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The Macon Daily Telegraph. Joseph Clisby. MORNING, DECEMBER 31. I«r Deh*tf ate« to the Convention. HON. E. A. NISBET, COL. JOHN B. LAMAR, HON. WASHINGTON POE CONVENTION ELECTION. The Election for members of the State Con t. and for county officers, will take place ~n one and the same day, and that is WEDNESDAY, the 2d Janua- ry, 1861. |x-t the people take notice. attention, minute MEN 1 The“ M. M.” battalion, under their respec tive will meet in/uR regalia in front of the LANIER HOUSE, Wl Monday night, December 31st, 1860, at half after 7 o'clock. -,T \ full attendance is required. By or ,f the COMMANDER of Battaiion. TH INGS InTi mT’eR COUNTY. We are pleased to learn from a friend, that , , the opening of the canvass in Sumter co., t ;,. [,<»-:tion of parties has been precisely re .... 4. At the outset, the secession party were wilhn- to take one of the 3 members, but were r !,,•!(. The cooperationists were confident of , crviii.’ the county. Accordingly, two tickets A .. pit in nomination, and such has been the I of the secession course, that a day or mo -n.ee. as we are informed the co-operation w .. n came forward with a proposition to decline the contest, if one of their men could be placed on the secession ticket. This was respectfully d.s lined in turn, as the secession men feel cer tain of carrying all three. THE I’ACIFCATION COMMITTEE DIS BANDED. It will be seen that the Senate Pacification Committee was finally disbanded on Friday.— T kh- was not a black republican man on it w would take the first step towards a healing >•••, breach between the sections; and yet, [r eposition is, that Georgia shall open an .1 pink shop of the ultimatums and compro !. - refuse, in the hope of catching some stray >ti with second hand ware. Shall Geor p.A.t itMay Heaven forbid. Let her jh-o . r< member that not an Olive Branch has yet ,ii ext- nded towards them, by a single man a < . . omisds are to shape the black republi can a Immistralion. Let them reinember that , i t >uch man who has spoken, from Lincoln i wn. and every influential press of that party, *, ■:u ly affirm that they will never abate a ~ - l.n uith from the position ofthe black re <wbli an party. THE WEATHER. T - < ver prolific theme for scribblers, ap- ; ar- to be, at present, more out of gear than r. thir streets present an uninviting spec top destriars, who are constantly giving exhibitions, at our street crossings of hops ■ the “ light fantastic toe,’’ much to the - . un nt of bystanders, who care but little •i th-, r you come down right side up or not I hl AN A CERT AIN FOR SECESSION. U are rejoiced to place before our readers H -wing letter from a gentleman of much ,1 experience, and one in whose judg- . o i years’ acquaintance has led us to .1- with more than ordinary assurance ; Nrw Orleans, Dec. 24th, 1860. Mr Di »■; C.: —Thank you for your letter. ) i a-k me to tell you of the state of things \\ ■ 11. I have only .to say that the people : - ■ ■■ ; ? <>f their excited Representatives. H two weeks in Mississippi, and was sat i that the “immediate action” men far r d the ” wait-a-whiles,” as has been ■ tn late election. In this State there is -: h greater approximation to unanimity M -i-sippi. The co operationists will w ningly beaten. In Texas the ex seven greater than in South Carolina. s " all the Cotton States is now put •stion. 1 was a day in Memphis, i k there is no doubt of Tennessee. The Mr. Crittenden's propositions, of which t-»r today by telegraph, will settle the ' K ntu. ky, if there was any doubt be. .. r ultimate action—North Carolina and - i must follow—Missouri and Maryland - nowhere else than with the South, and ' ' Mil now have a “united South.” What wG -d only knows. If civil war en- - which I fear, thousands will be ruined— I p for better things. The West will tiie unrestricted navigation of the Missis . and Ik mg the natural allies of the South, . ha ing nothing to gain by a fight, will. 1 and believe, come into our confederacy. M idle Mate- will find it to their interest ■w. and we may well let New England i ’ Should this be, we shall have peace * “a more perfect Union,” and become • At- -t and happiest people in the world. ' it be. Financial matters are getting ' r here thin in St. Louis, and better I be an any where. Our only salvation now u of the South for the sake of the South. • t*.e 'Htrdcr States taken decided positions ar’.er day, all would have gone well—as - I am hopeful. Yours truly, E. C. CABELL. ■L- NEW YOKE TRIBUNE AND CON. CESSIONS. D New York Tribune of the 20th inst. • : mg on the compromise resolutions, • • d into the Senate by Mr. Crittenden, * ! h were unanimously voted down by '■as Republican members of the commit s thirteen, says : ' - are the concessions, as yet the most - ’c. which the South has put forward un- ■ name of compromise. They demand -hould give up all that a legitimate, '■ UKiunal victory, the fruits of years of la “-puedby deep, moral and conscientious oK-uon has gained; they ask what our an * ! s. m days of darkness and peril, would •»er yield, an 1 they seek togain what, if nec- • - -ary. Would only be snatched back again un- • ” the grow ing anti-slavery sentiment of the A nil at no distant day —snatched back again •'■—fi determination on the one side and resist *’--e on the other would lead to a struggle which this is as child s play. It is a ‘‘■is foolishness to make such comparison now. M e are half through this battle, let us finish it like men, and be done with the controversy forever. FIRE. Last Saturday night about 11 o’clock, flames were discovered issuing from the stables be longing to Col. J. R. AVashington, which were quickly consumed, together with an out-house, belonging to the Blind Asylum, in which Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, had their old apparatus stored. Our Firemen and Military were prompt ly’ on the ground, but owing to the efforts of the citizens and a drizzling rain, their services were not called into requisition. All the car riages and movable property’ were removed, consequently the loss is comparatively small. For the Telegraph. A SCRAP OF AMERICAN HISTORY FOR NATURALIZED CITIZENS. The following extract is taken from an au thentic account of the proceedings of the cele brated Mecklenburg Convention held in the lit tle village of Charlotte, North Carolina, on the twentieth day of May, 1775, by which the first Declaration of Independence in the United States f America teas made: ' “ A Committee consisting of Dr. Ephriam Brevard, Mr. Kennon, and Rev. Mr. Balch were appointed to prepare resolutions suitable to the occasion. Some drawn up by Dr. Brevard, and read to his friends at a political meeting in Queen’s Museum, some days before, were read to the Convention, and then committed to these gentlemen for re-vision. While the committee were out discussing these resolutions, the Convention continued in session, and was addressed by several gentle men. General Joseph Graham, then but a youth, and present at the deliberations, relates an interesting incident. A member of the con vention, who has said but little before, addres sed the Chairman as follows : ‘lf you resolve on independence, how shall we all be absolved from the obligations of the oath we took to be true to King George, the Third, about four years ago, alter the Regulation battle, when we were sworn—whole militia companies togeth er ? I should be glad to know how gentlemen can clear their consciences after taking that oath.’ ” flie Speaker referred to the oath of allegiance to the British Crown, which had been forc ed on the people of North Carolina in 1771, by’ the Royal Governor Tryon, after he had rout ed those who had been driven to armed resis tance by the exertions and tyranny of his Maj esty’s Officers in the battle of the Alamance where the first blood of the war of indepen dence was shed. The account continues: 'fhe question produced great confusion and many- attempted to reply’; the Chairman could, with difficulty, preserve order. This question did not imply fear or want of patriotism. It simply revealed the spirit and tone of the man’s conscience, that he was one of those men bless ed of the Lord, “ who sweareth to his own heart and changeth not.” The excitement that fol lowed evinced the fact that the speaker had struck a chord, that vibrated through the as sembly. An answer must be given, or the event of that days’ discussion, would not be for independence. The haste to answer the ques tion revealed the fact that the community’ felt the awful and binding sanction of a solemn oath, and unless some answer was given, and given speedily, the minds of the auditory would be turned back from the proposed Declaration; for very many were held by the oath exacted by Tryon. Some cried out that allegiance and protection were reciprocal; when protection was withdrawn, allegiance ceased; that the oath was binding only while the King protect ed us in our rights and liberties, as they exist ed at the time it was taken. Others, of more passion than conscience, cried out that such questions and difficulties were all nonsense.