The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-30

gard 10 the CFl55 Oh tLc anu tlty pre-
pared to act most undcrstandingly and energeti-
cally in regard to 1T.
We have done our part in giving to the public
all the light the great subject before them,
which we were enabled to do. But we have not
felt greater pleasure than in furnishing our read
ers with the views of the pure and able man whom
to know is respect and TO honor of course
the gentleman whose letter the great subject of
the day we subjoin. MIR. JENKINS, in reply to
invitation to meet his fellow citzens of Columbia,
addressed them the following letter, in which he
places the subject before the people in its true light,
and with a perspicuity and force which must be
felt, if not acknowledged, by every one. We
need not commend it to readers, nor express
the pleasure with which substitute his able
gument for the space might ourselves feel dis
posed to occupy in urging our own views at this
interesting crisis Of our State, upon readers
and the country.
AUGUSTA October It'll, 1850.
GENTLEMEN: Your letter OF invitation to a din
ner in honor of our distinguished Representative
in Congress, has been received. AS cannot con
veniently be present, ! checrfuy comply with
your request that would communicate my views
upon the absorbin topic of the day in writing"
This topic has long engaged the public mind;
but with us it has recently assumed a new phase.
The question is not now, what will the Congress Of
the Unltcu State5 uO--lt DiMt Si,uu Sfu 40!
Her people arc soon to meet in convention, at the
bidding of her Legislature, ''t0 take into consider
alton the mode and measure Of redress for supposed
grievances. The character of this asscmbage, and
the oreshadowng OF its purpose, indicate that its
projectors anticipated results unattainable by the
ordinary operations Of the Government. 1t then
becomes the duty of every citizen OF Georgia to re-
fleet profoundly upon the alleged grievances and
the proposed remedies. 1t would be questioning
the intelligence and patriotism Of the General As
semby, to seek for causes Of complaint beyond the
purview of the act which called the convention
into being. What those anticipated grievances;
to what extent have they been realized-do they
require any, and what extraordinary State inter
position!
lst. The passage by Congress "of any law pro-
hibiting slavery or involuntary servltude IN any
Territory of the United States.'
Now, had Congress passed such law, it would
have been but the repetition of former acts, which
at first produced neither violent commotion, nor
distinct and general expression of popular discen
tent. But having the sanction of precedent, they
preferred departure from il, to deliberate disre
gard of southern circumstances. They have passed
no such law.
ID The passage by the same body of s'any law
abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia -
This proposed, and rejected by overwhelming
majorties.
Sd. The passage by the same body of 'any law
prohibiting the slave trade between the States where
slavery may exist" No such legislation has oc-
Cured.
4th Satisfactory evidence received by "the Gov
ernOr OF lII5 state, OF slave or slaves naVln q
escaped from this to any notwithstanding State,
and that such slave slaves is refused To be
given up to the proper owner by the authorities OF
the State in which such fugitvcs may be found"
This contingency not expected to grow out
Of Congressional action. But Congress, desirin 2
TO remove this cause of discomfort, have passed an
act for the recovery of fugitive slaves, framed by
southern Senators, not In accordance with the sup
posed dispositions of reluctant legislation but re-
sponsve to the exacting demands of Shareholders,
plainly set forth by Georgia and Virginia III this
law fail 10 accomplish the object, the is to be
sought, not in the indclity of northern legislation
TO the acquisitions of the Constitution, but either
the intrinsic difficulties of the subject, in the
want Of forecast in southern statesmen. Its failure
of will but furnish another proof that fal-
bic law givers are sometimes overreached by cum
ming, depravcd, law breakers. He who doubts that
this act passed in good faith, TO accomplish he
object in view, shows himself caviling macon-
tent, astute in seeking cause Of quarrel.
Pausing moment at this point in Assem-
bly's enumeration OF anticipated Southern wrongs,
demanding redress, ] remark that thus far, had
the whole South constituted that memorable body's
sole guardian authoritative expoundcr of South
rights, the Congress of the United States could
not have paid greater Difference to its avowed ulti
matum Up TO this point all has been concessionj
not the concession of any thing which the South
had right TO demand, (or this she should
scorn 10 ask,) but concession 10 righttA demands
,chose denial anticipated. If in regard to any
all of these four specifications, any member Of
| the majority Of our Legislature should say, Gas
many do say) "enough has not been conceded, y
| the answer is, "then, with all your enlightened
forecast and fiery ZEAL you did NOT demand enough
| j make no such charge. The reproach Of any
such there be- is the rccoil OF their continued
muttcrings of discomfort.
s. But one Of the enumerated grievances has been
pcrpetrated. Congress, despite this solemn warn
ing, has admitted California into the Union "with
her sparsely peoplcd territory"
II will probably be conceded. that the right still
remains TO the sovereign people of Georgia, to in
H.,
| southern rights.
Now there is but one feature in the case that in
wolves, hi any degree, southern interests, NJ con-
| tradistinguishod from northern interests. That
feature is the anti slavery clause in the constitution
of California, and IL is quite remarkable, that they
| who framed, and passed this act Of the Georgia
Legislature, though careful by ts terms 20 indicate
| one objection TO her admission, make not the
slightest allusion 10 the prohibition Of slavery
| They put prominently forward The sarseness Of
! her population, but not word do read about
| her hostility to slavery. Whence THE omission
| Probably the Missouri controversy, when the
North objected to the admission Of that State into
the Union because Of the pro slavery clause in her
constitution, and the South ind gnantly denounced
| this oflicious ntermcddng, too fresh and
| green in their memories. Perhaps they were
| restrained by Mr.. Cahoun's resolutions, nf.
| hrming that upon. the application Of the in
| habitant5 of any Territory Of the United States
! for admission into the Union, Congress had no au-
thority for looking further into their constitution
! than 10 ascertain it, republican character. BE
that ~ il may, one will have the hardihood 70
deny that IL is n cardinal article in the southern
creed, and that the establishment or prohibition Of
| slavery, in State of this Union, Belongs exclu-
sivcy to those entitled to participate in the orma-
| ton or alteration Of her constitution. Was tho
South wrong in claiming for Missouri this prcrog.
alive when she stood knocking at the door Of the
| Capitol for admission If not then is tho North
| wrong in claiming, to-day, the same prcrogative
| for California; Apart from this question, there
were cogent reasons for and against her admission
Her circumstances were very peculiar-the attrac-
tons to her territory produced rosuts unparalleled
| in the history of emigration. Multitudes daily
thronging TO her mines, in search of the precious
metals, and 10 her seapOrts to engage In com
| mercc-an exciting internal and external trsf-
| nc suddenly sPringing up and daily increasing
| within her borders, required the regulating hand
| of government.
Yet Congress had provided her no territorial Co-
! vernment, and che had good cause 20 apprchcnd
indefinite postponomcnt. These considcra tions ma
go far TO free her from the reproach Of hot haste
in claiming the privileges Of the sisterhood. Yet
no can be blind TO the manifold and serious OBJ
jections TO her admission, n measwe of frDcdi.
ency. Whilst, therefore. n national legislator
weighing carefully these opposing considerations,
might have felt constrained TO vote against her ad
mission; as representative Of southern interests
never could have placed her rejection upon the
ND G tha anti ala 81.