENDANCY OF THE REPUB VEUOLDING STATES IN THE CON- 1 ERNIE: Resolved, That ths control of the federal government in te Jeres of the republican party of the pon glaveholting Sts | the leacing principle of *bose orgauization is. opposition | African slavery ua it existnin the alaveboltiog States of the | | Union, with n’dectared hoatitity to the insiituiion, whieh pvo- p | clsines it the right wd duty of tbe government to restrict itto | to prevent axiensioa to the Territories, to | oh ie turbe Dierict of Cotumbia and in the forls, dock | ’ within the mite of the States and isthe | sippi—Mr, John C, Humphreys—who declared nimself to | | Ste preeent limite ebe reer yerce ard erritories, to prohibit its trade between the States in which | xists, aud ulumately to effect the emascipation of the slaves tbemeelves and the entire overthyow of the ayatem, will make ! the right and duty of the elaveholding States to look to them. relves for protection and welf creservation, by such im2ans as by them shall be determined reat, in the present government, or in & separate organization, which shali pla-e the institution cf slavery ard the rigbis and interests of the slavenolilia, tates under the iadependent control of thoze alone {utereste nit and among whom 1! exts 1 Resolved. Thet the gurcess of tbe republican party In the election of a President of the Unied States by a se tional ma. jority in 1860 upon the priaciples above declared will be a vir. 1 diseouutlos of the compact of the existiag Union of the end in thet event this Convention recommends to the {the slay sbolding Btates to meet famediately in con. determine the mode aad measure of upholding the jon a] govert ment as it at present exists lation into cflice of a rept sugoraticn of the republican party tn power; or, failing inthat, toresoive the plaveholding States intyasepirate fade sendent orponization, with ‘such conatitu'innel form of government as will best secre their safcty, thelr honor, thevr rights and in Jona, and mske them a Power of the earth, OF Mx: eatire country. require th of the United Btate ure this end the een, Cuba an Ame Pacitic looking _ to thin subject, thin Con the touthern laa of the a € |. 2d, the 6? effort of the Isthmian Stet P ncer the American rule, n overnment of the United States, (ee sbro sation of the Ulayton Bulwer t and toat the govercment shail briag the forse of {ts moral and physical influence ty example, lo enocuraging the dev eon principles and free iv lopement and aprevl of ro- tone i the island of Uubs, The tathorlan fates, and umong all the peorte aad Sacer ot | this cop‘iacnt. These and other resolutions were referred without d to a Committee on Business, com, of three delegates from each State—States whic reprevented | by lees than three members being eutitl to three vous. session, Mr. t mate by him ¥, Alabama, o@ og with the fol- , of South Carol last Convention the revival of the Afri lowing resolutions: 1 That glavery ta right ©. he natarel m ant that being right: to ite forme f prover the for is Coo asider t ti vilgetiona of th n wg the fom trade und thet # plan to the vext melt tion. Several prop of order were mado in regard to thees ret olutiong, and one resolution was of ered as sn emenc at (histiner declaring that it was iw 7 tay, trace. The order, and Mr. Srrarr had the opportunity exteaded to him: of ex. pleinivg and vindicating h'g report and supporting bis re- solutions. He gave a historical 2 of the growth and epread of tt slaves, and argued the propriety, justices oediency of adopting big resolutions. Tasy had no ception, he esid, bi se) AB to d thst all dividing the that was liy the Sox interest to be with them. t the slave trale could not be legal ¢ that to re-establish it the Uuioa > diesolved. Let it be eo. The m oath bad higher n to pre’ the Union. nitions bleseed with every evidence it was not for them to forego the n blind devotion to a mere human in. etiw ) If, then, the question cams up whe } boald follow out her fortanes or forego them in deference tothe Union, they, as brave and honest Patriots, bad Lo option but t6 follow out those fortunes, It mgbt be said that such a meagui legalized, and that it was ka giaat peoples stoop to & measure not sanctioned by the law, could not dievolve tho Union. It was not certain thet the States themeelyea could ever do go, They could Bot even control the action of the present government, shoo! Tacy irrevocably into the hanés of those who expressed remorseless hostility to Southern institutions. Mast the South take as law whatever such Congress ma; to dictate? The South could not, of itseif, Tegitimats any | }, take no steps until le- | Action; but should they, ther eitimated? Must they own the slavish doctrine tat power carries with it the right Spt Tf the repolations proposed by him were affirm: the Convention, the re. opening of the slave trade would have all the sanction which, ag Southern men, they would sek. (Applaure.) If the principle chould be approved by Southern sentiment, | } matters tittle what might be the courae of Congress. The profits of the trade would compeneate the risks of ‘he adventure, and piayes would be brought into ihe couotry. Besides that, theré was a poilut of ‘enor tnvolved in this matter. There were meo in tle Soudh wio felt that in this way only could South take the position that was copsis- ; the marmtenance of her rights, His friend Lamar aad alrenty hoisted the slave trade flag, aad ‘hat flag pow floated at the masthead. the government, in that madness whict precetes d's tioo, should send its agents hereto spy out tae acts of sSonthe U8, and take thelr property for ucts which they recog nige a8 rigbt--as sure as the sua should rise it would rise op the reeking plaing of another Lextogton avd Concord address to the Southern Convention, next took the stand, and made a covst | slaves? had primarily for their object the interests of commerco | (Appl It b ‘p racn, to cnforce this law, to seize Southern citi (Loud applause ) Mr. Isaac N. Davy, of Panola, Miss , the author of tho wuiiepal argument to prove that Coa- grees had no right to pass laws probibitiog the African slave trade, Be offered a resolution declaring that the | Jaws of Conpress sgainst the African slave trade shall bo | be unconstitutional, it was strange the traps‘ormaticn mado upon wen by putting on tho robes of judicial power. fe instanced Judge Campbell, who, be paid, wae a schoolmate of his own, and who was once the head and front of disunionism in the South; aad yet po more odious and dampabie doctrines had ever fal- jen from the lips of man than were contained in the charge of Judge Campbeli on the sudject of the slave trade. | The slaveholders of Mississippi did not number one third | of the white men of the Stite. Why? Booause the; $1,500 fora slave. So loug a e of thivgs existed they could not rely on the non slavebolding population to aid them in driving back tbe tice of abolitionism. Open the siave trade; have the price of waves reduced to $400 or $500, and all the white mep of the Southern States would own slaves, and would bave @ direct interest ia the preservation aud perpetuation of the institution. Not only would Virginia and Kentucky, and Tennessee, and Delaware, and Mary- land, and Missouri! be saved from abolitioniem, but the slavery system woold flow over and be extended into States that are now non slaveholding. He held that the moment a negro touched the soil of a Southern State, no matter whether be caine from Africa or from Virginia, be Blave, and al! questions affecting his status must be verpment could affect the question exce] the bayonet, and they were not much afr plause: ‘ ne) Jona, of Ga.