The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-20
Tho Georgi. Convention and the Union.

The Georgia Conve nti0n and the Union.
The following is the report and resolutions
of the Georgia Convention. called at Milleageville,
in view ofthe passage of the Compromise measures
Of the recent session of Congress. The conven-
ton adjourned on the Nth instant
The committee appointed 10 prepare and report
for the consideration of the convention action an
| propriate to the occasion on which they have as
| sembled, having carefully considered the papers
referred TO them, and freely interchanged opinions
respectfully submit the following
| Ihe people OF Georgia, responding to pro cla-
nation OF their chef magistrate, have met in con-
vention for the immediate purpose OF deiber atng
upon a law enacted by the Congress of the United
States entitled " An for the admission of q ali
fornia into the Union" Were the acnon of this
BODY limited TO the consideration of that act, its
duty would be easily discharged But a more ex-
| tended survey OF CongTe ssional legislation, and
OF our federal position, is not only allowable but
| necessary TO just conclusion. We regard the
act under consideration as one in series Of mea-
sures, each capable of independent existence but
all directly indirectly affecting the institution of
slavery each deriving from that circumstance its
cardinal interest, and all, in crisis of fearful
| import, connected IN scheme OF pacific adjust
ment.
Two Of the acts in the series had for their OBJ
Ject The organization of territorial governments for
| portions OF the vast domain recently acquired from
Mexico. With them the slavery question became
| connected by tive opposite movements, the one
proposing to prohibit the other 10 establish slavery
In those terrtories by express enactment the ad-
vocates OF these extreme measures being alike re-
iuctant TO leave the result dependent upon the fl-
lure aSJudicatlon OF the courts. distinct ph ase
OF the subject was presented by the application of
the people iDhasitiDg of those territories to be
admitted into the Union as State, under con-
stiiutlon formed by themselves, IN which, for
themselves, they had assumed the settlement of
the slavery question. The acquisition Of this ter
ritory, moreover, had involved the government of
rne Unaed States IN controversy of boundary,
Texas, with which also the slavery question was
unhapplly complicated Thus far, il will be per
ceived, no one Of the pending measures was wan
tonly or Rraiui,ousy obtruded anon the national
Legislature for the purposes Of citation. They
resulted inevitably from antecedeat measures in
which both the North aud the South were parti-
cipant.
But the difficulties that embarrassed the action
o. Congress are not yet all told. Jlst at this criti-
cal Juncture certain representatives from the nom
siaveholdlng States, impeied partly by appeals
from the Inhabitants OF the District Of Columbia,
and partly by the promptings of their immediate
constituents. pressed with increased urgency the
suppression of the slave trade in the distinct TO
this was supt radded the proposition, fraught with
FAR greater excitement, 10 abolish slavery in the
District Furthermore, the people of the SOUTH
Justly excited by the fathless and long continued
denial Of their constitutional right TO the extradi-
ton OF fugitive slaves, demanded additional and
efficient legislation upon this vital subject
Tins bnef but trathful statement OF the many
momenious Issues, all surcharged with this one
peculiarly exciting element, ana crowded into a
single session of Congrts S. and bare reference to
the alarming agitation which, sprng ing up IA pro-
Iacted debate, extended hey ond the halls If lseis-
laion, and pervaded the public mind will serve 10
indicate the peri OF the day, and 10 suggest that
the only escape was IN that spirit OF mutual con-
cession which gave birth 10 the Constitution, nd
which in times past had jasted more than oae
controversy threatening dissolution.
Ii is not proposed, at this time, to re- open the
exhausted argument, upon the merits OF these
questions, seyeraly or collectively. The result is,
that paitizans occupying extreme local positions ia
the country, and holding Numerically opposite
opinions upon the slavery question, in all its phases,
have Wed with each other IN clanlogous dcuuncia-
ton OF the tile ment. IL may well be doubted
whether, upon the broad territory 81 the r-r--a--
there dwells an intelligent citizen whose j1sgmrnt
approves every part of each link in this extended
chain OF adjustment. Georgia, at least finds in
II matter for objection ind matter for approval
But such is lkewise her opinion Of cur frde
raj and State constitutions; TO is she accustom-
ed 10 judge OF the aiding measures OF every
CoDgItss and every general Assembly, each,
in It's Turn, labors the difficult problem OF per-
fecting human government, through the inslru-
mentality Of imperfect snd conflicting human
reason. IL is not ON this, more than On any
other OCT aston, the part OF wisdom, or OF pa
tiotsm, To subject legislative acts under review
10 the rigid test of yielding either the full mea-
sure Of right, or the full rmtion o. anticipated
benefit. The practical questions presented for
consideration are these May Georgia, consist
entity with her honor, abide by the general
scheme Of pacitlcaIion II she may, then does her
interest lac IA adherence 20 n, Ia resistancel A
brief reference To few facts of recent occurrence
will furnish an affirmative answer 10 the FIRST and
most interesting inquiry. The people Of Georgia
were fully aIprised that these great issues were
pendngy before the national legislature. Their
General Assembly, being IN session, and assuming
To represent their opinions, took them into cCnside
ration-tave a distinct expression Of their own
views, and virtually required Of the Congress Of
the United States conformity 10 those views. MI
merous primary assemblies of the people, passed
s. Iapu a. ia IflNt nlI h.
action OF Congress, and whilst, in nany Of these,
the acquisitions of the General Assembly were qua
hted, m none, (lt Is bei,eycd) were they enlarged
These movements belong to ihe history OF the con-
tfoveTsy, ana were intended 10 exert an influence
nj the cspisl Whether attributable IN any degree
to that influence or not, the result has bssn strict
conformity 10 the line OF policy thus indicated save
in instance. That one 10 the bdnis sion of Ca
hiOrnia into the Union. Upon the xpediency Of
this measure, separately CCafidcled, the people of
Georgia ere, Ia tome measure, divided IN opinion;
upon the grayer question OF its constitutI0naiity,
stli more Surely, then, respect for the Opln-
ions Of the other parry 10 the controversy, who
have so largely conformed 10 our views, proper
allowance for disagreement among ourselves on
the latter branch OF this question, Will enable
those who bold the act Iaexptdient and unconatl-
tutional, 10 abide by IL honorable and gracefully.
The proposition, that, weighed 10 the scale Of
interest," the pT ponderance Il vastly on the side of
non resistance, is too plain for argument. This
act be- ing Ia lis nature spuhlc OF regeel the
only competent measure Of resistance - secession.
This would not repair the loss sustained, VIZ; de-
prNatcn OF The right to introduce slavery into Cal
lf,rnia. Bui 10 would subject Georgia, first, % the
additional Ices Of all she has Tsined by the scheme
VI adjustment, .. e., the provision made for the
Tecls nation Of Fugitive slaves; Gud secondly, u
would sunihiiatc forever, all the edvantagea for
eiRn and domestic, cerivable from her adherence
TO the conieceracy. IL may not be overlooked,
that. aside from The rev issues presented BY the
late territorial Acquisitions, the position OF the
South upon the Congressional recsrd, IL better
this day, than ever before.
Georgia, then, will abide by the recent action Of
Conertss, herein before referred to- in hopeful re-
lance that the people Of the nOn-sldve10tinE
States will yield acquiesence IN. and faithful adj
herence 10, thst entire action. To this course che
n impelled by an earnest desire ~ perreiulte the
Anne fiCan Union, end TO restore that peace aud
harmony upon which its value TO herself, TO her
conlsd,rates, and 10 mankind, essentially dependB
LIZ. r......l.Lod ......ll