The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-12
From the Macon Journal and Messenger.
UJninn mr. nlSnntOn.


Union or Disunion.
an appeal to the toiss and urt,los Of the South
spt0 l0Us and tcho interested in her institutions
tohO desire TO protect hsmseiuss against pecuiiary
ruin, their country from dish0nor, and The human
family from the miseriss and the disasters that lcoud
result from diss0lutton ot our glorious Union.
The speakers at the recent meeting
moved the veil which had hitherto concealed ths
real purposes Of the leaders who figured in the
Nashville convention. Up to the very day Of the
meeting in question, the advocates Of the conven-
ton denied that its object dsunion. The peo-
pie were told that Georgians did not sympathize
with the sentiments uttered by Mr. Rhett in Charles
ton, and that MIR. r. himself would be requested
to modify his views to suit the latitude.
In the night meetings, however, MIR. Rhett was
left far in the background. Even the Rev. Obadiah
Gibson the pseudo founder of Halcyondae, seemed
to be surcharged with "vilanous saltpetre;" and
the other speakers were violent and so full Of
fight, that the audience were not prepared to hear
patiently even the quasi-diaunon sentiments Of
Mr. Stiles. The issue, then, has been fairly made
The flag Of disunon has been flung upon the breeze.
1t becomes u.s. therefore, to review the issues now
pending between the North and the South.
The probability is, that all the bills which have
passed the Senate Of the United States will also
pass the House of Representatives, without under
going any material change. These bills
l. The bill organizing the Territory of Utah.
tOilto,st the Uilmot prouiso, and with clause pro-
vding that said Territory may hereafter be admit
ted State, toih ciuiout slavery, the people
thereof may determine.
2. The bill prescribing the boundary line be-
tween Texas and New Mexico, and providing for
the appropriation of ten millions of dollars
indemnity to Texas, and for the purpose of aiding
her in the payment of her revolutionary debt.
The pi,in "a territoria1 ept
for New Mexico, also, ,citout the proui,o, and con-
tanning clause, leaving the settlement of the
slavery question to the people when they form
State government.
a. The bill providing for the return Of fugitive
slaves which is very stringent denying the slave
trial by jury, and imposing fine of s 900 upon
every officer who refuses neglects to do his duty;
and further fine Of S 900 upon every person
hindering or preventing the claimant from arrest
ing said fugitives.
s. The bill admitting California with her present
limits and under her present organization.
These bills contain substantially the provisions
embodied in the compromise proposed by Mr.. Clay
in behalf of the Senates Committee of Thirteen.
They have been modified and amended in many
particulars, so as to have become decidedly more
favorable to the South. The bill in regard to the
recovery Of fugitive slaves is particularly favorable
the northern Senators appear have allowed those
from the South to frame the bill just they thought
proper. Southern men, therefore, cannot complain
of the Fugitive Slave bill.
Neither can any reasonable man find fault with
the bills organizing the territorial governments of
Utah and New Mexico. They both repudiate the
Wilmot proviso. They both sanction the favorite
principle of non intervention. They both waive
the exercise of any power on the part OF Congress
to interfere with the question of slavery, and leave
that question to the people themselves, when they
organizing their State governments. Surely
the South has nothing to complain of here.
In regard to the Texan Boundary bill, there may
be some difference of opinion. All must admit,
however, that il is queston which concerns Texas
alone. AS a sovereign State, she has the right
TO cede her territory which Georgia had. Georgia
exercised that right Texas may do SO likewise, il
the terms are agreeable. The resolutions of
nexation embraced the Missouri compromise line,
and fastened the Wilmot proviso all Texan ter
ritory north of go 80. By the Boundary bill in
question, this territory will be taken from under
the operation of the Wlmot proviso, and will be
left open TO the South and to slavery.
This is an important advantage to the South and
Of which our people ought gladly to avail them
selves. The proposed arrangement of this boundary
question is the only way by which slavery ever can
be introduced into the Territory in question fit
is found profitable and adapted to tho climate and
country, il will go there; because the bills, al
present arranged, will reopen the door 10 southern
men, and their property in slaves there will be pro-
tected by the Constitution and laws Of the United
States.
II we are correct in these views and the bills al.
luded to should pass in the form they have been
passed by the Senate il follows that there lie but
of them to which the people Of the South ought &C.
riously to object. California, by the management
of Mr.. Polk and by the force Of circumstances. Ina:
become free STATE. Mr.. Polk sent thither, during
the Mexican war, non slaveholding regiment
who were ordered to be disbanded in the country
mt the close Of the campaign. The object in send
ing that regiment was fully developed by Mr.
Buchanan, in his address to the people Of Berk'
county, Pcnnsy ivania, in lSiS. He then assured
them that California could become sav,
State-that Mr.. Polk had sent thither an anti sls
very regiment, who would form the nucleus of tn,
future population, and secure the asccndency o.
the anti slavery interests" Here the begin
ming Of the evil, and no who has any rcgarc
for truth can deny it,
Immediately after the war was developed th,
golden treasure in the acquired territory. This
was followed by immense influx Of emigrants
principally from the northern and western States
These, added to the anti.slavery regiment which
had been disbsnded, gave overwhelming pre-
ponderance to the opponents Of slavery in Cslifor
mia. Congress, in the moan time-owing to a quar-
rel about the Wilmot provso. gotten up by the Alb
olitonists and Democrats for the purpose Of embsr
raising the new Administration refused L
organize for California a territorial government
Her people left under military rule. The,
were in fact denied the protection and fostering
Of the parent Government.
President Taylor, prompted no doubt by homes
and patriotic motives, but evidently influenced b.
short sighted councillors, advised the formation
State government. convention according
ly called, and State government organized undo
a constitution which covers the whole Of California
and which inhibts slavery. That the proceeding
was irregular and ill-advscd, will deny
That IL was unjust to the South is equally appsr
ent. California, like the tabled Minerva, ush
cred into the world In a state Of full maturity. Sh
demands admission into the Union. A majority Q
Congress are said 10 be determined to welcome he
to the sisterhood OF States.
The question now for the South 10 settle is sim