—Not the least. Mr. Davis went on to say that whenever the slave tra- ders are satisfied that when they bring africans here theso Africans will be treated as slaves, and themselves will cot be sent to the gallows, they will run all the risks of English and French guns, and bring Africans to these ebores. If the slave trade should even lead to disunion, belp him God be would follow it there. (Applause.) But be did pot believe it would lead to disunion. He thought it would rather strep; the ligamonts of the Union. If a bad sixteen millions of slaves instead of four, they would be standing on high grounds of deflance to all invaders. The labor ts there in Africa, plenty and cheap, and asa friend of his had remarked to him last evening, the only difficulty was that they wanted more slaves than €ven Africa could supply. Mr. W. M. LawTon, of 8. C., desired to ask a question from Mr. Davis, How did he propose to have the laws of Congrese on the subject of the slave trade repealed? Mr. Davis—Whi'e he held that they ongbt to be re- peated, believed that they wou'd not be repealed. But even in spite of these laws if the States would only en- force their own rights the Atrican slave trade might be renewed and carried on. t. Harris, of Vicksburg, wanted to know what the last epeaker would recommend if the States themselves should, #8 Miesissippi had done while he (Mr. D.) was a member, pags laws prohibiting the introduction of of that, (Ap- Mr. Davis would go to bis constituents and to the people ‘and try to operate on pub ic opinion till such a law should be repeaied. He did not know whether he himseif had voted for that law. He beiteved he had; but he had not given tbe subject any consideration at the time, A GsorGia DELEGATE—Mr. Wm. §. Mortoa, of Colum- bus—taid that the sentiments just expressed by the gon tleman from Mississippi would be sustained by the State The commerce | | ithas been by South Carolina in the Echo case, His friend, nterest, which itself was the key and arch of the | Lamar, was bravded aga pirate. Aneighbor planter ol room say that | general goveromentor of | tow to be decided by a j And agricatture | ‘ovary or whether other aids in the way of additional | Africa. The | and Lamar wostd be acquiited. (Applause ) | | vention signified its approval of this sentiment by stamp- | ead from the Hou. J. R. McRae, excusing | on account of il'nees: aad asking the | SDANCY OF THE UNITED STATES IN the nid of its sucvess‘ul | | sionarizo | of Congrees on the subject has an express provision that | making a contract with free Africans to serve him for ® mendinent out of | | goes to Afri: ‘opic zePiment in regard tothe | w raise the fisg of the siave trade. | Southera States by this, | 4 would be | mad | unbecoming a great people to | | id bot be theys then, take 29. lan? wine for eameSL | he did not believe that that | determined? ‘The power to control Congress had prased of Georgia. Mr, Davis—I thank you, s'r; 1am a native of Georgia. Mr. Monroy—Georgia is with Mississippi and South Caso ling ou this question. (Applause) If Georgia could be ena. vaesed and her votes counted, she would be found in tae trout ranks for repealing that law. This vexed question will be decided by Georgia soon, and will be sustained agably as his, Mr, Mott, bail bought one of those Africaus from Mr. Lamar. The African was worth ono thousand six huadred dollars, and Mr. Mott bad bought him at public auction at Savanueb for cight hundred dollara, and instead of bring ing him to his plantation had shown'him publicly. About three of these Alricans. They were the likeliest negroes that hc—Mr. M.—had seen in the State of Georgia for the laat twelve months. They were pabiloly, offered for sale, apd some of them were purchased. Tho question was , and this Convention might rest assured that there was not a true Southern maa living in Georgia—and frem such"men the jury would be select. ed—would haog @barlie Lamar for bringing negroes from would goas the Echo case bad gone, Mr. Richarp T. ARcmER, of Claiborne county, Mise , next | took the stand. He said it was God’s policy and man’s | ag f to open the slave trade. He read a paper prepared | yy himeeif, to prove that stocking the laud with slaves was necessary to the fuldlment of God’s mandate, that | man should subdue the earth. After his speech, tne Convention took a recess for din- | ner. | EVENING SESSION. EXCTING AND INTERESTING DISCUSSION—TRR. BRANDED AND DENOUNCED BY A CHIVALROUS MISSISSIPPIAN—EX SENA- | TOR FOOTE 10 THE RESCUR—HIS FIRRY DENUNCIATION OF | TREASON HATCHERS—INTENSE EXCITEMENT, ETC. VicxencrG, Miss., May 10, 1859. When I got into Apollo Hall in the evening, the Conven- tion had already assembled, and a gentleman from Miseis- beeminently a law-abiding citizen, was addroesing it. But yet be\gaid he was willing aud ready to vote fora re- Vival of tho slave trade, and for @ repea! of all the laws | Prohibiting it. He wanted to live up to every law on the | statute book. The apprentice system would be the enter- | ing wedge for the introduction of negroca, and was the only system that was practicable at this time. He be- lieved that a supply of African labor can be obtained con- | stitutionally and without violatioa of any law of Congress | by the apprentice system. Gy i Mr. Moopy, of Mss., next took the stand. He eaid that | if they came here to talk treason ond preach distoyalty | to the Union, he bad heard so much of that from Missiasipai | politicians that he was nauseated by it. It could do no good to rail against the general government. As to going | into tbe African elave trade with or without the conseat of the gererai government, he was sorry to hear that | declaration mace. He would rather ese the principle re out. (Applause) He himself would tinva no | the prohibitory laws, | oh repoal. it was inex: | id furnish the people of 20 from here tod 2 New ath, Spratt, against y power the “South — them who would fight— of the Union, bot he regarded that -| ple. Is was vain to kick against the | prickg, “48 to the argument that the iaw prohibiting the | eiave trade is unconstitutional, it did not amount to a | decent sophism, A Discustep Detecatr—It is a trucism, sir, The Coaikman—€ lem<n will not interrupt a speaker. The Deucate, still more disgusted, took up his nat and wailed to the door, Mr. Moopy