Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-11-17
Governor Cobb's IaauxuraI Al.

cred an Inaugural Address, from which
we make the following extract:
AT the commencement ofthe last Con.
gress the country was convulsed with a
bitter sectional controversy, growing out
of the institution of slavery as it exists in
the Southern States. The ablest heads
were appalled, with the magnitude of the
danger that threatened the integrity of the
Republic-and the stoutest hearts faltered
under the weight of responsibility. Ii
would be inappropriate to this occasion to
review the history of that angry and threat
ening controversy-nor would l necessa-
rily refresh your memories with many Of
Its painful relationship there are les
sons and admonitions to be drawn from its
consideration, which cannot be too deeply
and forcibly inrr-s sed upon the public
mind ofthe country.
This threatening issue was ultimately
brought to close in our National Legisla-
iure by the adoption of series of meas
ures Familiarity known to the country as the
Compromise. That Compromise was
based upon two important principles =
The first recognised the great American
doctrine Of the right of every people, in
the organization OF the State government.
to determine for themselves whether or
notthey would have the institution of slave
ry as part Of their social system, prin-
cple dear to every republican heart, and
one upon which rests the whole fabric of
American institutions, thus repudiating that
other doctrine, sojustly odious to the peo-
pie ofthe South, of the right and duty of
Congress to reject State applying for
admission into the Union because her con-
stitu.ion tolerated the institution Of slavery.
The other cardinal principle of the Com
promise recognises the constitutional obi
CATION to deliver up our fugitive slaves
when they may escape into the non-slave-
holding States-a duty expressly imposed
by the letter Of the Constitution, and tie
enforcement Of mhicA is essential to tie per-
manence ofthe Republic. After the adop-
ton Of this Adjustment by Congress, cir
cumstanes imposed. upon the people Of
Georgia the important duty of prononcing
the first authoritative judgment upon it,
To our action the eyes of the whole
country were directed, and our fellow-cit-
lzcns every where looked 90 our move
ments with anxious soicitude. 1t was un-
der these circumstances that Georgia was
called uponto speak. She spoke, and her
voice brcathed mingled spirit Of ardent
devotion to the Union, and of patriotic
warning to its northern friends, looking to
the past, and considering the rights and in
tcrests that had been involved in the con-
test, the dangers and difficulties which had
surrounded the country, and the important
principles upon which the final action of
the Government was based, she solemnly
declared her determination TO stand to and
abide by the Compromise as a permanent
and final settlement Of this dangerous and
vital issue--iis Gnaliiy, and faithful en-
forcement in all parts, constituting essen
tial elements to commend it to the favor
and support Of herself and her sister Safes
ofthe South. Looking to the future, with
reference to the menaces of threatened ag-
erosion which had been so freely INDUCED
IN by portion Of the people of the North,
and regarding the adoption of these meas
ures against which she raised her warning
voice, IN the fourth resolution of her con-
vention, as invidious blows aimed at her
most vital interests, she has calmly but
firm y said to this maddened spirit of fanat
iclsm-Thus far shalt thou 60, and no far
Their. Her position was taken with calm
ness IN lSj0-it has been rcaliirmcd with
deberation in 1851, and | now renew the
pledge Of my hearty cooperation in main.
tanning it with frmness and decision
Georgia has thus placed herself upon
broad national and patriotic platform, and
invites her sister States OF the Union to
stand by her in the preservation of the hap
piest and freest Government on earth
upon these great principles of right and JUS
tee Her policy and principles look to
the preservation of the Union: and the
maintenance of the Constitution as one and
Ambition can seek no higher
and nobler oblec, than the Transmission to
posterity of this inestimable legacy: A
Union Of sovereign States, connected bya
Constitution dispensing equality and jus
tee 10 all its members-a Constitution con
sccratcd by the wisdom Of the great and
good men Of revolutionary memory
Union whose flag floats upon every breeze,
is honored in every land; and regarded
throughout the world as the emblem of
constitutional freedom. The maintenance
of such Constitution and the preserva-
ton of such a Union is worthy of the uni
ted and untlring efforts Of patriotic men
North and South, East and West-wor-
thy oftheir best energies and purest devo-
tons. Assembled here in the capital of
Georgia. around her timo-honored and
consccrated affairs, let US unite in one COM
mon prayer to the great Ruler Of the Uni
verse, that this Constitution and this u
mon may be pcrpetuated ioour latest pos
terity.
KOSS-sflp mud Our NAVY AmcarS