The Camden Journal

Richmond (Va.) Republican
Correspondence of the Charleston Courier.

Washington, January 11, 1850.

The discussion of the slavery question has commenced in the Senate in good earnest. It arose on a motion to print the Vermont anti-slavery resolutions. The whole of yesterday was occupied with the discussion, and it will be resumed on Monday. Every view, connected with the topic, has already been presented. A dissolution of the Union was more decidedly indicated, in the speeches of Mr. Clemens, Mr. Butler, and Mr. Davis of Mississippi, than it has ever been before. Mr. Clemens is a young Senator from Alabama, and is full of fire and energy. He spoke with burning eloquence upon the subject of Southern rights, and Southern wrongs. He declared the Union was dissolved already, by the legislative action of the North, prohibiting the arrest and recovery of fugitive slaves. He said it was the policy of the North, as he had understood, to bring forward but one question at a time. They now urged upon us the prohibition of slavery in the territories. Gaining that point, they would next demand the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and at forts, dock-yards and arsenals, where the United States has jurisdiction. Next, they would abolish slavery between the States. Then, they would come into the States, and emancipate the slaves there. No one at the South talked of submission, the South had now drawn a line, and pass it, said he, if you dare. He called upon the Northern Senators to carry out their instructions. In the words of a member of the other House, he called upon them to stand up and "face the music." The South was desirous of meeting the question now, but he perceived that Northern Senators intended to dodge it. Mr. Butler, in his earnest remarks, dwelt upon the fact that the South had sustained every proposition of a compromise of this question, and was, at one time, willing to adjust it in any way, in which she could save her honor.

Mr. Chase, the Free Soil Senator from Ohio made a long speech, in which he declared that his purposes would be satisfied, by the exclusion of slavery in places where the United States had jurisdiction, and that the free Democracy of the North, to which he belonged, would be satisfied with nothing short of that.

The Legislature of Maryland will undoubtedly pass resolutions, fully sustaining the rights and interests of the South. Gov. Crittenden, in his message to the Legislature, takes such a course on this subject, as to give great satisfaction to the friends of conciliation and union.

The north western States, judging from the tone of their presses, are more decidedly opposed to the extension of slavery, than any other portion of the country.

The prevailing opinion, among the northern men, at present, is, that California will be admitted as a State, at this session, and with her self imposed restriction of slavery; and no other measure as to the territories will pass. Congress will let New Mexico and Deseret alone. The delegate, sent by Deseret will not be admitted to a seat. The Senate has been several times in executive session, but has not yet acted upon any nominations. The administration and its policy are lost sight of, in the excitement produced by the agitation of the slavery question, and in the embarrassment of the House caused by their inability to complete their organization to elect a clerk. The Committees of the House are idle, having no business before them.