Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-28
GgoRGTa sTATB CONVEvrToN.

SAVANNAH, March %, 1S6l-The conven-
ton has been il secret session from yesterday
morning till Just before the adjournment this
evening, at half past eight O'Clock.
The report Of the committee on the revised
Constituf ion, with several important amend
ments, was adopted.
Section 7 Of article 5, provides that the
Constitution viii not 20 into effect until rsti-
fed BY the people; and TO this cod an election
is called for the first Tuesday in July, 1861,
the qualified voters casting their ballots for
ratification" or "no ratification"
The address Of Hon. A. H. Stephens, at the
Athsneum, on Thursday night, was a mas
terly effort, and gave universal satisfaction.
Mr.. Hood having moved that the convention
now adjourn sine die, the president rose and
said:
Geatlensa OF The C~onuentios A man must
be inseBsible to the social ~sympathiesl with
wa ich be is surrounded, Lot TO feel and spprs
eiate the approval Of others Of bis conduct,
secondary only to the consciousness Of recti-
tude which usually is less in art than intuition.
Yielding to this influence, so eongenial with
our better nature, I can only offer in return for
your kind expression as to The manner in which
my of7cial duties have been performed, and
say in familiar, yet cordial language, that l
thank you.
Joining in the general opinion and referring
to my Own observation in other large delibera-
tive bodies, ] venture TO say that | have seen
I none which surpass this convention 10 general
deeorum and al the amenities Of social life.
Whatsoever Of patriotic devotion and inteIlec-
tuaI strength that have been displayed here,
may be safely trusted TO the judgments OF men
Of distant times.
Allow me a short retrospect of what you
have done
When first assembled, there was less disa-
gTeement as to the burthen of our grievances
than to their remedy, and especially as to the
time Of its application. Happily, Cancellation
produced concord. When our common patron
ess spoke, her sons, less from opinion than IN
s-iuct, f~0rgetful Of the past and mindful Of the
future, rallied to the rescue. Clssping each
other with a f~raternal grasp, they were less
intent in sharing in the glory thsR in particle
pating in a common peril and destiny. Thus
may the sens Of Georgia ever be.
You have overturned a Government which
had become sectional in pelicy and sectional
in hostility. We had lost nationality, and the
first requisite Of every government-that Of
protection Of person and property. 1Tue, you
have overthrow the Federal Union, but you
have preserved the FEDERAL Constitution. You
have retained cur ancestral wisdom in the for
nation Of your Government, separated only
from those abuses which experience has de-
Veloped.
Like your ancestors, you commenced with a
&c" l'o1AE AuSd5 q piluNltles- AHtl may DC
briefly stated. A right, when assailed must be
either defended OF surrendered, and that a sim
harIty Of interests must produce a similarity Of
action.
The alternative Of the first proposition you
have chosen. That choice must and will be
vindicated. OF the second YOU have made an
election, which your experiences justi6es and
ali history approves.
In the revision Of your own Constitution you
have, in my Judgment, altered and improved it. I
Whatever may have been heretofore the high
standard Of your judges, that standard will be
advanced still higher TO independence and legal
attainment. Reduction Of the members Of toe
Legislature may not have gone as far as many
others have desired, stlll, as a thing, per 50, |
it cannot be otherwise than acceptable. IN all
such matters We must make concessions.
Nothing now remains, after bidding you a
cordial adieu, and wlshing to each a safe re-
turn to his home, but to declare, as ] now Do,
that this convention is now finally adjourned.
Hen. 7. r. r. Cobb, being called FOR, briefly
addressed the convention, after which the
members retired from the hall.