The primitive Republican., 1851-10-09

I took an early occasion to bring the action !
# the Convention to the notice of the SEN i
tie Of the United States, declaring ipy desire, !
Is one Of the Representatives Of the people !
If Georgia, to give effect to their opinions, /
in convention legitimately assem-
Dled, adding thatit represented the consery-
ltism of estate, and was composed of men
is anxious for, and devoted to, the preserYa-
tioh of the Union, as could be found within
her broad and extended limits;" and my ar
on that occasion, was intended and
SO far as could do it, to give ef-
fectto the actionof the Convention. Isthere
any indistinctness, any want of directness
and clearness in this expression of my pur-
pose-any loop-hole on which to hang a doubt
IA serious doubt?-and if not, do the nomi-
mating Convention Of Richihond mean toqhes-
tion my sincerity-to. impeach my integrity?
What possible motive could | have 10 ex-
press what did not feel? The convention
thought with me, that we had cause of COM
plant; that disun;nn y2sn not the proper rem
edy for our grievances-that calm, manly
remonstrance should be addressed to our sis
ter States, torecall them to their duty. These
were my sentiments, expressed before the con-
vention met Wasitnotnatural that I should
adhere to them, when they had been confirm
ed by that body?
l have endeavored to meet this accusation
in every aspect in which it can be presented.
The resolution of the nominating convention,
ishowever, obscurely expressed. They enter
tain doubts concerning my opinions on the
Compromise measures. The doubts referred
to, may relate either to the measures them
selUes or to the decision Of the Contention of
Georgia, to abide by them.
If they refer to the first, the answer is plain
and obvious. voted for all those measures,
except the admission Of California, & against
that not only voted, but spoke, and assign
ed my reasons at large. Is there any room
to doubt what my opinion is, on all, or any
of those measures? The nominating conven-
tion may not agree with me in opinion, but
they cannot doubt what my opinion is.
Does itapply to the last-to the decision
of the convention of Georgia to abide by the
Compromise? Is this the doubt which it il
meant to express?-whether l am disposed tt
conform to this decision? Why should 1 not
: The opinions stated In their report, were my
} opinions, and had been publicly expressed b,
! me, before they were adopted by them
They have been steadily adhered to since
, The declaration that these are my opinions
: and that this is, and has been my determine
: ton is repeated now. If any man professe
: to doubt the sincerity of these obligations
! what Christian obligation forbids me to say
p that such man processes to doubt what b
o knows to be true, and to believe what h
d knows to be false?
d l commit ttheseresolutions to the judgmcn
S of the people of Georgia-nay, submit
h them to the calm and frank re-consideratio
} Of those by whom they were adopted, in tn
confident belief that they cannot fail to a,
d knowledge, at least to themselves, the inju
$ tice which they have done me.
t A word more. l am not among those wi
I discern in the signs of the times, any imm
e, diate danger to the Union; but the scene
e through which we have passed and are pas
ing, admonish US of the perishable nature
gfall merely human institutions. Its securit
e. is to be sought ina vigilance which shall ne
IS er slumber. We must be watchful of ou
Of selves, as well as of others. With the ma
n ly assertion of our rights, we must unite Il
At faithful fulflment of our duties. Our fir
as great duty is to cherish spirit of union
mong ourselves. Dangers may spring up
at our midst. Our passions may mislead u
n, and the selfshness of others, may subject
d to perils from without. An element of di
IN cord between the members of this confeder
- cy, unhappily exists. The institution
IN which it originates is vital to us, while to o.
n confederates, it is only important as an el
n mentof political power. 1t belongs to an c
no lightened patriotism to allay the animositi
IN it is calculated to excite. To cherish a spi
II it of union among ourselves, is to adopt Il
en- most efficient means of perpetuating our u
it. ion with our confederates. We may not e
ch pect an entire exemption from future aggrC
he sions. If unhappily they should come, pr
N dence and patriotism admonish us to res
rs them in manly and temperate spirit. Su
IS, mission will invite their renewal. The fr
tut soil party is active, enterprising, and incre;
ad ing in numbers Without being present
of ranged under their standard, the advocates
on the Compromise in the free States, unite WI
ose them in opinion, and share their feeling
lly opposition to what they denominate 'the
tension of slavery" Content with their
he cent triumph, they sing Teans to the Unic
of and will, when this question shall again
ct cur, be identified with the free soilers-wh
ch we, having nothing more to yield, and no
t I sonable expectation of any thing to g in, M
lis submit to legislative exclusion from terri
lie ries hereafter acquired, without the form
yell compromise to soothe the wounded feelil
en-. of freemen. This result can only be ayoic
ex- by perfect union among ourselves.
1el- On the other hand, unrestraincd violen
per in resistance to aggression, will produce
one visions among us. You need only look at
my contest which is raging in the State, wit
uld bitterness not content with the pc
Eical ostraeism of its yictim-would reno
adj lessly tgamplc on his reputation, and that
m. between those who have been heretofore
ms rniliar friends, andWhose interests are at
e.. moment identical. TO be convinced of
;f truth, if a few men Of excitable tcmperam,
The and excited feelings, had not in the fury
mlv their Indignation, raised the cryof disun
fore startling the apprehension Of others an
ons. rousing the spirit of devotion to our Cor
heir tutional Union-whicll is the master pe
s 4 cal feelingo of the Southern heart ne she
cor throughout this distracting controversy, b
did stood side by side, in a united, temper
She manly assertion Of our rights Thus 4
,a1I. while subnniss ssioninvites to the ereneWal OF
fba gressioh from without, intemperate Yiolel
aoca and threats Of disunion, produce division
g