The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-04
Letter from Jadge BerrIen.
WAsAINaroN, August III.

w ASHlNGToN, august ~, 1907.
GENTLEMEN duly received your letter inyit-
ing me to attend mass meeting Of the citizens Of
Georgia, TO be held at Macon on the ODD inst and
have delayed my reply from the pressure Of my
engagements, as well as from the desire to watch
the progress of events here. | regret very much
that | cannot be with you, but do not feel that /
could leave my seat in the Senate, either in justice
to you, or TO my own feelings,
The immediate object of your assemblage, the
Compromise bill, has been disposed of in conformi-
ty TO your wishes bat questions of deep interest
remain, and will no doubt engage your attention.
Allow me to speak frankly with you, although |
must necessarily do 50 briefly The efforts Of your
representatives here have been parayzed by our
divisions at home. Georgia occupies igh posi-
ton among the States OF the Union. II her citizens
had united III firm and temperate demand Of her
right, we could have obtained them. The alb
sence OF this union Of sentiment has weakened us
and strengthened our opponents. With nuineri-
cal superiority in both Houses of Congress, they
have felt that they could exert it without hazard
their interests inchnatons mght dictate
Looking, they have studiously done, to the
Of the press and 10 conflicting results Of the
various public meetings in our State, IL has been
impossible to make them believe that we could be
brought TO unite in any mode of determined
sistance. These considerations have also had their
influence on southern representatives.. They are
advertcd TO in queruous spirit, but to urge YOU
respectfully but earnestly, you value your con
siiutionRl rights, to union in future
Stimulated by the prospect of success, which
awaits system OF measures calculated to destroy
your political equality, our opponents will not pause
in this crusade against our domestic Institutions
unless theyare met by united counses, and spirit
of determined resistance, calm, deliberate firm
ness, which shall manifest its sincerity. That po-
litical equality ID Indispensable to position in
the Union. It's attainment should be the great
leading principle of our political action and every
patriot Georgian, under Whatever party banner he
may have been heretofore ranged, should rally 10
the standard Of great and united Southern Re
publican party, whose motto should be Equality of
Rights, under our constitutional bond of union,
and determined resistance to all who oppose them
My views on this subject expressed at al
early period Of the present session OF Congress- in
a speech which was published in Georgia. For
convenience of reference, | send a copy by this
mail Our night to equality in the distribution of
the pubic domain has never been as5aled by even
plausible argument. In my Judgment, we GU ght
| to have stood mmovably on that ground Every
| departure from it, in the form OF compromise OF
any sort, diminished our strength, until at last
| there Is too much ground to believe that are
destined TO be beaten in detail far as relates 10
| the measures now pending here
| had occasion, few days since, to discuss the
question of the admission of California. My re-
marks not having yet been published in pam phlet
| form, beg leave to refer you TO the National In
telgencer Of the 18th inst and to that of the 18Th
for letter casually omitted in the publication OF
| the 18th ] send also copy of my remarks on the
/
So long rs there was any prospect of so amending
| that bill to render its provisions just to the
South, endcavored to perfect it. The proposal OF
| adjustment with Texas has received my support:
/. As evincing a disposition TO Cancellation,
! which strengthened our cause.
2. Because Texas, as a sovereign State, was the
| party entitled to decide question Of the disposal of
her own territory. II any State had nterfered be-
tween US and the United States, in our cession Of
! 1902, would have considered it intrusion.
| 3. Because the territory TO be ceded would be-
come part OF New Mexico and free from the pro-
! viso.
| 4. Principally, because relieving Texas from her
| debt, il would develop her energies and consider
a strong slaveholding State in that quarter as Of
| ncalculable importance in ITSELF and necessarily
| leading 10 the formation Of others.
Your deliberations will not, suppose, extend to
a mode of resistance TO these aggIessions, if they
| should be continued That presume will belong
to the convention, should il be necessary 10 Assem-.
bic it. forbear, therefore, any suggestion on that
| suhjcct-aud conclude this reply by the expression
Of the earnest hope that your counscls may he cha
racterized by unanimity, by ardent, unlaltering
! devotion to the Union, and by determination as
| immovabe, to maintain your equal position in a.
am, very respectfully, gentlemen, your friend
| and iclow-citizcn,
| JNO. MCPHERSON BBRRIEN.
To SAMUEL J. RAY, esq, and others, in behalf o.
| the citizens OF Macon.