thought that before Mr. Spratt, of 8. C., or Mir, Davis, of Miss., made such declaratioas a they’ did to day it would be better for them to begin and m’s- here at home, In no than ten States are there laws on the statate ohibiting the ingportation of slaves. ca. The code of Mississipp!, enacted in 1957, makes the introdnotion of @ single Atrican siave into this te an offence, punizbable with a fine of $1,600. And yet it was preached here that they could go Sefore Con. 6 and usk Congrees to repeal its law orohibiting tho slave trade, But be knew how it could be doae, ‘Tac law ver knew any o} ssolut’ Southern books no penalty shall be inflicted on any one who introduced en African in accordance with the laws of any state, not in confiict with the Constitution of the United States, There wes nothiag to prevent a man going to Africa and twenty, fifty or ninety years. Mr. Sraart abook bis head in 2 manner indicating dig- sent, but Mr. Moody repeated and reiterated his assertion, ADsLEGATE aeked whether such persons go introduced ere to be Teparded a8 siavea or freemen? Mr. Moopy arswered that there were really no slaves in this country. Acstave is a person who bas no right r bis own life or 1imb, Here every black man mad woman comes uxcer the protection of the law. If a main , and Fayato negro, * If youcome to my Plantaticn and work for me sevent7 years, I will engage to {ced snd clothe you, to get you a medicne man when you are eck, end will bury you decently when you die,” fd if the negro should agree to that, neithor angel, nor Geyil, nor abolitionist could gaicsay the justice wad ‘right of sech a «a ‘a, would snggest to the the remark made by hia, for importing a neges it waa done in accordance on was ia the ast Me. Lamar bat © Unive ates to peroes, first as emizeants and taen S24 (0 give hime of 1820 made the that a ran ¢ into the with the i cy. CONY Was Conscious of that fact. er delegate called attention to tne distinction be- tween siaver ond apprentices. Slaves were properly; apprentices were persons ‘There wan no powar delegated to Congress inthe constitution in regard to the latter. He read from the lired Scott decision to illustrate his od servation Mr. Moovy eaid that the Slavo Trade acts did apply to ai! perecns wbo were to be helt 10 service or laror; but plirass ‘held to service or lavor’® applied to persons who voluntarily make a contract as apprentices. He thought ‘that this apprenticeship system m'ght be introduced without violating either the constitution of the United States “or the laws of Congress, They could make a centract with a Dutchinap, or an Irishman, or a Chinaman, or a coolie—cou'd they not? Aud could not the Legiglature be got to pase iawn compelling the ob- fervenee of such contrecta? It could, and if ‘89, wh: could they not co the same with Africans? ‘Inere Afrl- cane would not be slaves, but they would not be froe no- or They would hold an anomalous position. If his ByBterm were adopted in the South, it would extend to Tiinois, and Indiara, and Kaveas, and othe) ‘oatern: Staten.’ Ho was ono Lf thoes whom they called Reosh No'birge: ond he believed that the people of the Western States would bo very glad to got labor without governors. If they would get labor tn this wy they Woold get rid of all the Uag-rng and bol tall of forega emt. grants. Mr. Hesny Heours—» gentleman of a philosophic turn of min¢—who was chairman of a commutes at the last ee OE TS! men ane em he ERE NOE eT ee Tee OM Ten es TE eee mI | gentlemen from Mesissippi | standing. | 80, and the rest crowded round to get og near the stand | the latter was too mucl | and he threw him off. Some of the more promiaont of annual Convention, took the stand and read a report which 16 bad drawn up with considerable waste of time, toshow, mong other hings, the Christianizing effect which the Bla | that when an African is wor cannibals will continue to eat food -t! Jara pound. sieted ip readicg his psper down to the last 1 | was very leerped, but extremely prosy. trade will bave on Africa itself. His argument was, -¥ h $200, it is uot likely that i org e#sayiet thinned tre ut he per- n fae of the i Teeouta not but be a This Mr. J.) B Us Bow followed, | eouree of regret to all present to perceive the turn which | the debate bad taken, that there was a deficiency of labor in the Southern States, If it were an admitted principle then.it was tobe regreticd that there should be such a Gifference of opinion as to the remedy for tbat repealed. He intimated that if the Judges of the Supreme | es Court obly ducharged. thelr high funetions foatiessiy | evil, WEAAG®: | SOP ROMANE. 00, AURRRINE« PRIDE thd independently) they would rule there laws 2 | itd. the friends of the. apprenticeship system ? iy It might be that they could not get or did not wa nt either. They were ‘eginwate subjects tor digcuesion. If the South was in a minority how could they get any conceivable rigbt upiess they went and asked for and if they did 0, Why should they be told that they were supplicating the people of the North? He did not know whether he came under he category of the fire-caters of the South; but wixtier be did or did not, be did not think the fling againet their courage came with a good grace from the (Mr. Moody). ‘They were uot asking ether for the renewal of the lave trade, or for the ‘cgalization of the apprenticeship system. They only asked that no maudute should go forth from the general govern- ment prohibiting either of these systems. If Missiasippi did not want to adopt either, perhaps South Carolina did and if South Carotiva did not, perbaps Texas did. He ar- gved tbat the constitutional provision deslaring that the © r gress should not pats laws prohibiting the elave trade betore 1808, did not give Congreas that power at that time, . DeBow, without conclnding bis remarks, yielded to a lesire to do that which is us ceedings, bad been made. 6 had been speaking £0 rapity that he was in danger of runing out the thread of his speech or enapping it off abruptly if he continued atit, So he opps. with the understanding thit he was. to resume bis address tomorrow. The motion to adjourn. hadalreacy been mude, and impatient delegates had put on their bats, posseesed themsclyes of their gold headed canes, and were on the point of making a movement to- ward the street door, when their intention was interfered with by ® motion y Mr. Coleman, of Louisiana— the mover of the adjournment baving withdrawn his mo- tuoa for the purpose—to the effect that Mr. Spratt, of South Carolina, ehould be requested to furnteh to the se- cretary, to be printed for the use of the Convention, the speechwith which he had favored them that morning, and the select morceaux of which have been daly collated and forwarded to the Hrraup, 8a simple one enough, and would ordi- ithcut diepu'e or question, But in- ly ex Senaior Henry 8 Foote, of precman i y started ‘that such a thing was unprecedented; and be went on to pour out ina pm | manner his protestations