The southern press., 1850-09-09
Letter of the Hon. WHsoN LUMPKINs, in re-
ply to an invitation to attend the Mass Meeting
ut Macon. "

GEN-LEMEN:-I regret. that ] shall not be able
to meet the friends "Southern Rights, the pro-
posed mass meeting TO be held in Macon, on the Odd
inst. | duly appreciate your kind invitation TO
me, to partip ipate in such meeting. Were
present, ! should say to the eople, be not decei-
we'd, by the sophistry of selfish politicians and
ofice-seekers. The Federal Union, unless the
South speedily rally and maintain her consttu-
tional rights is gone. Every department OF the
Federal Government, is already under the ahso-
lutte control of the enemies of our slave institutions.
In Congress, it is true, we still have few, able
and faithful defenders of Southern rights, but a
portion of our own Southern Representatives, are
obviously under the influence and control of those
who are hostile to our domestic Institutions of
slavery. Moreover, they have become the aiders
and abettors, ofcompromisng our vital rights and
interests to most degrading and humiatng ex-
tent. In this light, am forced to view all such 4,
as advocate the Clay Compromise bill.
Taking into view the state of the country, and
Of public feeling, which existed at the time Of the
action OF the Nashville Convention, am forced
TO consider the actions and doings of that body,
,cise and patrotic. Therefore, have cordially IA
vored the ratification of their proceedings, by the
people in their primary assemblies, did for time
indulge the hope, that general rally Of the South
would be made Oh the old Missouri Compromise
line. For all sensible men know, that the union
of the South, would save the Federal Union, and
secure to the South her constitutional rights. But
spoiIs of party strife, and party prejudices, will
not let the people do right, if they can by any de-
vice prevent it, A great and concerted effort has
been made at various points in our State, all at the
same moment, MS it were, to draw the people off :,
from raI!ying on the Nashville Convention, and to
bring them into the ranks of the United States
Senate Committee of Thirteen. If this could be
effected, have no doubt the political schemers at
Washington, have another electioneering Presi-
DENTAL canvass, already sketched out, by which
the South is to be remunerated, for her entire loss
Of the whole Mexican territory, by some few of
her favorIte compromising sons, occupying few
Of the high Offices of the Federal Government
Yes, fellow-ctiZens, these are the proposed re-
wards for our submission and degradation.
| deem it useless for me on the present occasion,
to reiterate the many insurmountable and valid
objections, which have been presented to the pub
lie, in various forms, against Mr.. Clay's Ad Just
ment Bill, Suffice it to say, Messrs. Clay, Web
ster, and others have conclusivey shown, in their
speeches made in the Senate Of the United States
that their plan secures the substances Of all that
the North seeks, that is the exclusion Of slavery
from the whole Of the Mexican Territory, as well
as large portion of Texas, and that the South is
rewarded by Withholding the Wilmot Provlso,
against which she had raised her political voice,
and receiving in lieu thereof, General Lewis Cass
non-intervention thunder, which was stolen by
General Taylor, and applied to California, in the
formation of her Stare Government, and adms-
sion as a sovereign State into the Union.
Now, fellow citizens, to my mind this is worse
than jumping ont Of the frying pan into the fire.
Because under the Wilmot Proviso, the consun,-
nation Of evil and destruction to US, would have
been postponed for short time. Moreover, the
Wmot Proviso, is "a bold, open, and manly ag-
gresson on our rights, a measure which every
plain man comprehends. Not so with Gen. Cass'
deceptive non-intervention scheme, as explained
by himself in the United States Senate. We Of
the South, have and do still take for our ground
the non-intervention doctrine, as it is left by the
Constitution. That is to say, we ny Congress
any power whatever, to establish or abolish sla-
very, where it now does, or does not exist, as the
case may be-
Yet, in connection with this territorial subject,
| maintain that the unappropriated territories of
the United States free aud open to the settle
ment of every citizen Of the United States, whe-
ther he be STAKEHOLDER or not, and that every
citizen has equal right to take with him in set
ting these territories all the property he may
possess, well slares, horses, cattle and sheep.
And, further, that it is the bounden duty Of the
United States, to protect every citizen thus emf
grating to the territory Of the Union, in the peace
able enjoyment and right Of his property, slaves,
included. Indeed, it is the duty of every govern
to protect the persons and property OF all its
citizens, wherever they may be found, on land or
sea, long the citizen be found engaged in law
full and laudable pursuits, and maintaining the
character Of good citizen and law abiding man.
If this view be correct, as regards the claims Of
citizen to the protection Of his government, how
much more is the duty Of the government increased
to protect its citizens, when he has emigrated to
new territory which it is the desire of the govern
ment speedily to populate and prepare for becom-
ING sovereign State Of its own Union. in the
better days Of the Republic, we pursued the wise
policy OF settling our new territories under the
care ct governments prepared to suit the condition
Of the new settlers, thus carrying them through q 1
u,hir aredt tha,o IN bes
States whenever their population might justify
such change.
Under all the circumstances, as they actually
exist, shall consider the admission of California,
with her assumed boundaries, as State into the
Union, rs All intolerable assumption the part
Of the Federal Government, and which ought not
to be submitted to by the slavehodng States. The
admission of California presents test question.
A great portion Of the country, is most admirably |
adopted to slave labor. The labor of man in the |
mines Of California, is worth from 50 to IS per
day, or from five to ten hundred per anaum. How |
then can any man believe, il is not n country fit |
for slave labor
In connection with this slave question, per-
ccive that Mr. Clay, since the rejection Of his
odious omnibus bill, has upon the foor of the |
Senate Chamber, gone beyond the bounds of de- |
rency, in his despotc threats Of vengeance a. ainst
hose whom he seems determined TO nppress be- |
yond the bounds Of human endurance Having |
swelling words, to intimidate and freghen. He
now appeals to our weakness and our fears. IIe
boldly claims the right, TO enforce any law passed
oy the majority Of Congress, without reference
o its constutionaty, further than to have the
supporty of maiorit, and dec ares his readiness
o lend his arm. and use his every power to force
he mandates Of the majority, upon the Southern
States, including his native State, the Old Domn-
on. "Whom the Gods intend destroying, they
irst make mad
From the commencement Of the strife upon the
slave question, have discovered that the old
F'ederalists, Democrats and ALL of the North, are
disposed to lay aside our constitutional Govern
nent, and change our system into a government
BASED entirely on numbers, They speak and act
IN the principle that the substance Of the Cons-
ution, may all he summed up in single SEN
ence, to wit: That The majority shall rule in all
eases. Upon this slave question, they know they !
have the numbers, and therefore assume dsspotic
rule. And Mr.. Clay savowed object, now seems
10 be, to carry out these heresies to the last ex-
remty. Who are the disunionists' Is it not
those who ;ramNle on the Constitution, and claim
for Congress the power to make and the Execu- |
live to enforce any law which NAV receive the