Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-21
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE GEORGIA CONVENTION.


zens had been wrought into for several months pre-
cedng, by insdous appeals to them on the particu-
lar point upon which they are naturally most SEN
sitive-will have admired the dispassionate tone
and the high merit as composition which charac-
terize the Report of its Committee adopted by the
Convention, and published below. The Reso-
utons, though they go perhaps quite as far as was
to be desired in the declaration of what the State
would do in certain contingencies, yet those con-
tingencies are remote ard altogether improbable,
and will require specific action by the State autho-
rity should any one of the deprecated contingen-
cies unfortunately occnr-whist they utterly repu-
date the violent opposition to the Compromise
measures, to accomplish which the Governor of the
State had specially summoned the Convention
tachment to the Union, and determination to main
tain it against any factious opposition disoyal
combinations of individuals or of States.
We learn by letters from Georgia that the Con-
vention, before its adjournment passed resolution
to cause suitable block of marble to be prepared
and sent on for the Washington Monument, with
the coat of arms of the State inscribed upon it, and
beneath it these words g Georgia Convention,
December, 1885," This step was taken, il is said
in consequence of the conduct of Gov. Towns,
who had caused block to be sent to Washington
with the following inscription "Ihe Constitution
as it is-ths Union as it 0as."
The Union delegates also organized themselves
into party, which is to be called the :. Constitu-
tional Union party" and passed resolution re-
commencing that Convention be held in June
next to nominate Constitutional Union candidate
for Governor.
Report Of the Committee Of 7hirty.three.
The Committee appointed to prepare and report for the
consideration of the Convention action appropriate to the
occasion which they have assembled having carefully
sdeed the papers referred hem and freely inerchangsd
opinions, respectfully submit the following report:
The People of Georgia, responding to Proclamation of
their Chief Mag strae have met in Convention for the inn
mediate purpose of celebrating upon law enacted by the
Congress Of the United States entitled act for the ad
mission Of California into the Union Were the action Of
this body limited the consideration of that act its duty
would be easily discharged But extended survey Of
Congressional legislation and of Federal position not
only allowable, but necessary to just conclusion We
gard the act under consideration one in series of mea
sures each capable of independent existence, but all
directly indirectly affecting the institution Of slavery each
deriving from thatc circumstance its cardinal interest," and ALL
in crisis Of fearful import connected in scheme OF pacific
adjustment. s..-..
Two Of the in the series had for their object the
organization of Territorial Governments for portions Of the
domain recently acquired from Mexico. With them the
slavery question became connected by two opposite
mentshe proposing to prohibit the other to establish
slavery those Territories by express enactment the advo
of these extreme being alike reluctant leavs
the result dependant upon the future adjudication of the
courts distinct phase Of the subject was presented by the
application Of the people nhabng Of those Territories
be admitted into the Union State, under constitution
formed by themselves in which, for themselves they had
sume the settlement of the slavery question The acqus
ton Of this territory, moreover had involved the Government
OF the United States in controversy Of boundary pre-exs
ing between Mexico and the State Of Texas with which also
the slavery question unhappiy complicated Thus far
will be perceived, Of the pending
tony grauitousy obruded upon the National Legislature
for the purposes of agitation They resulted inevitably from
antecedent measures in which both the North and the South
were participant ,.@
But the difficulties that embarrassed the action Of Congress
are not yet oil told Just at this critical unctue, certain
Representatives from the non-slaveholdng States mpeed
partly by appeals from the inhabitants Of the District Of CO.
umba, and partly by the pompngs Of their immediate
suents pressed with increased urgency the suppression Of
the slave trade in the District To this superadded the
proposition fraught with far greater excitement to abolish
slavery the District Furthermore the people Of the South
Justly excited by the fahess and long continued denial Of
their constitutional right the extradon of fugitive slaves,
demanded additional and efficient legislation upon this vital
subject.
Oi
issues all surcharged with this peculiarly exciting ee-
ment and crowded into single session Of Congress, and
bare reference to the alarming agitation which, prnging up
in potraced debate extended beyond the halls Of legislation
and pervaded the public mind, will indicate the peril
of the day. and suggest that the only escspe that
spirit Of mutual concession which gave birth to the Consu-
ton, and which in times past had adjusted than
controversy threatening dissolution
is not proposed at this time to reopen the exhausted
argument upon the merits Of these questions severay col
lecvely. The result is that partisans occupying extreme
local positions in the country and holding dametrcay oppo
site opinions upon the slavery question In all its phases have
We'd with each other camorous denuncaton Of the settle
II may well be doubted whether upon the broad ter
oy Of this Republic, there dwes aninegen citizen whose
Judgment approves part OF each link in this extended
chain of adjustment Georgia. least finds in it matter
for objection and matter for approval But such is likewise
her opinion of Federal and State Constitutions so is
she accustomed Judge Of the leading of every Con-
gress and every General Assembly, each in its turn abos
The difficult problem perectng human Government through
the insumeniay of imperfect and conflicting human
is not this than any other occason the part of
wisdom OF patriotism to subject the legislative acts under
review to the rigid Of yielding either the full of
right or the full fruion of anticipated benefit.
Inc practical questions presented for consideration
these May Georgia, consistently ,Dih her honor, abide by
the general scheme Of pacifcaton If she may then does
Der interest lie In adherence to IL 10 resistance brief
reference to few facts Of recent will furnish
affirmative to the first and interesting inquiry.
The people Of Georgia fully sppzed that these great
issues were pending before the National Legislature Their
General Assembly being in session, and assuming repre-
their opinions, took them into consideration gave dis
expression OF their views and virtually required of
the Congress Of the United States conformity to those views
Numerous primary assemblies Of the people passed upon the
same questions, still in advance Of the action of Congress-
and whilst in many Of these the acquisitions Of the General
in ,ha