Year: 1860




MACON, Ga. Dec. ., 1860.
The Sentiment Of the Soutt-WW there te Secessioa?-


What the People 7hiak aud Say, &c.


The revolutionary feeling here to be deep seat
ed sentiment in the bosoms Of all classes Of people al
though with differing degrees Of intensity Those who
aim at utter apb final separation from the save-
holding States the fcwest in number, but the most
excited in action and violent in cSprcsson while among
the majority there at bottom love for the Union our
fathers made and desire to pcrpeuate the benefits il
conferred provided the fratcrnal which pervadcd
the spirit which the federal compact was once held
can be restored in the North well as in the South Blu,
the unanimous sentiment here isthst there can be NO
fraternity without equality that the idea which lies at
the basis Of the black republican psry-hat the states
having the institution Of slavery must not only be
cuded from the Territories but also bcltcd round with
line Of free States with hostile social 0ganizaon-s
the most complete denial Of equality TO the slave States
in the unon and therein is insulting every citizen Of
them This reduces the question the point Of honor
to that point where every interest where all questions
dollars and cents discarded and the takes
the form which the nobcr and the passions
alike in self.defence.


Under this impulse Georgia will initiate the anticipated
action OF South Carolina and by convention OF dele
gates Of the people declare the State out d the Union after
the Sd Of March next. takng this Is supposed
Dy leaulng men mere lndt IleTe VIII
Of 6ve and probably of eight States aud that these
federal authority viii be allowed to be exercised from
the moment Mr. Lincoln takes his seat in the Presidential
chair What practical STEPS win be taken after that time
in regard to the and other federal laws yet
developed There evident disposition arrange all
matters relating to property rights of the federal go.
vernment and other similar questions in arnicable
manner although some Of the enthusiastic
sons,s hope that collision viii take place and blood
no mill This would unite whole "A
resistance, and be hailed second Lexington IN Ameri.
history rendering al sncable arrangement mPossi
bic.


AS TO The practical ing of secession there as yet
combined plan of operation on the part OF the States
rcsuming their rights OF sovereignty in fun per
mittcd 10 send you the following extract from letter
written two days since by leading secessonst ia South
Carolina to a gentleman in this city


eve all Of Of thinking here 10 the main
end but there is blindness, an ncapaciy, unwil
lngness look into the future which causes no little
disauetude, and fear the trial II yet 10 come.
But go out we will, cost what II may eventually,


This state of things leaves the public mind here, and
in scath Carolina well disposed TO receive impress
sons the tone Of the Presidents Message and the
discussions thereon in Congress Should these be mode
rate and the proposition for National Convention 10
amend the constitution rs 10 recognise the equality of
the States the common Territories and protect the
South from Congressional action IN hostile TO
slavery be well received in Congress and in the Northern
States all may yet be well. But should the black repub
lcan members take defiant pos tion ON the floor Of Con
gress and the idea Of National Convention be rejected
In the North, nothing can save the tncn Is Of no
avail 10 tell southern that fighting for the right
to carry slaves into the Territories he contendng for
an abstraction the reply immediately that f is an
abstraction for the South, IL is much for the
North for natuve obstacles and private interests pre-
ven slavery from gong into the Territories the North
should endeavor 70 force the South TO give up the alb
sract right Of equality this would convey concession
Of honor where no practical benefit would be gained by
the other party.


From the conversations have had with many public
men and private citizens here am led 10 believe that
although the coming convention viii declare the State out
Of the Union from and after the 9Th of March and may
authorize aud instruct the state 10 resist aud
prevent any exercise OF federal authority within Its lin
s that day, stih the state viii into National
Convention 10 reestabllsh the federal compact " IL can
be done a basis of equality But II II impossible 70
the fact that all the young men, Of whatever 20
tcal creed hitherto united for secession aud
that there h yet no indication OF wish po~sib
" the part OF the older men 10 restrain them.


Although the most active secession movements in
The towns have been struck with the feeling
dispiaye by the country people IL Is not violent In
character, but evinces calm aud trm determination 20
defend their social Institutions principle from North
ern agrees which bears In iis appearance marked
resemblance the general anti slavery feeling witnessed
Ia the rural districts Of the North Deep seated calm
and careless Of consequences.