The southern press., 1850-11-07
Georgia Sentiment.

SSOi6ia 0SAllA&lOAt.
The letters which we subjoin-from dis
tinguished Georgians--were written in reply to
an invitation to public dinner given at St
Helena (S. Co. to Senator BARNwELL and Hon.
w. f. CoLcocK: a'
Letter from Cor. Lunptin. =.
ATHENS, Oct 20, l845. q
GENTLEMEN: ! thank you and your fellow
citizens of Beaufort, for the friendly invitation
Us well as the kind terms in which il is con-
veyed, soliciting me to mingle in the counsels
OF South Carolinians, on this day, in the town
of Beaufort, on such an occasion as that which
brings you together. But by some means, your
communication has been delayed, till yesterday
therefore laying aside other considerations, it is
not practicable for me to be with you.
Allow me, however, to say, that feel assured
Of the pleasure and benefit should derive from
a more intimate knowledge and acquaintance OF
u people already endeared to me, from many re-
collections of the past. Gross ignorance, or a
want OF patriotism, can alone induce any South.
ern man, at this time, to cry peace! peace! all is
well under the existing state of public affairs
Yet, a large majority of the otfice-hoders and
offce-seekers, OF my own beloved Georgia, both
Wings and Democrats, are closely united in q
lieve that they have no just cause of complaint
from any act, OF any branch, of the Federal Gov
ernment, connected with the slave question, OF
our territorial rights during the late session OF
Congress. Indeed, a majority of our Congress.
men are, at this time travelling over the State
addressing public meetings, gotten up for the
purpose They assure the people that theil
constitutional rights have not been violated, and
that the several measures adopted by Congress
are highly honorable to the South, and, there.
fore, ought to be satisfactory to the people. These
men and their trained bands of partizans, aided
by their subservient presses are engaged in the
unholy work of perverting the truth and decev,
ing the honest, uniformed portion of the people
do not believe they utter one word of com
plant against their deqr brethren of the North
but have much to say In commentator of the
iberality and patriotism of their Northern friend,
and associates. Those who differ with them are
constantly denounced as Ultraist, Disunionist
Traitors, &c. They inculcate the odious doc.
trine OF absolute submission to the will Of the
majority. ....,. ...............
This state of things alone, has aroused me
from retirement which love and enjoy above
all that the world calls good, or great. i have
had long and large experience in public affairs
| am tired of political strife. am more thar
but, cannot be quiet, and see the South thus
degraded Degraded in our own eyes, and feal
will become a fit object, for the slow, unmoying
finger of scorn to point at, if these spoilsmeT
prevail The South are committed in every
possible form to maintain her rights and do hel
duty, at all hazards to the last extremity" thai
she would not submit to exclusion from the
Mexican territory and kindred measures. And
now our own test is fairly presented to US, by
the North regardless of all our warnings and
the minds of Georgians were made up to meet
the crisis, in the true spirit of brave and patri
otic people. But we now find we have an un.
expected and mighty host to contend with. TIE
leaders of both sections, with their trained bands
of partizans, the whole power and patronage OF
the Federal Government, corrupt and time
serving press, &c. sc. A short time more, and
the die will be- cast. The result will be pub
lshed to the world. The struggle between sci
fshness and patriotism will be decided. The
union of the South, at this time, might possibly
save the Federal Union, nothing else can. l
would, at least save the South. She might live
and prosper, become great and strong Union
of the South, would secure to US justice and
equality 1t might bring the Federal Govern.
ment back to the Constitution.
The character and principles of the Federal
Government, are not well understood by the
great body of the people of the United States
therefore, they yield to its consolidating tenden-
cies. 1t is already despotism of numbers. II
is no longer the agent of the States for specific
purposes, as defined in our constitutional com.
pact. 1t not only assumes the exercise of the
reserved powers of the States, but it has become
a most awfully corrupt Government, Nothing
is left for us but resistance, or submission. We
should study, however, to do whatever may be
right, in right way. have no hope of obtain
ing indemnity for the past, hut must have secu-
rity for the future.
am, very sincerely, gentlemen, truly yours,
WILSON LUMPkIN,
Joseph d. Pope, and others, Committee, &c.