The southern press., 1851-10-04

that object. agreed to throw veil over past ag-
gressions, the existence Of which they did not
deny, but asserted-to acquiesce in the compro-
mise, not vhoiiy to approve it--noi 10 ulorize it
not to proclaim il as triumph to the South
above all, the convention did nothing to au-
thorze the formation under its auspices, of a
proscriptiue party They opened wide the por-
tails OF the temple of freedom, and called to their
fraernal embrace all who cordially and faithfully
mite with them in maintaining the principles
which they proclaimed essential to the pres
ervation OF the Union-I am willing to believe
that the great majority OF those who are ranged
under the standard of the constitutional Union
party, are not actuated by the same just and lib
eral SPIRIT will not permit myself 10 think
that the prospective spirit so very stikingly ex-
hibited by the Richmond fraction of that great
party, Is characteristic Of their associates. Con-
slider for moment what il is they have done,
apart from the calumny Of which they intended
that should be the victim. The most dis.::::
guished citizen of their county--one who has
served them with eminent ability, and fidelity
which no man will call in question--who has
stronger hold on the affections Of their people,
and Of those Of the State at large, certainly
than any other man in Richmond probably than
any other man in the State--who would Justly
occupy an elevated position in any assembly of
the State, or of the Union--a man, the purity of
whose private life is beautifully illustrated in his
public conduct-alke Tin the better sense of
that celebrated phrase) @wthout fear and with
out reproach"-without fear but to do wrong,
and without the reproach Of doing it--ths man
too, has been politically ostracised, 50 far rs it
was in the power Of the nominating convention
Of Richmond to Danish him from public service.
His crime was refusal 10 vote in opposition
to his conviction of right in the election of a
Senator to Congress-to affix by his vote the
stigma of disunion upon a man, whose devotion
of the Union, he had known from his childhood.
This election may, or may not occur at the next
session of the legislature. If the latest prece-
dent in the election of the same individual be
followed il will not. There are mo cover many
other subjects for Legislative action, in which
Richmond has common interest with other
parts Of the State, excluding from our consd-
Grafton the own peculiar interests, in which this
rejected individual would be their most efficient
representative. It is no dsparagenent to the
actual nominees, to assert (they would them
selves admit his higher qua6cations-and vet
because they choose to prefer a charge, which
he knows to be groundless, and which I have
Showed to be without even a plausible founda-
ton, against an individual who they understand
is to be candidate, without any authority for
that understanding, this one consideration is
made to override all Others and the sentence of
political ostracism is pronounced. without doubt
an appeal to the people of Richmond, would re.
verse that sentence, but they know that this ap-
peal will not be made: 1t is pretended that
their purpose was to advance this individual to
a seat in the Senate of the United States in nv
stead! They know or might have known, that
even with my acquiescence, he would not accept
1t. His crime then il refusal to believe, or to
act as if he did believe, what he knows to be
untrue. Is this patriotism, or proscription-f-
deity to the public, or personal hospitality?
have done. Mypurpose in this address has
been not to enter into the present contest not
TO engage in the discussion of the distractinp
questions, which have in my judgment been
very unnecessarily brought into it-but to de-
fend my personal character The official sta
ton with which you have honored me, is
highly gratifying manifestation of the conf
dence of free, intelligent, and patriotic peo-
pie, and value It accordingly-but incalcua-
bly, more valuable to me, than any office which
the State, or the Union can bestow, is that con-
scious integrity, which under every vicissitude
OF fortune. has been the solace of my life. fla
faithful and Jealous vindication of your rights
is deemed Inconsistent with your interests, can
fSsho fOh ohicioi Ssatihu WITHOUT Olner regret
than that which arises from the lesson which il
will impart to the future representative of Geor-
gia In the councils OF the Union. But Tire CON-
sciousness of having done my whole duty to
you, and to the country at large, throughout
this distracting controversy, is mine, irrevoca-
bly mine. OF that no man may deprive me. |
will defend il with my latest breath, as the rich
est legacy which | can bestow upon my chill
dreu, and with an unwavering determination,
God prospecting my eforts) to preserve il for
them. A noble hearted son Of Erin, recurring
TO the memory Of his grandsire, and prospec-
lively to the fortunes Of his child, thus gave
vent to his feelings:
"He dying bequeatha 10 his son a good name,
Which unsullied, esccnded 10 me-
For my child I've preserv'di unblemshed by shame,
And IL still from spot shall be free"
That feeling Is mine. Associated with il, is the
sentiment Of ardent gratitude, with which sub.
scribe myself.
., Respectfully and gratefully,
Your fellow citizen.
JNO. MACPHERSON BERRIEN.
Rockingham, Habersham County, 18th Sep.