Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-02

the 18th inst informing me OF my nomination bv the
Convention OF the Constitutional Union party of Geor
ga, for the Office of Governor With full apprecia.
ton OF the honor which the Convention has conferred
upon me, accept the nomination, and, if elected will
endeayor faithfully to discharge the duties of the Of
ice.
The resolutions adopted by your Convention, present
10 dlstlnct terms to the people OF the State issue in
vovng the peace and repose of the country. if not the
very exlste OF the Union No one can ver-estmaie
tn Importance of the decision which is to be pronoun-
ced by the people upon it, and it is only in due esti
mate OF the consequences dependent upon the result,
that we can look Tor judgment worthy of the intei-
gence and pa riotsm OF our fellow citizens.
During the exciting that characterized the de-
alterations OF the last Congress the slavery question:
the public mind directed with intense anxiety to the
action of our national legislature. Every patriotic
heart in the laud felt that the issues of life and death
were involved n the final adjustment OF that angry and
exciting contest which was threatening the overthrow
OF the MODEST structure every erected by human wisdom
the american Union That result so long and anx-
iousy looked for by The people Of the States was at
length eonsummated by their representative liz the
adoption OF those bills, ianiary known to the country
as the adjustment" or compromise measures" l do
NOT propose at this time TO discuss hore
would not be altogether appropriate 10 the OCCASION
even II elt mpellsd to such course by the apprehen
SION OF any doubt existing in the public mind in refer
ehce TO my views on this subject have alluded to the
SUBJECT as Introductory to another growing out of those
measures winch challenges, in emphatic manner the
Puoic atehtion, from recent poca movements in our
own and neighboring States
When, in consequence Of the passage of the compro.
mise bills by Congress, the people of Georgia were
summoned to Convention to consider of the course
and policy which the adoption OF those measures re-
CURED them to pursue, all felt that circumstances
1aa devolved upon our State responsibility of no or
onafY CHARACTER but one which the intelligence and
PATRIOTISM OF her people peculiarly adapted her to as
sumo. The ety manifested ia reference to the ac-
tlon OF mat Convention, was not confined to the limits
OF our own State. 1t was felt throughout III, length
and breadth of the Union and was second in intensity
only to the soiicude which had previously been eYh;
olted about the adoption of the measures which had
caused It's assemblage The questions which that Con-
venton ascaled upon to consider we're discussed pv
the puolc press-by our public speakers-n private
conversalon-ndeed in every mode known to the no.
nuca canvass with unusual warmth and marked abili-
W IL IS certainly no reflection upon any previous DO
lcal struggle in ouI State to saw that on no former
occasion was there more talent learning research and
patolsnr brought into requson than by The respec-
tive friends and advocates of the various noc;es midi.
Gated In the course OF the canvass The represents,
hves selected under these circumstances assembled in
Convention: body otas wise and patriotic men az
came fresh from the people, fully entrusted with tbeir
wishes, and empowered TO speak authoritatyey for
hemand in the name OF their constituency thew placed
upon the records OF our State the enlightened judg-
ment OF an honest and patriotic people. 1t is unneees-
sary Tor me here to speak of the action of the Con-
venton in detail. 1t is Of too recent occurrence. and
therefore, too familiar to the people to require reel
tai OF IT. Not only will it be remembered what was
the action OF the Convention but should likewise be
borne In mind that il met the approving voice of the
people throughout the State.
winch QfeetAd
the representatives upon their return their respective
constituencies, rendered the striking and re-
markable, by the feeble and occasional mutterngs of
the few restless and discontinued spjrts who wihheId
their sanction. Who supposed at that time that there
would have been arrayed in few months a political
organization in the State, based upon repudation
OF tins wise, Just and enlightened Judgment of the peo-
ple2
Ii the people of Georgia are prepared to reverse
decision so recently and solemnly made, and madly
to rush the ship OF State into the guilt OF disunon iu
RI no cote kh1,,. c..
it manifest that am not the man to select for their
Chief Magistrate For while concede that the South
has cause OF complaint against the North Tor their con-
duct in the past, in connection with the question of
slavery, yet must, in candor, declare that there i.
nothing which in my judgment will justify us in dissol-
wing government formed by Washington and his i'm
mortal compeers, and which The committee are right
10 Pronouncng the fIeest happest and best in the
world" II will be dark day Tor liberty throughout
the world, when his step is taken.
The effect produced throughout the Union by the
actlon OF mat Convention IS not only grateful to our
eeng OF State pride, but should be without its in.
Huence upon our minds when we are invited 10 q ro-
consideration OF the decision which then pronoun-
ced With our sister States of the South aud with the
patriotic trends OF the Union every where the action of
that Convention was hailed with exhibitions Of unbound.
ed applause The highest encomiums passed up
on the wisdom, intelligence, and patriotism fits mem.
bers, as exhibited in their firm and unyieding dsyo-
ton to the rights OF the South the Constitution of the
country, and the Union Of the States. Georgia, al
ready proudly pre-eminent among her sister States
was thus elevated 10 yet higher and nober position
AS Que OF her czens, give to the action of her Con-
venton my warm, cordial and unreserved approval,
cslon my best efforts. She has declared in the most
solemn manner that "she can, consistently Nth her
honor ABIDE by the general scheme of pscica.ion."-
this action of her Convention nv UNQUALIFIED appro-
VAL do not feel that my native State has required
me- as one OF her citizens, to submit TO act Of deg
radetion will not cast upon her the ungraefu re-
Election that she has taxed the allegiance of her citizens
tc the extent OF requiring at their hands humilsting
SUBMISSION to condition otdesrddation and Unequal
fty among her sister States.
Ii 10 with far different feelings that regard hsr action
look upon her in the proud position which she occupes
in this confederacy of States, and feel no blush of
shame mating my cheek as read her history in the
pasreallze her present pre- .emineuce-and look tor.
ward the bright prospect which the future opens no
before her. Should, however, the time ever arrive
when The conditions OF her remaining in the confedsracy
are asgradafton and ,nequahfy, shall be prepared
with her, ito resist with all the means which favor
ing Providence may place at her diposal" even "(asa
last resort to disruption OF every tie which binds
oer to Inc Onlon any and every power that seeks to
put upon her such debasing terms Nor am | partcu-
lar by what name this resistance may be characterized
-whether secession revolution, or anything else-for
no one can Tor moment doubt that should this fearful
collision ever come, the issue will be decided only by
the arbtrameni OF the sword Where constitutions end
revolutions begin.
But, to my mind the future presents no such gloomy
ofeoodlngs So tar we have main aimed the honor of
our state, and at the same time preserved the Union
hrm and unyieding adherence to the principles laid
down by our Convention, will ensure the future peace
and repose of the country, and will enable u.s. in COM
mon with our brethren of the American Union-
to realize all those blessings which the future has in
store for our country, il we will prove true the high
destiny to which We have been called. Let Georgia
then remain frn in the decisions she has made and not
invite, bya vacillang course, renewal of sectional
strife and iealouses
Returning you, gentlemen, my thanks for the iatter-
ing manner in which you have been pleased to COM
muncate TO me my nomination by the Convention,
am very respectfully, your ob't servant,
HOWELL COBB.