The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-04
Address Of Hon. J. Macpherson RerrieB.

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 cnlighten-
ing the public mind on the various topics,
which belong, or are suppose 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
claSaes OF our citizens.
/ have not witnessed this state OF things
with indifference or unconcern. On the con-
trnry, 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, bat
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, as these have been delivered in the
Senate Of the United States, and in public adj
dresses, remain unchanged have uniformly re-
commended acquiescen,e IN the decision OF the
people of Georgia in convention, aud have urged
the indispensable necessity Of union among
ourselves, for our protection against future ag-
erosion.
Standing thus on the ground marked out by
the convention in December ast-haying vim
-; obt of hn
United States, and been cheered by repeated ex-
lressions of your approbaton-baving through
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having often and publicly repealed tn, idea that
disunion was the proper remedy for the wrongs
of which we complain, was content, so far as
was personally concerre ed, to await the result
of discussions in which could not participate.
| in the consciousness of having, to the best Of
my ability, discharged my duty to you, and OF
having thus, however imperfectly, manifested
the gratitude which | felt for the long con.
tinued conf ence with which you had honored
! me. ....l.. a,,.
This position have not been permitted quiet
| " to hold In the seclusion which circumstances
have forced upon me-with my anxiety constant
! " excited by domestic claims requiring all my
care and attention, have been met by denunci.
atoms Of infdelity to the State, Of whose inter
! ests am declared 10 be an "unsafe" represent
alive. Stating their understanding that am a
candidate for reelection, the nominating conyen
ton Of Richmond have not merely instructed
their representatives TO vote against me, which
| il was their right to do, but by resolutions for
malIy adopted, and ostentatiously published
] L., tn th.,n nf rrin nf
serious doubts concerning my opinions on the
compromise measures are entertained by many
intel igent and patriotic men, so serious, as to
render my reelection impolitc and unsafe.
Now, the gentlemen composing this conven.
ton, are for aught know to the contrary, very
worthy and respectable persons. | desire t.
think so. ! do think So of such of them as are
known TO me- These resolutions | would fair
believe were adopted without any very careful
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
lr,fcrrng-that like many proceedings in sucl
conventions, the party purP So To he accomplish
ed vas agreed upon, and no very careful consid
Grafton given tu the terms which were employee
TO carry that purpose into effect.
However this may be, one of two conclusion
il inevitable. II IN, Sc resolutions were careful
IL examined and adopted. without understand
Ing The serious charge which they preferred, tn
intelligence Of those WAC so examined. and with
out slch understanding adopted them, is 40
} merely questionable II with an understandin.
of the false and u founded charge which the
PREFER ID against my integrity they Deliberately
usher.d them to III" word, they have violated
} the pIainest and most ohviuus principles Of jus
, tee, and have manifested an utter disrcg1r I'd 0
he obligations which man owes TO his fellow
man. Il This il strong language, il is the Ian
guagc Of = man whose integrity has been wan
tonly inpeachcd is falsely accused Of sue
in-nrcrity in the declaration nf his politica
npirions, and such consequent infdclity TO tn
Stgte, n renders him an unsafe" reprcseutatiy
&C her interpsts--I do not mean 20 practice upO
the maxim, that those who give blows, shoul
make up their minds 20 receive them. IL il in
deed difficult 10 r"pre~s the expression of th
feeling which snch imp tatiOns are calculate
. 10 excite in the breast % one cOnscOus. an, il
me add prouilv cou>cior- Of having LAHORE
} through the whole of this nhlppy controversy
with a sole flew 10 the preservation Of the peac
md harmony of The. Union, and 10 the vindici
ton &c tho constitutional and cherished rights 4
a State which il ~ once the home Of his aiIeC
tons. and humanity speaking. the boundary 4
his hopes. But while exercising the right z
,elEdcfcnca. will endcavor t. restrain the cN
Irassion Of this FEELING, y thin the limits pr,
.cribed b. the respect. which.is Justly due {
hose 10 whom address myself
The obyious course on this occasion i, to en-
quire-
? lat What il is which tbpsc resolution
D.. either Directly or indirectly assert!
ID How ftr in either aspect they are cor
= lo,,s
preliminary remark.
The Convention have proceeded in I'll
. matter. on their understanding. that am n cat
dilatp for reelection TO the Senate cf the Unite
n States. Now pray 20 enquire BY what meat
g, this understanding was obtained ! la,
! made no such announcement 20 the pnblic
have or my situation had permit ed,
q would not have) canvassed the State to sole
any mans vote. Assurc5y, ] have made n
such anuour emcnt. ! have presented no sue
solicitation 20 the gentlemen composing th
. convention. repeat the question then-Ho
II was this understanding obtained ] think