The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-20

Inc appoihNeuN pfspatt anu
for the consideration Of the Convention action ap-
propriate 10 the occasion which they have
sonbled, having carefully considered the papers
referred 10 them, and freely interchangcd opinions,
respectfully submit the following
REPORT:
The people Of Georgia, responding 30 procla-
nation Of their Chief Magistrate, have met in Con
vention for the immediate purpose Of deliberating
upon law enacted by the Congress OF the United
States, entitled can act for the admission of Cali
forna into the Union" Were the action Of this
body limited 90 the consideration Of that act, its
duty would be easily discharged; but a more ex-
tended survey Of Congressional legislation and Of
our Federal position is not only allowable, but
cessary to Just conclusion. We regard the act
under consideration as one in seri.s Of measures
each capable Of an independent existence, but all
directly or indirectly affecting the institution Of
slavery; each deriving from that circumstance Its
cardinal interest, and all in crisis OF fearful i'm
port connected in a scheme OF pacific ad ustment.
Two of the acts in the series had for their object
the organization of territorial governments for por
tions of the vast domain recently acquired from
Mexico. With them the slavery question became
connected by two opposite movements, the one pro
posing to prohibit the other to establish slavery in
those Territories by express enactment, the advo-
Gates of these extreme measures being alike reluc
tant to leave the result dependent upon the future
adjudication of the courts. distinct phase of the
subject presented by the application of the peo-
pie inhabitng of those Territories 10 be admit
ted into the Union u State, under constitution
formed by themselves, in which. for Themselves,
they had assumed the settlement Oh the slavery
question. The acquisition OF this Territory, more
over, had involved the Government OF the United
States in controversy of boundary, pre-existing
between Mexico and the State Of Texas. with which
also the slavery question unhappiy compli-
Gated Thus far, it will be perceived, no one Of
the pending measures was wantonly or gratuitou.ly
obtruded upon the National Legislature for the pur
poses Of agitation They resulted inevitably from
anteoedent measures, in which both the North and
the South were participant.
But the difficulties that embarrassed the action
Of Congress not yet all told. just this cfti-
cal juncture certain Representatives from the
slaveholding States, Inpelled partly by appeals
from the inhabitants Of the District of Columbia
and partly by the promptings of their immediate
constituents, pressed with increasd urgency the
suppression of the slave trade in the District To
this was superadded the proposition, fraugh with
far greater excitement, TO abolish slavery in the
District Furthermore, the people Of the South,
justly excited by the faitbess and long continued
denial OF their constitutional right to the extradi-
ton of fugitive slaves, demanded additional and
efficient legislation upon this vital subject.
This brief but truthful statement of the many
momentous issues, all surcharged with this one
peculiarly exciting element, and crowded into a
single session of Congress, and bare reference
10 the alarming agitation which, springing up in
protracted debate, extended beyond the halls of
Legislation, and pervaded the public mind, will
TO indicate the peril of the day, and to sug
gest that the only escape in that spirit OF mu
tual concession, which gave birth TO the Constitu
ton, and which IN times past had adjusted more
! IL is not proposed at this time to reopen the
exhausted argument upon the merits these ques-
tons severally collectively. The result is that
parnsans, occupying extreme local positions in the
country, and holding diametrically opposite opi-
MONS upon the slavery question, in all its phases
have WED with each other in clamorous denuncia-
ton of the settlement IL may well be doubted
hether, upon the broad territory of the Republic,
4 there dwells intelligent citizen, whose judg-
ment approves every part of each link in this :
| tended chain of adjustment. Georgia, at least,
finds in il matter for objection and matter for ap-
prevail
But such is likewise her opinion Of our Federal
and State Constitutions; 90 is she accustomed to
judge of the leading measures Of every Congress,
and every General Assembly, each in It's turn
labors at the difficult problem of periecting human
government through the instrumentaty of imper-
feet and conflicting human reason. IL is not on
this. more than on any other occasion, the part Of
wisdom, Of patriotism, 10 subject legislative acts
under review TO the rigid test OF yielding either the
full measure Of right the full ruition Of antci
pated benefit. The practical questions presented
for consideration are these: May Georgia, consist
emily 'oih her honor abide by the general scheme Of
pacihcatons II she may, then does her interest lie
ia adherence to it, or in resistance brief refer
10 few facts Of recent occurrence will furnish
affirmative answer to the fret and most interest
ing inquiry The people ofGeorgia were fully ap
priced that these great issues pending before
the National Legislature. Their General Assembly
being in session assuming opin
ions, took them into consideration-gave distinct
expression OF thclr own We've and virtually
of the Congress of the United states conformity to
those views Numerous primary assemblies Of the
people passed upon the same questions still in ad
OF the action of Congress, and whilst in many
of these the acquisitions OF the General Assembly
were qualified, in none (it is beeved) were they
enlarged. These movements belong 90 the history
of the controversy; and were intended TO exert an
influence at tho capitol, Whether attributable in
any degree 10 that influence not, the result has
been strict conformity the line Of policy thus in
dicated save in one instance. That il the adj
/ mission Of California into the Union. Upon the
enpedency and unconstitutionsiity Of this measure,
! separately considered, the people Of Georgia are
! divided in opinion. Surely, then, respect for the
opinions Of the other party to the controversy, who
have 30 largely coniormed 10 our views proper
allowance for disagreement among ourselves on the
latter branch Of this question, will enable thos,
who bold the act ine1pcdient and unconstitutiona
to abide by ithonorably and gracefully.
| The proposition that, weighed in the scale of in
tercst, the preponderance is vastly the side o
non-resstance Ia too plain for argument. Thh
act being in its nature unsusceptible Of repeal tn,
only competent measure Of resistance is secession
This would not repair the loss sustained, viz. de
prvaton OF the right TO introduce slavery into Cal
ifornia. But it would subject Georgia, fret the
additional loss of all she bas gained by the scheme
OF adjustment, g. e., the provision made for the re-
clsmation Of fugitive slaves; and, secondly, II
would annihilate forever all the advantages, foreign
and domestic, dcrivsble from her adherence to the
Confederacy. II may not be overlooked that aside
from the issues presented by the late territorial
aCQutslfOns, the position OF thc south upon the
Congregational record is better this day than ever
before.
Georgia. then, will abide by the recent action o
Congress, hercnbcforc referred to, in hopeful rei
that the people Of the non-ssyebolding States
will yield acquiescence IN and faithful adherence u
that entire action. To this course she s impeed by
an earnest desire 10 perpetuate the American Union
| and TO restore the peace and harmony upon which
lie value TO herself 20 her cohfederates and 10
| kind essentially depends
Here, IL n sense Of duty permitted, we woulc
gladly pause but the signs OF the times invite 10
more extended view Of our Federal relations. anC
10 a more distinct avowal Of the position occupy
4 The country requires repose. Vain, utterly vain
are all concessions that fail 10 terminate this
tional controversy. Through our Representative
| in the halls Of Congress we have long combatte,
the aggressive spirit OF Representatives of thc non
slsveholding States Bot the Of this turbiC
| stream lie beyond; they TO be found in th,
midst of their several Constituencies We deem
this an appropriate occasion for the sovereign peo
pie Of Georgia TO commune with the sOyereie r
people Of those States. We would address 10 them
the language Of calm and frank remembrance, ra-
ther than OF defiance or menace. We would recall
them to the faithful discharge Of their duty a. con
fcderates, by an appeal 10 their reason and their