Year: 1860

My DEAR sm-Pardon me for having delayed so long
an answer 70 your letter @ o. c dictated as = was 1y
would have been answered sooner but Of the
tes to whom the enclosure addressed absent
from the city when received, and have only
them within the last day two Mr.. Prenholm is still
| in Columbia, and will probably write to you from


that place. Mr. Mitchell and Mr.. Memminger, regarded,
as you know, conservative men, concur with Judge
Magrah and myself that the course Of South Carolina
cannot be changed and that VISIT under the cir
cumstances OF gentlemen such as you name, however
great the respect entertained for them by people
would be without influence and utterly useless for the
purposes indicated. Indeed, you must yourself have
already seen this for your letter had hardly been writ
ten when Vermont by large majority refused 10 repeal
beT Liberty laws and the discussions in Congress and
the tone Of the republican presses cannot fail TO have
satisfied how little the south has TO expect from any
such change OF sentiment as you inform us going on
with much celebrity at the North. So far from any
change favorable 10 the recognition OF theust claims OF the
south, they tend than to convince people


that there hope for them in the Union and that their
only safety is in being masters OF their own destiny.


The the Northern shall realize this fixed
sentiment Of the south the better and is for the North
% decide whether people seeking their safety under
the sacred panoply their sovereignty shall
be permitted 10 do 80 peaceaby Out of the Unionfee
ready establish with the Northern states
as friendly relations they viii with other people,
or as have existed between them before but Il war Is 10
| be forced upon the south 70 compel her submission
/ her condition Will be no worse than that
which will be ultimately forced upon her by
republican rule Secession, therefore, is the fixed
i determination Of the people Of state, and
which cannot now be changed. | would make single





have been kind enough to send II is impossible to
separate Mr. Lincon's election, although in conformity
with the forms Of the constitution from the fact that be
accepted and became the candidate Of party upon q
platform Of declared hostility TO the South committed
against the further extension OF slavery by claiming TO
exclude slavery from the Territories and looking to the
ultimate emancipation Of the saves throughout the
south by changes in the constitution to be effected in
part by preventing any Increase OF slave States,
thus rendering the constitution, designed for the
safety and, and protection Of all, the smallest and and
nstrument-the misnamed legal instrumental
| our destruction. Mr.. Polk, against his own convic.


ons had to declare that the title of the United states TO
the whole of Oregon unquestionet, because the
| convention which nominated him so declared it and
very reluctantly, he obliged To bring forward his
antar measures for the reason Is II not asking


too much oI the people Of Carolina and the southern
states to shut their eyes to the great principles involved
IN the election of Mr.. Lincoln and to submit simply be-
cause the forms Of the constitution have been oberveds


TO lose sight Of the platform Of principles and policy
which he accepted upon which he has been elected aud
which the party which elected him will claim that he
shall carry ou am, dear sir very respectfully and
truly, your obcdient servant, H. GOCRDIN.


The following letters were also received and read TO the
meeting


FROM AM,sA PARKER.


Albany, Dec 10. 1860
Consultation should longer be delayed to the
to be adopted by the conservative of New York
in the present gency An address from committee
the people Of the South has been suggested-one the
OF General nixs letter ought certainly TO produce
effect. But instead OF that in addition TO 1t, think
delegation should be sent from this state Georgia to be
present at the Convention about To be held there to adj
dress the Convention with indiy ydual
members. As 10 South Carolina nothing probably be
done with any promise of success. But perhaps the
epidemic may be stayed in s progress westward. If
Georgia be saved the States lying OF her in
much ess danger Even II delaying only be obtained


reaction in public opinion at the south may be hoped for
in time 10 prevent separation think the chvarous
feeling OF the South win revolt al the idea Of abandoning
Of the North in effort TO the national admin
straion years hence, view of the fact that
have placed in helpless minorites the North
in struggling to secure the just rights Of the south
AMAsA J. PARKER.
IRON JUDGE A. c. PAIGE.