against the adoption of any such proposition. At firat, what with his impetuosity, the ebuflling of feet and moving of chairs, as the Conven- tion was about breaking up, and tue surprise at Lois uo- expected incident, it was imposible to hear distinctly what Mr. Foote wos saying, or trying to say. But then there war a general sbout for him to take the etand—and with a briekaese more in keeping with the full thick brad of hair, and dark well trimmed beard, indicative of youth- ful vigor, which he now, (thanks to peruquial artists and inventors of hair dye) sports, than with the thin locks and grey whiskers to which they have susceeded—de mounted the raised platform whereon tho President's chair was placed, and amid muck vociferation on the part of the audience, and violent gesticulations ou own his part, be delivered himself of the following :— No one, eir, said he, listened to that speech (of Mr Spratt, of South Carolina) with more satisfaction than my- self, so far as it was @ mere iiterary effort. I listened to it with profound attentiov, and I ‘carofully noted every rominent feature of it, The propositioa sow bafore the iy, however weil intenced—as it doubtiess wac—is a very extraordipary one, It is one that is unprecedented on apy occasion of this kind. It is of a pature calculated, if adopted without due deliberation, to commit to some extcnt this whole body to that immenre mass of new, complex, and,asI conceive, dangerous doctrines with which that specch is fraught. For one Iam not willicg, till Teball have bad an opportunity of pondering over its contents more olemply and profouadiy, to give my assent in any shape or form to the pro mulgation of the opinions contaized in it, or to their diffusion throughout the community stampod with the official sunction of this high body. (Uproar and confused'chcers, lauguter und great excitemgnt ) I charge, and Tam prepared te estebiish it whenever I hava ap op. portunity of doing so, that that speech 1s fraught with trearonabie doctrines. Ispeak deliberately. I speak not a8 & partisan ora sectionulist I bolong to no political party under the sun. No party is responsible tor me, aud I am responsible for no party. Tam aflitated with no body of men on any politica! question. But I say delibe- rately that however honest and conacienttous that gentle. man (Mr. Spratt) way be, however high may ve his character in South Carolina, the speech he has delivered here is fraught with treaconable matter; aud if putia practice by apy body of men in the manner proposed, they would each of them be guilty of higt treasoa, and be, tubject, and deserveoly eubject to be hanged by tie neck ubti! they are ceed, dead, dead. Mr. Foote accompanied bis words with geatioulations so Appropriate and £0 earnest that be brought down ioud vociterations, though most of thom were expressive rather of enjoyment of the scene than of sympathy with the gentiments expreered. Of course every one was Those who could get on chairs or tabies did stant to his feet, and in an excited manner declar ag possible. One old gentleman got up to the stand and tried gomo encouraging familiarity with. the speaker, ‘but in earnest (0 brook iuterruption, the fire eaters attempted to interrupt him by somo angry or ineulting expressions; but bold, flory and imprssioned, he waved them ail off, and growing more animated as he proceeded, be tbue ccutinned:— ‘This, sir, is the land of law. Taank God it is a country thatis yet replote with the spirit of aerciem that ani mated our beroic forefathers. Thank God there are yet numbers of men in this land who reepvot the constitution and the Union, who reverence the sacred examples of their forefathers, who have a due respact for these wise and noble institutions uucer which we live, and who have too much regard for the examples and teachings of thoee who preceded them in this republic to degrade themeeives by practisiog such doctrines as hare been this day ca nly and deliberately proclaimed to them. Here the excitable gentleman, who had got up to the Platform, and who hoids the rank of major in the Miacis. Fippt Fencibles, made apother effort to draw Mr. Foo'e's attention, and appealed to him to let him say one word, he appeal was fruitless. My dear str, said Foot: mush. ing back his fiicnély wormentor—do sit dows. Tao Major took the hiat; but could not refrain, as he got off the piat- form, Fb Henry bad never done better with loud langhter s The proposition th is no longer av Hop that the The sentim Mr. Foote coutinned:-— of the United States ameut—!he prop ssi- the Union—euactet by wiser wiser men, I fear, than will over again— (appreciative cheers ) propo Most profound wisd Tooet en} gbtened men of ail nattons— entitled to r ct, aud th stioa on violation of them may petrated oo ibe high geay and ou cho Jana of this glorione contivent— that thee may ba fet at naught and the government functionaries de find thst rejiance may be confidentiy piaced on the j of the country by perjury to aequ 8, 18 O2e Of the most moustrove and vile propositions that could be mato in the hearing of an intelligent and bigh miudet people, Here the wincing among the ultra fie id a9 longer be conceal Hail a dozen of them {rial to edge intome cort of deSial, explanstion or justitteation. were very much excited. Mr. Singleton, mem) Congress from p!, made a nervous advan mH pany ing it with the words 2Ardle, one of tha seoretaries Convention, and editor of the Vicksburg Svulhron, to get ian remark requesting those who. expression of th preaevt. A delegate from South Epeaker to atiow him to put gave an unuce etyle of oratory, y who hoard it, continued Task, said be, no applause and I defy censure. I speak n that thege laws, m Jaroling asked the , aod ina m told with wonderful e sweeping ou ail for the cooutry and I take all the respousibiiiy of what I cay I wil meet tie whole band of South vary ut the sword’s point, at the pisto:’s mouth, or anywhere. (Cheers.) I have no idea of ee: \ng my country’s liberties cloven dowa, the constitution and the Jaws of the country tramploi under foot, aud xtand by quieily, submiiting !o that inglorious degradation, without raiaing my feeb'e voice in eolema ex- clamation against that uprigh cous cond I dare the publication of that ep T was glad to hear it, for I knew that euch doctrines had been for some time smoul Geripg in certain bosoms, and I was afaid there woald not be sufficient maniir ees and frankness to disclose them T wished the monster of treason to unfold himself to pb lic view thet he might be a'tacked, aud, in all his etrous deform (Encouragiz ¢ flere he was interra “You eay you dare w tell you it will be publ's» J ct to its Mr. Foorr—I do not obj publication, I chal- lenge its pablication. All that I denend tit sali pot be publiehed with the official sanction of this body We are asked to publish it, par excellonce, a8 a matter of compliment to !t, and ag, to some extent, tho oflicial voto of this body. Tam opposed to that, I( it was a speech of Herry