The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-03

trating il, or fail 10 fulfil my duty to Won,
which demands frank expression Of opinion
in CRISIS like the present.
But are these sentiments inconsistent with an
ardent devotion TO the Union Nay, do they
not spring from il? Does any one ask whether
an a Union man! Does he wish 10 learn
whether have ceased TO love and revere the
memory of him who gave me birth--whose
youthful sword was neshed in the achievement
Of those liberties, which union established
TO secure Does he mean TO enquire whether ]
have forgotten the lessons OF my childhood, as
they fell from bis lips! Is it bis purpose to
ask whether intend TO close life hitherto de-
voted to the public service by in'ideIIty to those
sacred principles which with whatever ability
God has given me, have labored TO maintain
Bound, irreyocably bound-wedded as ] am to
the preservation of tie I ace and harmony OF
the Union, by every social and sacred tie---by
the obligations which owe to patriotic and
generous people, who through evil and through
good report, have still sustained me--by an af-
lection it may be- too ardent for that noble State,
which from infancy to age has been the scene
of my most cherished enjoyments- beneath
whose soil are the graves of my parents and
my children, where ! too must shortly rest
and which is at once the heme and the hope Of
those who survive. Does he mean to enquire
whether, reckless of these ties--faithless to
these obligations -insensible to these feelings
would raze the tenple of freedom, erected by
our fathers, and bring upon this favored land
all horrors of civil, intestine, it may be servile
war? Let the unpretending story of life which,
from infancy 10 age, has been passed among
you, return the answer have none else to
give.
But from various quarters, the question is
propounded to me, will you act with the consti-
tutiona Union party? and it shall be answered
frankly.
adhere to the decision of the convention.
With these representatives of the sovereignty
of Georgia, have lively recollection of " the
aggressive spirit of representatives OF the non-
slave holding States," with which "we have
long combatted," and feel with them, that the
sources of this turbid stream lie beyond the
Halls of Congressman they are to be found
in the midst of their several constituencies p
agree with them, that the meeting of the con-
vention afforded fit occasion for the sover-
egn people of Georgia. to commune with the
sovereign people of those States" TO demonstrate
calmly and frankly with them, and "to recall
them to sense of their duty as confederates."
And although find in the compromise meas
ures, as they did, matter for objection and
matter for approval" though like them, do
not "wholv approve" them, yet like them, !
will, abide by it," and will unite with any par
ty, or portion of my fellow citizens, whose con-
duet as party, shall conform to spirit thus
manifested by this patriotic body. Like them,
"impelled by an earnest desire to perpetuate
the American Union" am anxious 70 "restore
that peace and harmony on which its value !"
depends-and with them, am willing to let by
cones be by gones," in the cherished hope that
"brighter hours will come" If these opinions
and these feelings make me constitutional
Union man, here then is the pledge of my fealty.
But, if beyond this, | am required to say
what the convention have not said-to affirm
What they have expressly contradicted-f, in the
face of the long continued manifestations of an
aggressive spirit on the part of the n-slave-
holding States, which the convention denounced
10 the language of calm, yet manly remon-
strance, it is exacted from me to say that Geor-
gia has sustained no wrong--it, while they de-
clare that there is in the compromise such mat
ter for objection" that they cannot "wholly APP.
prove IT," | am required to say, not only that
there is in it no matter for objection, and that
wholly approve it, but also, that it is fair, just
and equitable--a source of triumph and gratua-
ton to the people of Georgia--then | have tc
say, non hcc in federal cannot enter into
these bonds. | will not war upon the conven
ton. This is neither their language nor spirit
It is in direct conflict with all they have said OF
done. cannot swallow my own words
cannot unsay, to propitate the favor of party
what, under the obligations of my oath, l have
said in maintaining the rights of the State
cannot stulify my self, lest ! should invade th'
province of that reverend gentleman, and gal
T. "A b,
does me the favor to sit in judgment on my sea
pacity." ! cannot enttle myself to the forgive
ness, which in such q truly gentle and patron
izing spirit, is vouchsafed 10 my alterations
cannot hope to remove the serious doubts o
the many patriotic and intelligent men, who hav,
unburdened themselves to the nominating con
vention of Richmond No, felow-citizens, whel
accepted with profound gratitude to those VIII
bestowed it, seat in the Senate of the Unite'
States, made no surrender Of my privileges a
free citizen Of Georgia retained my right
az a man, and could not dvest myself of my oh
legations as an accountable being dragged be
fore the public to repel an unfounded imnutatio
on my personal integrity, at moment like this
it is both my right and my duty to speak tn
truth, "without fear, favor, affection, or the hop
Of reward" unawed by the menace of party pro
scrption, and unseduced by the hope Of conci
ating opposition. To the decision Of the peo
pie of Georgia, as il has been announced b
their representatives in convention assembled,
yield a cheerful obedience, and will cordial
unite with any party, who will adhere to il, wit
fidelity, by whatsoever name that party may b
distinguished. BY that decision, the people o
Georgia, implied by an earnest desire to perpetu
ate the Union, and to restore the peace and har
mony, so iudisputable to the accomplishment o
that object. agreed 10 throw veil over past aa
gressions, the existence of which they did no
deny, but ssserted-to acqniesce in the comprc
mise, not phoiiy to approve it--not TO euloR'ze
not to proclaim it a triumph to the Sout
above all, the convention did nothing to az
thorze the formation under it's auspices, of
proscripiipc party. They opened wide the POI
tails Of the temple Of freedom, and called to thel
frnternal embrace, all who cordially and faithful
unite with them, in maintaining the principle
which they proclaimed as essential TO the pres
ervation Of the Union--I am willing to beev
that the great majority Of those who are range
under the standard OF the constitutional Unio
party, are not sctuated by the same just and lit
eral spirit will not permit myself to thin
that the prospective spirit 40 very strikingly e'
hibIted by the Richmond fraction Of that gres
party, Is Characteristic of their associates Cor
slider for a moment what II Ia they have don'