Gazette and sentinel., 1860-08-04
letter from the Hon. Howell Cobb,

Letter from the Hon. Howell Cobb.
In the Columbus Geo Times we find
the annexed letter from the Hon. How.
ell Cob, Secretary of the Treasury, in
reply to an invitation to speak in that
city in favor of the election of Breckin-
ridge and Lane:
WASHINGTON CITY, July II.
Gentlemen | sincerely wish it was
IN my power TO respond at once to your
End and iiattering request, to address
my fellow-citizens Of Columbia and vi
cinity. 1t would afford me no ordinary
pleasure to meet them at this time. |
regard the present contest as Que rising
tat above the ordinary party struggles,
through which we heretofore passed. 1t
involves the future destiny of the South.
1t Is a question Of right, justice aud
equality on the one hand, and wrong aud
degradation on the other. 1t is the tri-
umph of constitutional principles. in the
election Of Breckenridge and Lane. or
the declaration of wal upon the Consti.
tuition and the rights of the South. by
the election of Lincoln and HIamlin-
This is the issue that has to be met. and
onr people should look the danger full
III the face, and govern their actions aC-
coCdingly The part which the support
ers Of Douglas and johnson ~ the south
n the contest is only important in view
OF the strength it gives the Black Re
publicans of the North, by weakening.
the only party and the only candidates
who can, by any possibility, defeat this
reasonable Abolition organization
Surely the recent course of Mr.. Douglas.
and the present position Of his friends
at the North, present no claim t e South
ern gratitude or Southern confidence
that should induce, on their part. a sup
! port of his claims to the Presidency at
5uCh a sacrifice of their rights and inter-
eBts. His withdrawal from t~he'contest
woald at once insure the success of
Breckenridge and the triumph Of con-
Ctitutional principles, whilst his cOntin-
uance IN the field gives aid and encour-
sgemcnt to the enemies Of Democracy
and the enemies Of the South. Under
these clrcumstancCS-apart from the
manifold objections 10 the political doc
Irines which Mr. Douglas and his fac
ton seek To force upon us-it seems
clear beyond dispute or question, that
! there should he a united and earnest eff
fort on the part Of the South ia support
Of the only candidates vino are entitled
to her confidence. and at the same time
have the slightest prospect Of election.
To urge and press uponmy fellow-citi-
zens Of Georgia, these considerations
in favor Of the election of Breckin-
ridge and Lane. To unite my counsels
with theirs, to ward OF the dangers
which threaten ou present peace and
future prosperity. 10 contribute my
efforts tn the work Of preserving the
Constitution from the ruthless assaults
Of its open and secret enemies. 10 Join
my voice with those who proclaim to
the country the firm, fixed and unaltera-
bic purpose of the SoHth 10 maintain her
equality in the C%nion," and to rccog-
nize as worthy Of her loyalty and sup
port no government that does not guar
antee that equality present to my mind
a Geld of duty upon which would glad
ly enter. Nv heart is in the contest.
and YOU may rest assured that | deeply
regret my inability at once to enter the
canvass. and too, upon the soil Of my
native State.
| am, very truly, yours, &c.
HOWELL COBB.
To He'srs. John \ Coue, Charles J. Williams, Robert Z.
biAOu ard n. X Lamar.