Clay or of Daniel Webster o2 8 qiretion sn fair dispute, I would refuse that priviicge, } theee gentlemen would bave over thoaght of takiog such an advantage over their adverse Ali T ask oa this cocasion is a {a'r trial of strengta, that those aesuciated with me and myeelf may be a'lowed to enter the areas on equal terms with our aptagonista, and, God being onr helper, under the ehelter of the constitution and tho Jaws of the Union, the spirit o° big toned prtriotian, and the epirt of our fathers on high aiding us in the struggle, we will unborse our atyorsarice and pat them to the ground, (Loud buzzes ant grea! excitement.) I want a foir Sgbt and bo adveniage; T hire nol tea of pub. Meshing any mav’e speech with the official sanction of this body. I wonie consider myseif preeumptuous if Tasked that my own ehonld be pubiisbed, and Tehould discard the fricnd who asked for me euch & privilege, bocarse it would bo vufair, tiiberal and unjuat, * #'* Way is there here who knows precisely what was in that speech? I tcok notes of it, ard studied fever since; but I am not sure that I understand all ita points; I know its leading propositions, and I intend to show that these leading pro- Poeitions teed to Ligh treason, and that the only escape tbat is Leid out to acknowlodgoa folons i¢ through per} ary in the jury box—the most vicious movality ever daringly inculca ed in a free country before. I undertake to way that if tre morality of that speech shontd tad popu ar canction in this county, the country would pat be worthy ‘of being the residemoe of eny howest man or patric", The earnestnera with which this was said, and (ne con. viotion of toe troth of the sentiinent, raisod’ the enthast he} AEM Of FOIE, AWAKE Ded the patriotic oF cited ihe langhter of etil! mora, and for the mingted expreceious of thera purines tm which the audience gave vont, cxvved the orwor | pains harengne, Reenmiog it, he sald: — en atiempt 'o break down every th) olastity end purity io public life, and to reduce ; honor toa mere shadow Everything respectability would be lort to th’s peop'e y whould deliba- ing out bis frm conviction that Patric | was hailed | rately give their ganetion to the accursed monatrositics of this most cxtraordivary speech. ‘Puat is my opinion ana | apy man to come before me and T would say it in the bosom to face with every man that {sopieuse.) I say it to Charleston, I would say it everywhere, aad dare contradiction. OR gentlemen, take your own course about the matter. If you choose to give your sanction in advance to that speech, before we have a chance to avswer dared to emerge from bis own State for the pury baranguing a high-tainded people like this in hehalf of Ligh treason, (Applause.) I regret to have felt com. pelled to express myself £0, and to denounce a speech de- livered by a gentleman with whom I have no personal acquatptance; but I am prepared to go to the world and make good every position that I have laid down, on any field of warfare, of apy sort or description that any man can pame. Mr. Foote dcecended from the platform after having thus poured out hie invective against Spratt’s speech. As there was evidently trouble brewing, many gentlemen vociferously uddregaing the chair, desiring to be heard in reeponge to Foote, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Moodey, who is a conservative looking, peace and order loving and law abiding citizen. Mr. McCarale, the Secre- tary of the Convention, who, though a young man and an editor, is nevertheless neral, mounted one of the forms and appealed to ly to withdraw bis motion, For some time Moody resolutely refused to do 80, but at length yielded to the importunities of his friend, and to the indications on the part of the Convention, and with. drew the motion. reupon McCardle proceeded to speak ina culogistic manner of Mr. Spratt, and of the gallant State of South Carolina—the Harry Percy of Union—the land of Sumpter and of Marion—the land of the Palmetto regiment, which their own immortal Quit man had £0 often led “To glory or the grave.’ (Loud hnzzas and great excitement.) As for the printing of the speech, it was propowed merely as an act of courte- sy to the distinguished gentleman from South Carolina (bo is e¢ itor of one of the Charleston papers), and it was not intended to commit the Convention to its doctrines. As for the ery of treason raised by his friend Governor Foote, be was sick of that, he had go often heard it raised whenever tbc South asked but for ber constitutional rights, But even if it were treason to advocate those mea- sures of public policy that are neceseary to protect South- erp honor and to defend Southern firesides from unjust aggression, then, in the lapguage of Patrick Hoory, ho was guilty of that treason and let them make the moat of it. (Noisy demonstrations of sympathy on the part of the audiedce, which had now been largely increased by accessions from the streets.) If be was to be sacrificed for such treazon there would not be wanting williog vic- tims ag holocausts on the altar of Southern rights, aad be would glory in beiog pumbered among them. Governor Foor explained that he objec'ed not to the printing of Spratt’s speech, but to its being printed with ibe semi cfficial sanction of this Conventioa. Mr. Co“emaN, of Louisiana—who, though an elderly man, only ranks as colonel—explained that when he offer- ed the regolution to print Mr. Spratt’s speech, he had not the slig’:teet intention of thereby committing either himself or the Convention to its doctrines. He only wanted to | have it ‘printed that it might be fthe better pondered over and considered. So far as Mr. Coleman was individually concerned, and v0 far as Governor Foote was concerned, their respective ditciaimers — them right in the matter. Bat it would be rather troublesome to have @ personal explanation of that character from any man in the Convention. Gover- por Foote therefore suggested that the speech might be printed with the remark in the introduction that the South. ern Convention did notfendoree it. That suggestion did not meet a favorable ro while the clamor and uproar was at its heigt thin-faced man, with a scorchingly red, closely clipped bead of hair, stood out before the Chair and made faiat. efforts to be heard. Tbis gentiemun proved to be Mr. Henry 5. Bennett, ex member of Congress {row this State. It secms, however, tbat I was mistaken in saying that he bad fallen back upon the preaching of the Gospel as a Baptist minister after he left Congress. He muct have taken up the practice of.the law, and been very succeas- ful in it, too, for be now ranke a8 a titular Judge. Well, Mr. Bennett was fortunate cnougli to atract the attention of the Chair, and haviog thus obtained a hearing—so far ‘86 that could be done with the drawbacks of a weak, thin oice aud @ pressing crowd—ho went on to give his per- sopal cnéorsement to every word uttered by the distia- guiehed gentleman from South Carolina. He would move that the Vote upon