StusSnTApY, Dec. Is, 1890.
Your circular requesting my attendance at meeting
with view to the adoption Of measures, cal
cuated TO restore the Northern and southern
sections Of our country to peaceful and harmonious re-


ations 10 my hands this day. Ircgret my inability


10 be present in person at the contemplated meeting bat


cordially concur IN III object and my earnest desire is
that measures may be adopted which will heal the pre-
sent dsscfsions between the Northern and Southern
states and reesiabsh more harmonious relations
between them" can see but way TO attain this de-
sirablc result. The Northern states proner
70 the citizens Of the South satisfactory guaran.
that they shall in the future enjoy undisturhed
all the rights pers and property to which they
entitled under the Constitution and that the decisions o
The supreme Court Of the United States In relation TO


those rights Of property, especially in the Territories,
shall he recognized as correct cxposons OF the consu
ton, and shall be respected and obeyed such Under
these decisions upon the principles of law adopted there


n, is apparent that the rights IN slave property IN
the Territories cannot be destroyed or impair
I'd by either Congressional or Territorial legis-
ation. The questions growing out OF the asserted
right of the owners Of slaves In slave state to carry



states ana 10 hold them there merely judicial qucs
tons arising under the constitution and when settled by
the judicial department Of the federal government all fur
ther controversy regard thereto should and
citizen o the United who processes LOYALTY
me suih ana the tnn should acquesce IN such De-
termination The citizens 81 hefee states " they persist


n retrsirg g. fnlthc obligations which the constitution


mIeses uron them, viii have no ground q complaint
aganrt IN. czcns ~ the slave states, II they should Ia


Ike manner decline T. perform their own constitutional
obligations Mt notwithstanding the jus, grounds cf
complaint which The slave states have against thc ci,i
of tho free states, think the latter ind
dy for their grievances the Union And earnestly
spcctive q hls party associations aid IN
vsing Ia accomplish this object, and thus
ADJUST the alarming difficulties which now disturb the
ircndy relations between The North and the south and
mper the integrity Of the Union. Every proper mea
calculated o secure this result viii receive ap
| proNal and support \. & PAIGE
4 FROM WASHINGTON HUSr


LnxPoRr Dec. 12 1850
have Just received your despatch inviting inc TO he


IN New York saturday need not express TO you the
deep pain and anxiety with which have observed the
depofahlc state of our public affairs. AZ times Il has
appeared o that nothing lees than Divine power
Union FRI I'm destruction Aaei that nation
blessed by Heaven should be rent aud distracted and
broken into warrng fragments by the madness OF human
| passions But we must not look with silent apathy
and despair The question constantly itself upon
my mind what = g. be d0ucf Can do anything g. avert
4 he great calamity which impends our country We
ms lock The danger IN the face, and nerve ourselves
4 tor the manly discharge of duty, what may
| What can b. donel II n now evident that W have
reached crisis which will compel the two sections TO
,ne together and agree on new and friendly under
standing, Or else they must separate and form
| taiicnatss. They must consent 70 some afa
/ settlement of the whole slavery controversy,
the subject fItm federal politics, cursing both
sides and form genuine Union, elise dsunion 10
| ,viiahle with the long train u and calamitics
which y sure to follow. Now the North aud south
be brought to friendly understanding Extreme
i In both sections animated by powerful passions will
stand IN the way ~ any just compromise But patriots
who love their whole country not desert their pSt
We must r. main faithful 10 the last We bound
make new and determined Efforts long there l.
ay 0f hrpe Ia cheer In the holy work After much
reflection. " "a that the only solution of
present difficulties must be found Ia National Conven-
tioncaed IN the constitutional mode-and that first
endeavor should be to a. by appeal 20 Congress
and 20 the lovers a the Union, North and South IN
body thus constituted cannot but believe large ma.
ority would finally concur presenting basis ~ Union
which would be ratified bv the and the people In
whatever done At this time Is very desiTablc u have
the cooperation of the moderate republicans who
ready 70 sacrifice their party the country
There such ami trust that the number viii
Increase daily. II may he advisable 10 call state Con.
vtnton IN the first instance TO give expression W the