Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-04
GEORGIA,

dEOhGlAi
The "Southern Rights Convention" of Geor-
ga, composed of Delegates representing the par
ty in opposition to that known as the "Constitu-
tional Union Party" met at Milledgeville on the
2Sth of May. Col. Henry G. Lamar was chosen
President, and committee OF three from each
judicial circuit were appointed to prepare matter
for consideration. The report of the committee,
presented on the following day, and the action of
the Convention upon it, were as follows:
The Committee, to whom as assigned the duty OF
reporting matter for the action OF this Convention,
beg leave to submit the following preamble and
lutous:
The County is passing through an alarming crisis,
in which the government of the Union has Undergone,
and is in danger OF still undergoing, fundamental chan
ges IN Its iederaye c. aracter By the acts OF the late
Congress, known as the Compromise measures, the
Southern states, being minority in Fedora numbers,
have been deprived by high hand of all their inter-
ess IN the Territories acquired from Mexico: have
been degraded from their condition OF equality in the
Union have been forced to surrender territory, uaques
llonaby and legitimaely their own, 10 the and en-
oyment OF the hirelng States, thereby increasing the
preponderance ct votes already arayed against them,
and have been compelled TO witness and endure the in
sldous act of the ABOLITION OF the slave trade in the
District Oh Columbia " hch only be regarded the
entering wedge to measures intended to end in the
overthrow of Ter cherished institutions. The Govern
ment is undergoing changes equally marked and mo-
mentous in the open assumption OF powers, touching
finance and revenue the collection and disbursement of
the public money, the schemes OF internal improve
ments, and sqanderng OF the public lands tending d.
recy to corruption and consolidation OF the Govern
men and utterly unknown TO the Constitution, as un-
derstood by the makers oflhat instrument and as here
toore interpreted by all parties in the South.
BE 1t therefore Resolced, That in the present
fu crisis 1t IS vhay important Tor the salvation oil the
South and the maintenance OF the rights OF the States
that the Republican doctrines of SO and go as embod-
led in the Virginia and kentucky resolutions, be main
tanned with unflnchng frmness, and that among them
we recognize the following:
2. ReSoued, That The States as separate and equal
soveregnties formed the Constitution
3: Resolred, That each State, by its convention,
delberated upon and determined for lsefIhe question
OF the ratification rejection of the Constitution and
that 1t came into the Union by its sovereign and
voluntary act and that therefore this Union OF
sent and not OF force.
4. Resolp ed, That each State, in view OF the volun-
tary nature OF the Union, has the right in virtue OF its
independence and severe gnty, OF seeding from the
Union Whenever the people thereof in their sovereign
capacity shall determine such step to be necessary
effect their safety or happiness and OF consequence, that
the General Government, has authority TO attempt,
by military force or otherwise, to restrain State in the
| exercise OF such sovereign right.
| S. Resolved, That whenever the Government, by
an exertion OF the common force OF ALL or an appca
ton OF the common funds of ALL acquires territory, is
the duty OF that Government TO all equality of
rights in such territory, and remove all impediments
within lis power 10 the enjoyment OF this equality of
rights.
night TO Withhold lis ection from any species pro-
perty section of the conederacy; and that any at
temps to do so will as clearly evince the hostility OF the
government 10 that property or section, as would any
act OF legislative hostility.
7. Resolved, That the principles of constitutional
equality euunciaed in the two Immediately foregoing
resolutions were violated in the several of the last
SCI SION OF Congress tor the admission OF California
into the Union as State, Tor TIE formation of Terri
torial Governments for New Mexico and Utah, and
iathe bill aboShng the slave trade in the District of
Columbia.
=. Res0LUed, That some redress for past wrongs
and in pursuance OF the spirit OF the Missouri Comprc
mise Congress should obtain the consent OF Califor-
the extension of the line of Sc 30 to the Pacific
Ocean, and that the right of The people of the South
carry their slaves to all the territory South Of it, should
be expli lily acknowledged and secured.
g. Resolred, That the obstruction by the people of
the North to the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave
Law as TO destroy its value to the South, and make
it loss instead OF benefit is equally defeat of our
Constitutional rights as would be its repeal essential
modification.
10. Resolued, That the harmony and safety of this
Union depends upon strict construction OF the Con-
stutlon, and the salvation OF the South hangs up
it. And because for the Constitution it
oppose United States Bank, all protective tariffs
tor pampering section at the expense oil another,
all internal imp oyements by the General Government
and all egisla ion by Congress strictly and clearly
allowed by the Constitution OF the Union
II. Resolved, That we yield to in our attach
mentto the Union formed to Establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence
liberty 10 ourselves and postery; that venera,e
such Union and The Constitution established by our
Fathers insure hone blessings to themselves and those
who come after them-that our object is TO preserve
such Union II can, but at all hazards to maintain
the Liberties and rights of The people OF Georgia.
10; Reso!ued. That this Convention composed of
Southern men. Democrats and Wings, and meeting on
the foregoing platform OF common principles necessary
we believe to the protection OF the rights and lber
ties OF the South, do nominate and recommend Charles
McDonad of the county of Cobb, as their candidate
for Governor of the State OF Georgia. and the exponent
and standard bearer OF their principles in the approach
ing canvass.
Mr.. Virgins moved that the Preamble and resolu-
tons be adopted.
Mr. Schley moved to strike out the 9Th Resolution,
and liter debate, the and nays being ordered, the
yeas were s. and nays 79, so the Convention refused
to strike out.
Mr.. Crawford then moved for reconsideration
The Convention alter considerable discussion agreed
to reconsider and the question of striking out, being
again submitted it was decided in the affirmative.
The question then required upon the motion of MIR.
Virgins to adopt The report OF the committee, and
the Report as amended was adopted with but one
dissenting voice.