The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-06-13
LETTER FROM HON. HOWELL COBB IN REPLY TO
THE COLUMBUS CIRCULAR.
ATHENS, June i, 1855.

~.
THE COLUMBUS CIRCULAR.
ATHENS June L. 1855.
GENTLEMEN: Your circular of the 28th umo re-
ceved by yesterdays mail and in view Of the Importance
Of the subject reply you through the columns Of the
public press.
The proceedings Of your meeting involve the considera
ton Of two propositions lst The danger which threatens
the institutions of the South growing out of the abolition
sentiment Of the North "a The proper policy of the
South 10 meet Ills threatened aggression
A consideration OF these questions win furnish a
peto TO your proposition for united action with tie
southern people on this paramount subject
In 1850 the slavery excitement had reached its highest
point 1t is unnecessary 70 examine the immediate
causes which that juhctre pecpiaed upon the
try crisis which had for lime, been threatening its
peace and quiet The public mind fun Of appreheu
so and every patriotic heart beat with renewed anxiety
and soctude the compromise Of 1850 the
result Of this state Of things They intended to give
repose the country, and nality sectional contest
which seriously threatened the existence of the Union
That compromise commanded either the approval
or acquescenoe of the entire southern people, with un
important exceptions The people Of Georgia, in con-
vention assembled affirmed this action Of the nation
al legislature and expressed their willingness and deter
mnation abide the settlement Conscious Of the dan
ger through which had passed. and apprehensive of
of IT in future that convention asserted in
plain but decisive language the position which Georgia
intended occupy this subject The people of the
State responded this action of their representatives in
convention and thus declared to their brethren Of the other
States that the principles set forth and declared in what is
familiary known rs the Georgia platform would be
firmly maintained by them in letter and spirit The in
corporation important features of that platform into
the proceedings Of your meeting shows that intend to
stand by that action of your Stale Upon this point
feel assured that you will find the people united in heart
and sentiment every Georgian Is prepared to stand upon
-, tt,nl, tba N
lean Union as secondary in importance only to the
rights and principles it designed perpetuaten is
no nnineanng language The Union, it formed by
fathers and we hope and trust to preserve and
pefpcuate il is justly regarded by the friends Of republic
liberty throughout the world as the rock upon which
the God of Nations has planted the beaconght Of free
democratic institutions To destroy that Union TO dark
en- for the time being this light of the world and it may
be- put il forever In immediate conuexion with this
undisguised attachment to the Union, that platform
the of justice and equality upon which It ought
and be preserved No light and trivial are
presented for the disruption of the ties that bind to the
Unionn The violation Of important constitutional rights
which Georgia deems essential her equality in the
Union constituted the hass of her action las lss resort
That position she has calmly and soemny assumed, and
her people are and trust win be- prepared firmly
and resolutely to maintain it. The man who FIRST coun-
sells abandonment 81 the GEORGIA will be
garded if he is treated, a traitor to his State
Congress in accordance with the principles of the Compro
mise Of 1850 understood it, II affirmed the great
principle of popular soyeregntyt denied the right Of
Congress egsate upon the question of slavery the
Territories and pledged Congress the admission of Ne
braska and Kansas with without slavery, the people
Of those Territories might declare for against slavery
in the organization Of their State constitutions This bill
passed after exciting and bitter struggle by the
almost unanimous of the South united with portion
of the national democrats Of the North This action Of
Congress received by the southern people With
ed pleasure They did not feel that they bad gained any
triumph their northern brethren but they did feel
that the North had given through the votes Of portion Of
her national democracy another pledge of fidelity 10 the
constitution OF our country 1t indicated AN
honest regard for the rights Of the Statcs and determine
ton to maintain the integrity of the Union upon Of
fairness and equality Such result could have other
effect than that Of strengthening feeling of security
under the constitution, and warming attachment tc
the Union of our fathers
II with sincere regret that the consequences
of the passage Of the Kansas bill in the non-slavehodng
The violent excitement which every here TO
pervade the public mind OF the North considered om
OF renewal OF the sectional which been
ended upon fair aud honorable every portion Of
the Union. That apprehension i, is be feared will be re-
allied in the future action of The people and the govern
ment the Kansas question, and in view Of the vital in
terest which the South has in the result OF the issue
should look cooy upon the question and deliberately
terrnine upon our line of policy and action.
From present indications it may be regarded fixed
fact that Kansas will at distant day, apply for sdms
sion into the Union with proseyery constitution BY
the bin of the last Congress well by the principles Of
the compromise acts OF 1850 Congress pledged her
admission. Whether she with or without slavery
the bound TO open the doors and admit her
State Her rejection the ground that her constu-
on recognises the institution OF slavery presents one
the most important OF the issues provided for the
an mi uoue
party and people and dissolution Of the Union is