The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-02

sud Protfacted domestic a1fiIctl0n has almost
entirely denied to me the privilege of inter.
course with my constituents, from the moment
of my return TO the State, in April last, up TO
the time in which write. Meanwhile, the
press, and host of patriotic orators OF every
shade Of political opinion, who have traversed
the State in every direction. from its centre to
its extremities, have been engaged in enlighten-
ing the public mind on the various topics,
which belong, or are supposed to belong 10 the
! crisis in our national affairs which is alleged
to exist. If no other effect has been produced
by these efforts, they have at least resulted in
creating an unusual degree of excitement, d.
vision, and bitterness of feeling among certain
. classes of our citizens.
have not Witnessed this state OF things
with Indifference or unconcern On the con-
trary, | have contemplated it with deep and
painful interest feel that we are wasting in
} domestic strife, those energies, which ought TO
, be reserved for the constitutional assertion of
our constitutional rights, in that hour of trail
which union among ourselves may avert, but
which our intestine divisions are only calculated
to accelerate. Compelled to decline, for the
reason which have stated, the numerous calls
which have been made upon me to join in these
discussions, have been Obliged to content my
self with the declaration that my opinions on
the various subjects connected with the slavery
question, az these have been delivered in the
Senate of the United States, and in public ao
dresses, remain unchanged. have uniformly re-
commended acquiescen. in the decision OF the
people of Georgia in convention, and have urged
the Indispensable necessity of union among
ourselves, for our protection against future ag-
gression.
Standing thus on the ground marked out by
the convention in December last--having vim
Dictated your rights in the Senate of the
United Suites, and been cheered by repeated ex-
Lressions of your Notwithstanding through
a long course of public service, at all times,
manifested an unfaltering devotion to the Union,
and uniformly, and before the public sentiment
of Georgia had been declared in convention,
having often and publicly repeled the idea that
disunion was the proper remedy for the wrongs
of which we complain, was content, 30 far as
was personally concerned, to await the result
of discussions in which Lcould not participate,
in the consciousness of having, to the best of
my ability. discharged my duty to you, and of
having TINS, however imperfectly, manifested
the gratitude which ! felt for the long con-
tinued conf lence with which you had honored
me.
This position have not been permitted quiet
ly to hold In the seclusion which circumstances
have forced upon meA-with my anxiety constant
ly excited by domestic claims requiring all my
care and attention, have been met by denunci-
atoms of in6delity to the State, of whose inter
ests am declared TO be an "unsafe" represent
alive. Stating their understanding that am a
candidate for reelection, the nominating conven.
ton of Richmond have not merely instructed
their representatives to vote against me, which
it was their right to do, but by resolutions for
mally adopted, and ostentatiously published,
have announced to the people of Georgia, that
serious doubts concerning my opinions on the
, compromise measures are entertained by many
, intelligent and patriotic men, SO serious, as to
render my reelection impoiitic and unsafe
Now, the gentlemen composing this conven-
tion are for aught know to the contrary, very
. worthy and respectable persons. ] desire to
:, think 80. do think so, OF such Of them are
: known to me. These resolutions would fair
{ believe were adopted without any very careful
l. consideration of their import and extent
" would hope that these gentlemen were not aware
+, Of the serious and utterly unfounded impeach
ment of my personal integrity, which they were
. preferring--that like many proceedings in such
II conventions, the party purpose to be accomplish
8 ed WAS agreed upon, and no very careful consid-
Grafton given TO the terms which were employed
to carry that purpose into effect.
However this may be. one OF two conclusions
5 is inevitable. IL these resolutions were careful
, ly examined and adopted, without understand
ing the serious charge which they preferred, the
, intelligence of those VINO examined, and with
out such understanding adopted them, Is not
, merely questionable IT. with an understanding
of the false and unfounded charge which they
, preferred against my integrity, they deliberately
ushered them to the world they have violated
the plainest and most obvious principles of JUS
2 tce, and have manifested an utter disregard OF
n The obligations which man owes to his fellow
man. If this is strong language, it is the Ian
e guage of man whose integrity has been wan
y tonly impeacbed-who is falsely accused of such
u nsincerty in the declaration of his political
opinions, and snch consequent infdelity to the
State, as renders him an unsafe" representative
If her interests do not mean to practice upon
, the maxim. that those who give blows, should
make up their minds 10 receive them. 1t is in
deed difficult to reprsss The expression of the
feeling which such imprtations are calculated
TO excite in the breast OF one. eonsci0us alb, LEI,
me add, proudly conscious of having Iabored
through the whole of this unhappy controversy,
with sole view to the preservation Of the peace
and harmony of the Union, and TO the vindica
ton Of the constitutional and cherished rights of
State, which is at once the home Of his affec
, tons, and humanity speaking, the boundary Of
his hopes. But while exercising the right Of
selfdefence, will endeavor to restrain the es
preston of this feeling, within the limits pre-
scribed by the respect, which Ia Justly due TO
those to whom address myself
The obvious course on this occasion Is, to en-
quire---
LIST. What il is, which these resolutions
either directly or indirectly assertl
i. I'd. How far in either aspect they are con
sistent with the truth ? There is, however. a
preliminary remark
The Convention have proceeded in this
matter on their understanding, that am can
didate for reelection to the Senate of the United
States. Now pray 10 enquire by what means
this understanding obtnnedl have
made no such announcement 10 the public.
have not Of my situation had permitted,
would not have) canvassed the State to solicit
any mans vote. Assuredly, have made no
such announcement | have presented no such
solicitation to the gentlemen composing this
convention repeat the question then-How
u was this understanding obtained! | think
4 have in nv possession the meane Of ,ra,,..~,.