the resolution to print be postponed to three o’clagk to mor:ow, and he would thea like to see who in the Convention would shrink from the responsi- bility of maintaining thore doctrines. a. AB for bimeeif, he would live by them and die for them, if nccesrary. (Bravo, bravo; hip,hip, hurrab!) As to the verdicts of the juries in the case of the Echo, hie proclaim- ed, a8 a lawyer, that no other verdicts could have been obtained gave through the instrumentality of a Northern jury and an abolition Judge. oy. Foore remarked that he would like to meet Judge Bennett on that question in every county in Mississip a ae Juege chivalrously declared that he accepted cbailenge. The moiion to postpone waa carried, and the Convention adjourned to Wednesday mornwmg. ‘The first business hour of the Convention was taken up this morning by a delegate from Memphis, who read tho correspoadence to which I have rferred in a previous letter, between Me, Boach Spencer, of Belgium, and Mr. Baugh, the mayor of Memphis, in regard to the eatabliah- ment of a line of steamers between Ghent and Memphis, together with the special messsge of the Intter to the C mmon Council and the resolutions ed jee by that body, The delegate introduced a series of reso‘utions, which were referred withont debate to the Committee on Kesolutiens— one recommending the cities of Memphis, Vicksburg, Napoieon, Baton Rouge and others to prepare suitable reception for the experimental steamer that may be expected from Ghent next November, and an- other declaring the Mississippi river to be an inland gea, and therefore that it is iacumbent on the general go- vernment (© remove all obstructions to navigation. A resolution, tho same in effect as the last, was also offered by Mr. Coleman, of Louigiana, aod similarly referred. A Another resolution, recommending to both the potitical | parties of the South the abandonment of their present party organizations, and that vo other conventions, either Slate or national, be heid by either, was offered by Mr. Brooke, of Miesiesippi, but laid on the table THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. Vicksucra, May 11, 1859. ‘The first business done this morning was the preseata- tion of the report of the Committee cu Resolutions, mado by Mr. W. H. Johnson, of Mistissippi, That report re- cominended the adoption of the following resolutions:— Rerolved, Mhat tn the opicion of thls Convention all iaws, Ftate or fodersl, probloiting the African aluve trade, ought 19 | amble and resotut! elt hurt by the | ents, to keep silent for the | ! qnistion to him, but Foote | Jodge Jones, of Georgia, presented the following pre- m, which were referred to the Com- mittee on Redolutiovs:. Whereas, the constitution was ordained to estabiish justice and w secure the blessings of Mverty to us and vue posterity: And whereas, ie system of collectiog revenwte by dullss on hnpovie i@ ueeqasl and unjost between the two sactiona of the ion, sud between the rich and the poor, and tends to that sni est corruption of the government wbich has always ed the grave of freedom: wherees, the ‘aril’ syatem, combined with the manner tures of the federal ‘government, har operated, net operate, to the destruction of Soutuerm commerce) he injury of #1 commerce; therefore, Tht the tant syatem ought t>' be abotisher, and ied to support the government by direct taxes. Minority reports were made by Mr. J.C Hampbreys, of Mistissippi, and Mr. Delafield, of Tennessee. Taat of Mr. Hompbreys ig as follows: — Thal the true queation for our consideration is, uot whether the African, labor Supply ought t» be opened, but how It ean be legsliy opened | ‘bat there are now four parties proposing four distinct methode for opening the anpply; aud question bat method wil be most prompt and practizal? "The re 8 propoeo & repeal ot the United States slave trade acts. Er pore by State action, to annul ihoae acte, be i unconaittutionality. ‘The readjudicatora pro- | sto onde to prozure We the United tates Sa, pre a reconsideration and readjudication of the alave tence acta alleged te be ut conatity'ionxi. i the proprersive Sate rights mea teke the ground thit ihe repeal fs impracticable, because requiring the comseat of the Southern and some of tha Northern otates But even the Soutbern | ta'es, ae this minority thinks, cannot practically be $n opinton in favcr of repeal, because the ia States wi!l naturally be againat the and if some Southern Sistos will not be in ‘avor of the repeal, how cau some North: pected to faxor it?" again, the democratic party, with a plat. form victnally neutral om the subject of elavery, is now barcly fuccesaful against the Dlack republicans, How than can the democratie party with a platform fu favor of oprning the slave trsde he practically expected to anccead? Resoal, therctore, mey be properly deemed impracticable, So. tod. mullidica: tion snd readjutizstion may bedeemed impracticable The only method fer a prompt avd practical supply of Afri jabor Is the apprentice aystem. Nothing but a fair oram is challenged in ita bebulf, Indeed, your reporter is of ‘bat (be system ougat not to be hastily adopted, bat al: earinge and consequences ovgtt % be duly underatosd be- fue legiaiatt a. ‘he legality of the apprentice system fa fncontroverdhle, ‘The jred Routt Cecision ts the basis of the lagailty, The only GiMlenlt question 's the future status of the apprentices after the Expiration of their terms of wervion. ‘To salve the didicalty we boidiy propose that our iabor acetem abull progress a) a8 13 bey aftertwenty years. regionally ff from the labor system. contemplated ard reprovaied by the conititu'ion To elevate ibe apprentices tnt *vercacteei¢en; or oum ayatem aa ft shall be stir sterm and progreta ot twenty sears, will, in the beat fv1.b bea violuticn of neither the letier nor apicit ‘of the con autovion, or the lawa\in purquance of It, becates the consiite. jon cannot firbld what it never contemplated, andi: never ated x radical progress of our labor syatem.. The minority report of Mr, Delafield was as follows: —« Rerolved, That without further discussion of the merits of the au iject it ta ine» pedtert to (ake any action on it attaie Une, oy ES nican labor anppl and exsacts ly fn this Couyextlon, for two reason 2 Thot itt ntopten and \mpractcable to expect to obtein from Conprese ans repeal of the law, especialy whea a ma- jority of dl ern States themeelves bave re enacted equal- Jy su ingens jaweon the subject. § Abat thie topic insy be coactened as {he creation of new pollticn! teres ior future party politica—an objest hellaved to be ters ek) the legitimate purposes for which this Convention, 4 aeecmbled. ‘The report is before the Conyention for action. A pro- position limiting Celegates to half hour speeches was made, bot subsequently withdrawn. ir. Dk Bow then took the floor, and resumed the course of remark ia which ko bad heen proseeding when he yielded Ube floor yueterdey evening, A to tuo question digusion, be ‘raid that if the