The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-05-30
Georgia Speaking.
From the Augusta (Ga.) Constitutionalist.] ]

ltrom Inc augusta (Ga') Consutu1onallst'J
BALTIMORE OR RTcHMoND.-The question
for Southern Democrats now TO decide Is
which convention do they desire to be rep.
resented in-the National Democratic Con.
vention, or the Secession Convention-the
convention of the National Democracy, sd-
journed from Charleston to Baltimore, or the
convention called by the seeding delega-
tions to meet at Richmond. 1t is very evi.
dent that the Democratic party is split ssun-
der, and hopelessly divided in each of the
States of the South, whose delegates in
whole or in part, seeded from the National
Democratic Convention. The disruption OF
the seceders is complete, and they evidently
do not intend longer to cooperate with, or
be part of the National Democratic party.
They will an independent sectional organi.
zation, or they will unite with the American
or Know Nothing opposition, to beat down
and conquer the National Democratic party
which will preserve its organization in those
several Southern States. What ulterior
designs this fragment of the National De
mocrocy thus flying off from The main body
may have, whether ultimate disunion be their
purposes, or it be merely struggle for local
on oboxious Democrats, it is not in our pow.
er TO determine. All these motives enters
doubtless into its composition.
We do not doubt, nor would it be just to
deny, that there are some among the leaders,
and many among the rank and file of this
sectional movement, who are stimulated
purely by an intense southern sentiment,
and who fancy they are pursuing the path OF
wisdom and Of duty, in reference to South.
ern rights and interests. We do not doubt
that many of these that made the demand,
fancy that they are demanding something
sofe and valuable to the South in claiming
Congressional protection to slavery in the
Territories. We do not doubt that many OF
those who prefer Congress to the Supreme
Court as the arbiter and vindicator of South.
ern rights Of property IN the Territories, be-
lieve that they ore making judicious choice,
and fancy that the bare assertion OF Con-
gressional duty will achieve such friendly
Legislation from Congress, as will satisfy the
South. But we have os little doubt they
will find themselves egregiously mistaken.
Then consistency will make disunionists OIL
them, for it would be on object humiliation
to demand Congressional protection, and on
falling to get it, submit tamely TO the denial
But however variant the motives of all
and however pure the motives of many, in
this departure from the true principles o
Congressional non.intervention, it is pa pa
BILE that the tendency of this new organz,'
ton is to disunion. 1t is ct war with all
nationality, and if it triumphs its success
will be the destruction of the only national
organization now in the country. The Ma.
tional Democratic party destroyed, there il
no cohesive power left to hold the several
sections of the Union together. 1t is an
impcssibiity for the Richmond Convention
to rally to its support, either on platform
or candidate, a national party. In its eIe.
ments, and lis aims, it is sectional-a one
idea party, and if it obtain an organization
and foothold at all in any Northern State
1t will be Sii organization powerful only to
weaken the National Democracy OF that
section, and TO strengthen the chances OF Q
Republican for the Presidency.
Let conservative men, therefore, of al
parties, and of all shades of opinion examine
the ground carefuly-judge calmly, patriot
ically, and decide deliberately in which di
rection duty points--to Richmond or II
Baltimore.