The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-06
III, southssn SHAREHOLDERS and the Pre,i-
denCy.
no ruE EpTToR oT rHE III

TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD.
Will you permit Georgian 10 correct an evident
Misrepresentation into which think you have fallen
ia your comments upon Mr. Toombs' letter, publish
ed on the 3lst ult.g
In regard 10 the proposition o. Mr.. Toombs, that
." the election Of Mr. Fremont would he the end Of
The Union, and ought to be-, you assume that be Is
only speaking the sentiments Of the aristocratic
minority Of Shareholders and that the I've hun
dred thousand non-slaveholdeIs would prefer the
Union and political degradation under Fremont, to
the terrible alternative Of secession and probable
ruin.
IT'S my fortune to belong the Southern aristo-
crscy OF slaFeholders.r though do not happen to
be included In that more aristocratic minority +"
who own more than FIVE slaves. think, however,
that from come experience and a large observation
Of Southern affairs and sentiment, I may be sup
posed 70 know something Of Southern feeling, and
| have no hesitation In saying that Mr.. Toombs has
faithfully expressed The sentiment Of the entire
south, except. possibly; 2 smau PerHen y , Men
for slatistca-permit me 10 recall statistical remi.
nisccnce. Ia 1850, the entire South was profoundly
sgitated In regard TO the measures Of compromise
passed by Congress IN that year. In Georgia,
Nv legislative enactment a large convention
Was called, 70 decide what action might
he necessary lo1 Georgia 70 take under the
circumstances. The canvass was conducted with
great ability, and was the most intensely exciting
one ever witnessed ia the State. IL j. perfectly
wen understood and authenticated fact that the dis
union party was chiefly composed Of n0nslayehold.
ers-that class upon which you rely m case OF Mr.
Fremontis election; but the Union party trumphed
by hlndscme majority, and in solemn convention
declared that the repeal Of the Fugitive Slave law, or
the refusal BY Congress Of admission into the Union
Of any state making application with proslavery
constitution, would make the duty Of Georgia 70
retire from the Union. Most, If not all, Of the South
ern states have ratified this decision and stand upon
the Georgia PLATFORM" 40 that the Union party
south, embracing nearly al the shareholders have
formally and solernnly declared that the happen.
ing OF either Of the above contingencies il viii be.
come the high duty Of the South 10 seek that safety
end independence ont of the Union which Il viii
then have lost 10 the Unsn. But intended to call
attention chiefly to the fact that, in 1860 the non.
zayeholders were almost TO man, dsunion men.
and 20 they would be in 1857 should circumstances
compel the South TO adopt the terrible alternative OF
disunion. The reaeons Tor this devotion TO their
section are perfectly honorable, and consistent
with the highest patriotism; have not time TO ex.
plain them; this communication is already too long;
but know them; there is in their bosoms feeling
OF manly independence and Of loyalty 10 the South
which will constrain them in company with their
friends and neiQhbors the shareholders, 70 retire
promptly, but sorrowfuly, from Union IN which
they could not share upon terms OF perfect equality
all the blessings that Union was intended 70 bestow.
:. Roor.
RorSb HUI, NoRrH ANTON, tGa) Aug. |, 1856.