Union should become at avy time inconsistent with the purposes for which it was cetublished—if it nacessarity cramped (as be did not hero argue) Southern energy, destroy Sout industry and Gitmin'sh Southern wealth—then it would be, at least, a ‘egitimate inquiry whether there was uot some othor erpmevt better adapted to their condition, The gen- n from Sistiesippi (Mr Moody, of Clairborns) had fnid that Go would pot permit the Union to be dissoived. (tr. De Bow) Urought ft might be impious to say what <fovah would or would not permit. They Dat there wes & God of battles as woll ag a (Applanse,) He would 13 Mies’erippt that that declaration was not the cet, for ff it were to go. beyond the liao of Ma- on it must encourage the North to cootiauc ther gerersion. He thought it beiter to say to thom, with sue of Cromwel’e gonerate—porhaps Cromwell himeeif— ‘Pot your trust in God, but keep your powder dey,” (Appiaese.) ae epithet of traitor had eon ayplied to men in thie Convention; but he bad learned to caro Hittly fest or | epeakers to haif en for such epithets. The Palinurus of the South (alludi to Jeo, C, Calhoun) was branded as a traitor fa his time; but even now in bis grave he was more deeply to ‘be envied than those who were disposed to cast that slur vpou him. He lives iu history :-— ‘Tho meanest rill. the mi ghtient river, Flows anloging with als ewe forever. Mr. De Bow was willing to advocate the repeal of the laws prohibiting the slave trade, without deeming it ne- ceesary toargue the propriety of reoponing that trade. Perhaps it might be proper, or, porkee, it might not be proper. It was a question iit to be lett to the them- selves. The subject was a legitimate one for discussion. Great changes and revolutions im public opinion were uet uncommon, Such a change 18 a8 probable with wo tho slave trade as with regard to slavery itself, whioh the opposition on this floor asserted had taken piace through out the North, though he regretted he had not beeu able to discover !t. He had descended from men, in both. lines, who bad braved their breasts ta the revolutionary struggles, and valued too much the liberties they be- queathed to be willing to surrender them tothe North more than to Great Britain. Iu times that were passed, he bad traced out the glorious progress of the republic in everything that constitutes moral ess, and had been proud of the privi ef doing eo, and of = nouncidg evlogiums upon her as contrasted with other Pations of the earth, Proudly he had claimed the name of American citizen. If the South, under the altered State of things, shall, by her adhesion the Union, require services of a similar character, though it may be im- Poeeible to grant them, he might not after all prove woree citizen than those who proclaim tae duty of uacon- ditional obedience and the divine rights of government. ‘Whalet the government exists, fealty and duty are to it, even aa Sir Mathew Halo justified himself in serv: the cause of the Protector. In nothing that has adv: he true glory, and houor and power of the Fepublic have union, fallen eternal submirsion. Mr. DeBow did not long occupy the attention of the Coa- vention. He gave way, and then the great feature of the morning seesion—the expected speech of ex-Senator Foote, of Mississippi—came on, Many citizens, not members of the Convention, were drawn to the ball by the desire to hear bim speak, and several ladios were aleo Mr. Foote took etand at the table on the platform, spreading before bimyeeveral pages of manuscript, which be bad made of the speech of Mr. Spraut, South Carolina (to which he intended to reply), ke pro- ceeded as follows :— EX-SENATOR POOTR'S SPEECH. A paver occasion than the present one cannot well be ined to arise among a peopie. for apy man to bave an opportunity of being heard to utter his conseientious convictions on such questions ag now occupy the mind of this assembly at such a moment in the history of the republic. A man of the highest powers of intellect might well lament bis incapacity to meet the extraordinary exigency of the mo ment, and to deal successfully aud wisely with complicated and truly exciting questions which at the — momeut engage the popular mind of the South aad It is, I ageure you, with no affected modesty that [ acknowledge, painfully acknowleoge, my own com scousuess of not being ready, of not being prepared, thus suddenly called upon, to discuss eae question before you in the manner worthy of the audience and in harmo- by with the dignity of the subjects involved. I sball en- deavor, calmly, patiently, and—if Ican do so—methodi- cally, to ture my attention, and to invite your attention te the mest prominent of those topics that baye been dis- . cussed in your heariug for the last two days, of my own friends to withhold any tokens of applause. I need them not, and they would interrupt the course of depate. It has always struck me tbat the hi compliment a speaker can possibly receive from an audience is that of profound silence while he addresses tkem. I congratulate myself, Mr. President, that a very extreordipary proposition. which was made this morning, has been voted down. (I'mean the proposition to restriet ne) Had it been it would appear to the whole American people as if a do- mipant mojority eo body, baving diacussed @ subject on their side, bad dreaded the efiect of an honest reply. I shall endeavor not to be tedious, but I hope to be in- duiged in that freedom of remark, consisient with all the courtesies of debate, which the occasion demands and the stato of the country requiries. I told you last evening that I was no partizan. belong to no political party un- der the sun, I do not know one under tho sun that would ‘be willing to claim me. (Lavgbter.) I ask the sympa- thies of no regular pertizan on carth. However others may feel, I rejoice in being entirely free from E on of § trammels, I thank God that I am allowed to thi for myself, to act for myself, fo feel like a free. man entitled to exorcize the “highest faculties of bumen nature on such questions as may address thom- selves to my mind, without apy maa having a right to call me in question. ut 1 can not only declare opinions, but act racers, age may own judgment, and to conecience which, under the direction of the shail ever control my actions. Therefore, what I say be uncerstood not ag ultered ina partizau sense or with Partisan intentions. I care very little for such parties ag bow exist. I know they are epheme: Ikoow they are not founded Fra re ae know it. Theirs is a mere struggle for Spoils—a poor, vulgar, contemp- Lible stroggle, for the spoils | 1 ever bad avy appotite for such a contest. Laughter.) I uever had a taste for it. Iabbor such a conteat, I recoil from it in- stinctively with horror. I care not what the drawling striplings of the press or otbers may choose to say for the entertainment of their readers, in regard to me or By course of conduct. 