The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-04

and free from the control of any other State,
seeking to dispute it on the ground OF its sup
posed interference with her interests. We, in
Georgia, would have realized the truth of this
proposition, if any other State had attempted TO
interfere between US, in the cesslon made by
Georgia To the United States of the territory
which now constitutes the States OF Alabama
and Mississippi 1t has, moreover, appeared to
me strange that those who claim this right Of
interference by other States, in the adj ustment
between Texas and the United States do not
perceive how directly such claim conflicts with
their own denial of like right Of interference
in the case of State Withdrawing from the
Union, for causes which she may determine to
be just.
4. | considered that this adjustment was en- :
inently conducive to the interests OF the slave
holding States. Texas is sparsely populated
State, Of great territorial extent containing with
in her limits large bodies of rich lands yet I'M
cultivated. New States, in which slavery shall
be allowed, may, by the resolution OF aunexa-
ton, be carved out Of that portion OF her terri
tory lying south OF thirty-six degrees thirty
minutes north latitude, and admitted into the
Union 1t is important to- us that these States
should be crested as soon as practicable. Two,
four, or six senators, added to those now repre-
senting slavehoIding States, would essentially
change our condition in that body, and this can
Only be accomplished by the speedy settlement
of Texas. That has hitherto advanced slowly,
owing to the great amount OF her public debt
Men of property have been unwilling to remove
to State where the alternative would be pre-
scented to them, of a reputation OF the public
debt or heavy taxation to discharge it. The
djustment removes this obstruction, by enabling
Texas to discharge her debts, and its effects are
Wis i,,i ha I'D m
that State The admission into the Union Of
these new States, whose institutions and inter
ests would be identified with our own, seemed
to me to be consideration of paramount i'm.
portance to the South-incalculab more i'm.
portant than that of withdrawing from the ju-
risdiction Of Texas, and subecting to the legis-
lation Of Congress, n slip of land lying east and
west between The Rio Grande, and the meridian
Of one hundred and three degrees west from
Greenwich, and north and south, between thirty
two degrees and thirty six degrees, thirty min
utes, north latitude. For These and other rea-
sons, | voted for the adjustment with Texas.
In common with my colleagues, opposed the
bill to abolish the slave trade in the District of
Columbia, after an Intellectual attempt had been
made to substitute a pecunary penalty for the
emancipation Of the slave, and with them 70 ed
| for the fugitive slave bill.
These are the several measures constituting
what is Familiarity known as the compromise.
| My votes on each Of them, and the reasons
given for those votes, are on the records of the
Senate, have been published to the country,
and are, trust, expressed with sufficient clear
ness to exclude any "seri,us doubts" as to my
opinions concerning any Of them.
Thus far, then, have hope, shown that the
accusations of the Richmond convention, whelh-
Ed. L.,
my return to the State, / found an unusual de.
gree Of excitement prevailing. The governor,
acting upon his construction of the Legislative
mandate, had called convention. There were
three different opinions on this subject There
were tn Sc who thought and commended that the
convention ought to meet and instantly adjourn,
in order TO mark, in manner not to be mis-
taken, their disapprobation of the act Of calling
| 1t. Others, indignant at the wrongs which they
imputed to the compromise, and at the repeated
aggressions of which they complained, advo-
Gated the adoption of strong measures OF resist.
ance. There was third class who opposed
themselves to all violence, hut who, neverthe.
less, thought that Georgia had cause of com.
pl1int-that the assembling of the convention
would afford fit ccasion for calm, deliberate
consideration of those causes-and who advo
Gated frank, manly remonstrance to our sistel
States
For myself thought that the call Of tn,
convention by the constituted authorities Of tn,
State, ought TO b. treated with respect, and tina
we had causes of compliant, which ought 10 bC
considered by that body, but | did not thihI
that these should zeal TO disunion. On III,
contrary, in all my public addresses and privat,
conversations, a. well before az after the meeting
of the convention, repeated the opinion which
|, Ill II 20, III
T PEELED the iiea that disunion was the prope
remedy for our grievances. think no one will
deny this, or will venture to say that m,
opinions were expressed in terms which would
admit of anv, the slightest doubt.
To ne CySCIrpED To.MORRoW1