The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-28
Correspondence Of the Charleston .Ne,cs.
MiLLEDGEvILLE, Dec. ii

MILLEDGEVlLLE, Dec II, lCou
Sir You will see, long before this reaches
YOU, the address and resolutions of the Georgia
Convention The result Of the whole affair is that
the people of Georgia, by their representatives,
say that they abide by the compromise; but will
sever the ties Of the Union if slavery IS abolished
in the District Of Columbia, or if the slave trade is
interdicted between the States or IT the Fugitive
slave law il not enforced. | can assure you that
the rival interests of the States OF Georgia and
South Carolina have had no little influence in the
late election, and on the proceedings OF the con-
venton do not say that members OF the conven-
ton have had this obi ect directly in view but
that the jealousy long encouraged towardsCharles-
ton trade the wish to build up Georgia seaport,
have so preudiced the public mind, as to make it
incapable OF seeing this slavery question IN its
true aspect. The question Of the secession of
South Carolina from the Union, has rarely been
discussed, without suggestions as to the effect on
Savannah. The most glowing antcipations have
been INDUCED AS to the consequence of the with
drawal of the former State, on the prosperity of
the latter named city. 1t has been predicted that
in the General Government would be found con-
venient agent to promote this advantage. The
forces Of the Government, it is said, would
blockade our ports. The trade, prohibited to us.
would flow into Savannah /; and this last city
would at once step from secondary to chief COM
n,ercal position. These golden dreams, very
much like the showers OF gold sought by boys at
the end of the rainbow, have been enough to IN
duce a subsistence of the spirit Of resentment to
state Of submission-especially with those who,
under Southern professions, indulge covert North
ern sentiments who hope to reap the reward
Of their treachery the liberties of the South, in
the riches and honors Of the Federal Government.
Ii is degrading to men Of true patriotism and
proper spirit TO listen to the calls Of prudence
moment when every insult which can be offered
them has been given. But it deserves considera-
ton whether your State should not profit by these
signs of the times; and by prudence, defeat the
schemes which are forming for her rum; 1t Is
evident that there are men IN the South who
would oppose South Carolina, though the last
hope of liberty depended on her action. 1t is inn
material whether these men be the disguised Abo-
Ii,ionists, who with abolition money are ruling the
public mind through the press, or with abolition
PRAYERS are preaching from pulpits, or the not
less reasonable class who for a crumb from the
table of the Federal Government would sell their
country and violate her institutions. When we
see press in the heart Of slaveholding commu
nifty, tolerated in the most disgusting praises of
Foote, and calling the people OF South Carolina
and of Mississippi dsuuionlsts without cause,
we may well dread the influence both Of corrup-
ton and hypocrisy.
do not expect that the people Of slave States,
who submit to the violations of the Constitution,
like that Of stealing California into the Union, viii
ever resent any invasion Of that instrument, or
any attempt to degrade them, either in person or
property. | once heard of man into whose face
another had rubbed his fist, accompanied by the
grosses abuse, who said about month afterwards
that he had great mind to ask the other if he had
intended to insult him So it is with many Of our
quasi patriots-after being struck to the earth Pc
peatedly and having the boot-hees of Abolition
lists and Free-soilers rubbed in their faces, they
will rise in doubt il it was intended to insult them,
or be content TO imagine their bruises healed by
appointment TO some contemplate government Of
fee ] do not know Of anything which would
more degrade me in my own estimation than to
hold office from the General Government at a mo-
ment when such wholesale warfare being
waged on the State to which is due first allegiance.
Though not citizen Of your State, feel au-
thorized to offer your leading men some words of
counsel. Do not act now. Prepare to be truly
independent. Encourage the development Of the
energies of your people. Discourage emigration,
by securing the home Of the citizen, and by abol-
ishing Imprisonment for debt. Give premiums
TO industry, and excite emulation IN the useful
arts. Build steamers, and open direct trade
with Europe. Put every tax which the Constitu-
ton will warrant on articles manufactured in the
anti-slave States. Buy from one who is not
wholly and entirely identified with you. What
ever the action Of other States, remember that
there are many who watch you with deep con-
Germ, and will sustain you, whatever your destl-
nv. Should you be driven to the necessity Of
separate State action, may deplore It, but even
in that extremity will not desert you Should, in
that event, the General Government, or citizens
Of the free States, use coercive measures towards
you, your soil is not large enough to hold the
men who will seek to pour out their blood in your
defence. When the moment Of danger comes,
you will be surprised at the numbsr Of our friends.
Many Of them, white headed with age, as am,
are not too old, and will not be for years, to en-
gage, musket in hand, in this latest struggle for
liberty, oGLElHoRPE' !