Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-17
GOV. McDONALD'S ACCEPTANCE


the Southern Rights" candidate for Governor OF Gcor-
ga His letter is well written and though in his sweeping
denuncatons Of every of the Compromise, save
the Fugitive slave law TO which however, he gives
very little credlt and in his Of presenting the
action of Congress- decidedly differ with him, we cannot
justice the fine spirit which he manfess and some
sound views which he presents After reprobatng the whole
action of Congress most fragrant and fatal violation OF
the beautiful principles of equality and Justice Gov Med
goes to say
The serious resistance made the North the execution
Of the fugitive slave law and their election OF Senators and
Representatives pledges that they will insist on Its repeal
essential modi icaton destroy its value as rem
there rs n compromise. But if it be compromise il is
compromise by which the interests of the weaker party are
sacrificed The rapidly increasing slave population "l The
Souhis pcnt up there is no outlet Tor IT, The slaves are
to remain here and the work Of the aboonlsts is 10 be
compshcd either through the vast multiplication OF the race
by the change Of the constitution TO DC affected by the
early formation and admission OF Tree States into the
Union Considerations like these induced me as one OF
my States representatives in the Southern Convention
10 endeavor 10 bring about united action, on The part
Of the States Interested in this great subject To arrest
the progress OF usurpations, which, il continued must
result in the overthrow of constitutional liberty and the sub
version of the Union demand OF their rights embracing
the equality and justice guaranteed by The Constitution
made with itmncss and moderation by all the Southern
States united must have exerlcd the happest
influence In my humble Judgment s ELECTS would, ere
now, have been seen in its fruits vi justice in the Govern
meD and peace and harmony among the States and the
people. But this could be accomplished; and the wrong
having been DONE each State Judge Tor itse without
consultation with the rest in the matter Georgia. in advance
of her sisters has met in her sovereign capacity and her
people have determined pretet the outrage committed
her rights by the admission Of California into the Union
State with her highly Objectionable Constitution This
they have DONE from any affection they have for the
the policy which dictated H. but from their
raordnay rbearance and encouraged 10 hope too by the
agreeable proclamation of Of their sentnes duty,
that "ais wcl Their decision ought not TO be disturbed,
however much il may conflict with individual opinions. In
Government Of a and order such decisions must be
sidcred authoritative They the rW Of The people. If the
people have authority say that they will resist and
determine the of that resistance they have the like
authority say THAI they will not resist This principle
hold be and necessary to the safety and
happiness OF mankind
The right OF State in virtue Of its independence and
vccgnty secede from the Union, whenever the people
thereof in their sovereign capacity shall determine such
step be necessary to effect their safety and happiness
flows necessarily from the nature OF our Governmental or
gunizatOn. The Government of The Union was formed for
the purpose of protecting The States and people from foreign
aggression and promoting justice and peace among
States themselves 10 the extent, and in as ample
each State might have secured these objects for
itself and its people, by treaty oew isc had it retained
its sovereignty 1t is Government for protection not for
offence. Each State voluntarily into the Union for
these Objects and the Government fails 10 give this pro-
lection and security it follows that the Stale has right 10
take of itself This is new principle Three Of The
States New York. Virginia and Rhode Island coming in
the Union declared thar the powers of The Government
may be reassumed by The people, whenever il shall become
necessary their happiness 1t thus became condition
of their adoption of the Federal constitution. The people
Of Massachusetts in their bill Of rights (embudcd in
their constitutional declare that the people alone have
nm ncontesabc, unacnablc and indefeusibe right 10
institute Government and reform, alter and total
y change the same when their protection safety prosperity
and happiness require il. The State of Maine New liaInp-
SHIRE Vermont, Connecticut Pcnnsy vania, Maryland Fir
gina Kentucky Tennessee Ohio Indiana Mississippi Ala
bamu and others have adopted the principles IN
substance. The States OF New Hampshire Maryland and
Tennessee have each declared in its constitution, that he
doctrine of nonresstancc against arbitrary power is absurd
savsh and destructive OF The good and happiness OF man
kind Upon The principle of the right OF resistance and
The right OF secession from the Union tho people of Georgia
through their delegates recently met in convention have de-
carcd that The State in their Judgment will and ought 10 re-
ss even 10 disruption of every tic which binds her TO The
Union, any such action Of Congress as is mentioned in the
resolution, containing the declaration. But inasmuch
the people OF Georgia have determined soemnly in Convcn
un that Tor of the past wrongs OF the General Gov
eminent, however aggravated they be- will the Slate
exercise this unquestona5e is il is Sufficient consider
1t as set down by our people, political AXIOM be acted
on whencverin their Judgment the evils Of tie Union
than counter5aancc its benefits
The Constitution is the compact of Union and our safety
depends on strict construction Of it, 1t is our country
what the bible 10 the christian and departure from will
be fatal TO political security. But cannot be blind
to the fact that Tor some time past little respect has been
paid TO it, and that the tendency OF the Government is To
consolidation. We must return TO lis principles a, erpo.
ded by the apostles Of repucanism 9S and SO
bic fabric will fall to pieces Let do all can as
State TO preserveN. Let us insist the full measure Of
justice ourselves for people who do value their
rights need hope that they will respected BY others
We must use the means IN our power and they abundant
enighen the public mind bring education The door
every man. trusting TO the ministers of holy religion
spread the principles OF morality and Justice among our peo-
pie and having done all that depends on human effort 10
preserve the glorious Constitution of ancestors hope for
the blessing of God upon excron The means of ga
wing the Conederacy the and in the purity il was
His good will it should be established.
In thus pointing the Of preserving 'the glorious
constitution of ancestors and Of saving The conedeacy
Gov Med. gives precious little comfort he schemes .:
the separate Inioniss il South Carolina The Savannah
Georgian publishes his letter in ali respects adna-
BILE document and in the column, and by way OF def
ming the position Of the Southern Rights" party in Geo
gia warmly endorses the following:
EXCELLENT PLATFORM.-The Athens rhinestone
county, Herald in noticing the letter of Governor Collier 10
Col Berke he takes precisely the position in
TO the compromise occupied by tie people
generally in North Alabama viz an acquitscence in but
not approval Of all the acts embraced IN that adjustment,
To this is the right ground for US all 10 STAND upon
Jet us at present run into eSlreme-becone neither
id Secessionss ultra Unonstsbu, contend simply and
vigorously for our rights in the Union, and under the Con-
stution as it is Taxing all in the
time TO build up Southern commerce and manufactures
TO make the South-n out Of the Cnon-lndependen
only Of Northern Sates-but OF any foreign powe:
According then, TO the "Souhern Rights organs In
Georgia. both Mr. Cobb and Gov Mcdonald stand on the
Georgia patfom-and the only difference between them is
that the former ustiies and approves the Compromise and
opposes the right Of secessonand Gov Med denounces
the Compromise RIGHT secession though