1 intend to speak truth, honestly and boldly, too, and I iatend to utter nothiag that I cauno} maintein by evidence. If 1 am able to maintain the posi. tion which I assure, then i expect my country mea, with- out repard to party—not such aa are tied down to party Dondege, but thoee who are moderately free from party thra!dom—to approve, to come extont, tho humble sug- gestions that may fallfrom my lips. It is proposed to this body, and through this body to the Southern people geao- rally, to open the African slave trade; and there are twe modes suggested. One is the apprentice system, and the other is the importation of Africans for the purposs of holding them here in bondage. I shali not discuss the ap- prentice eyetem; I shail only allude to it rumningly. It is fuflicient for me to know that that systera (as tus geatle- men from South Carolina, Mr. Spratt, vary correctly stated yesterday) is as strongly and clearly and umequivo- cally forbidden by the laws of the Union as the other system, In other words, ‘the importation of psrsoas held to service”? from abroad, is expressiy prohibited under heavy penaltice, and has been paobibiled for more than forty years, The courts of the couatry rave onforece the law, and there never bas been but one opinion among Is@yers and jurists as to the meaain of it. I suggested yesterday to my friend (sf, Moody) that the apprenticeship system was at variance with the laws of Missiesippl, and I asked him whether these persons to be brought in as apprentices, would be, in his Jndg nent, bond or free—would they be freemen o: eat 1 was not answered satisfactorily. They must be eithor slaves or freemen. I know of no middie condition. Now, if they are brought in as slaves, of course all admit that tne present jaws forbid their importation. If they are brought in as freemen, then the statutes of Miestsaippi for. bid their being brougbt here, under beavy penalties. The importation of free persone of color ts expressly forbiddan by the plain statute that is lying there on the table, and with which every inte! geot man hereisfamiliar, There. fore, as I guid yesterday, it is better for us to correct the condition of our own ‘honsehold befora we apply to the general government to do so. Bat again, my friends, £ Would like to know what would become of these ap. Prentices after their contracts had been served out? If iifly er u hundred, or two hundred thousaad of these free nogrocé—demi savages frum Africa—chose to disturb the quiet of our community, they would bring upon us afl those desolating evils which we had hoped to have guard- Cd against by the wieo legisiation to wh'ch Ihave retorred, end which absolutely prevent the entrance of free persons of color from abroad, within the Limits oF this State or Confederacy. again, what would become of their pos- terity? Would they not be free? I suppose 60, ‘Tho gentleman (Mr. Moody) said yesterday, a father can bind his ebiid by contract. Not toslavery, [tnink. Butsuppose be could brad bim to that sort of servitude spoken of, could n father, ten years before his child was born, make Any euch bargain that woula be ellyctcai? [think not, I Put these points for the parpose of exploding a theory which is vot entitled to any respect at all, however re- spectable ie author mey be. The apprentice system, im my opinion, has vanished into thin air. It never had soltd ground on which to rest among rational creaturos, * * © and now to the questions which come up ia the Speech of the gentieman from South Carolina (ifr. Spratt ) These, Mr. President, are extraordinary resolu. ons. Heeolved. That slavery fa right, and belng ri no wrong in the nataral means t6 tm formation cere C8 OB Now, Lundertake to say that for the last two thousand years such o proposition has never originated befere wmobg rational creatures, “Resolved that elavery ig right.’” Uncerstand now, It fs not ‘African” slavery, See how incautious gentlemen are in their expressions. See how they put it in the power of our enemies elsewhere to deride and ridicule us. I caapot resolve aay such thing. T lovg since reselved that freedom wasright—that liberty was the most priveless giftthat God ever bequeath- ed to wan. Tthongbt that our forefathers bad coatended floriously to obtain the freedom of this country, I reoo!- cot that General Washington onee, in reply to the French Minister, took particular pains,’ in opening his ad- drees, in tho language of gracefal exuitation, with theze words, “Born, sir, in a land of iiberty.? This gentieman would have had Geo. Washington, I eup- pote, feel deep mortification in being compelied to’ make auch a copfvesion, and would bave had him say, if the thing were consistent with teuih, “I have had the honor, tir, to be horn ina laud of siavery, because slavery is right.” Well— Resolved, Yhat slavery ia right, and that, being right, the means to i's formas vipat erat . oe phd Now what are the meaus to the formation of slavery? Ido not think, by-the-bye, that that is very sonsible pbraseoogy. {do not tnimk there is such a thing at all as the forination of slavery. Thore is such a thing as the estab isbment of slavery by law and by other meaus, but the “formation of slavery”? is an expression which does not atrike mens being capable of any rational explauation, Now, Mr. President, the whole subject is open before us, Some gentlemen say it is quite practicable to open the Slave trade My frieed DeRow, to whom T always allude with 6) respect ond kindnees, does not hesitate to say that in his jodgment the agitation now commencing on this question may, if energetically kept up, have the ef fect of revolutiutzing the Northern miad ‘and inducing them to conrent by Congressional enactment to the open: ing of the love trade, He says that that isno greater revoluticn in the public mind than has been effect Mr. DsBow—I Fpoke of it as having been assorted to be éflected. 1 do not know thnt it has been effected. Mr. Foore—Well, 1 am prepared to prove it. The South- ern addrets on the table asteris the fact, that the mind of the North te at the presevttitne in ouch @ condition as not to be hostile to slavery, except on one ground, to wit:that they desire to obeck the supremacy of the South, limit the politics! power of this section with @ gent'enisn—a very Gamaliel to certain political sainis, who tok a trip to New England last summer—a man Of very sagacious inteiect, of great acutenets of mind, of much cloceness of observation, and who, for weeks and ronthe, eqjourned in the borom of New Rogland nciety, iu the midst of the abolition forces of New Bag- land. He gid wot besitate to praive them to their faces ia tenguepo of extravagant commendation, which, perhaps, men of commewhat celicate taste in our own section would Lave reoo led from. Not only that; but when he came to hia own Lome, be proclaimed fn the capital of the State aud heze shat the Whole bu'k of Northera democracy bad be~ come 8 thoroughly enlightened on the subject of domon- ery that there was no longer any fanatic hoatiity North to that system; that the whole body of deme