— One man at last carried the assembly with him, by a short illustration. Pointing to a green tree near the Court House, “if I am sworn to do a thing as long as the leaves continue on that tree, I am bound by that oath as long as the leaves continue, but whon the leaves fall, 1 am released from that obligation.” This illustration removed the difficulty ; the Convention determined that when protection ceased, allegiance ceased also, and then proceed ed to make that Declaration, of Independence which Jefferson afterwards used as a model in framing that of the 4th of July, 1776. The men who composed that Convention, and pledg ed “ their lives, their fortunes, and their most sacred honors ” to maintain that bold Declara tion, were not only the born, but the sworn sub jects of the English Government, and therefore bound to it by every obligation of fealty which binds the native and the naturalized citizen of the Uuited States to the Government of the Union. But they calmly’, conscientiously, and correctly’ concluded that no obligations of natur al or assured allegiance could bind them to a government w’ ieh o; pi them,and obliged them to submit tamely to its tyranny and its exactions. Their conclusion was right in law’ and in morality ; aud if there is a naturalized citizen of the United States in Georgia who feels the insults and oppressions of the South, but hesitates to give his voice and his vote for her Independence because he has taken an oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States, let him ponder this conclusion well, and he w ill accept it, and emulate the example of these framers of the Mecklenburg Declaration, who broke through all the obligations of an oath of allegiance, and of natural allegiance, to the British Crown to assert their independence RIP VAN WINKLE. ALABAMA ELECTION. Owing to the intervention of the Christmas holiday and the usual suspension of publication on that day, the news from the various coun ties of Alabama as to the election of delegates to the Convention, comes in slowly. But few counties have so far been heard from ; all for secession on the assembling of tbe Convention. Henry Barbour, Macon, Russel, Montgomery and Chambers send up secession delegations. The last named is reported to have given 400 majority for secession, and the telegraph an nounces that the secession ticket have carried that county by 1,000 majority. REPORTS FROM KENTUCKY. Louisville, Dec. 28.—The Governor of Ken. tucky has called an extra session of the Legis lature to take into consideration the course to be adopted by Kentucky in tbe present crisis. The extra session is to begin on the 17th of Jan uary. MONDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 31, 1860. For the Telegraph. Mr. Editor:—lt seems to me that it is at present the duty of every true patriot to con tribute all that may' lie in his povrer, to promote unity among ourselves. The darkest omen of the times is the growing bitterness and aliena tion between those whose differences of senti ment and principle, are far two slight to warrant such feelings. Allow me, as an humble one of the people, to set forth, as I view them, the true issues amongst us, that all may see how nearly we approximate unanimity. As to our rights and grievances all Southern ers are agreed. All would perhaps concede, that if it were possible to obtain satisfactory re dress for those grievances, and reliable guaran ties lor those rights in the Union, it were better to seek them. But that hope is going, nay gone. No matter what the commercial and manufacturing classes of the North would be willing to concede, no matter what political lead ers there would promise, the great body of the Northern agriculturists are conscientiously’ op posed to slavery, and will not be held to any league, treaty or law, that would render them responsible fur its perpetuity or protection. Be lieving, as I do, that they are conscientious in their position, 1 would not ask them to do it. — What then is the next best thing to be desired? I answer, and 1 think every good man will an swer with me, a peaceable die is ion of the Union. The next question is, “how can this best be secured ?" By immediate, separate secession of slave-holding States, as one after another, they come to the conclusion, that they cannot remain in union with the North? Many of our citizens honestly think so. Others think dis. ferently; not as to the propriety of secession ultimately, but as to the best method of secur ing peaceable separation between the slave-hold ing and non-slave-holding States. If there be any who do not desire peace between the two sections, peace in division, division in order to peace, I hope they are few. I know that they will not have any influence in our State coun sels, or popular assemblies, if they will openly declare their principles and wishes. It is not to such 1 would here address myself; but to all those who think that separate State secession will secure or promote a peaceable division of theJJnion. Have the advocates of this policy considered one thing—the national debt of the Lnited States? \\ ill not the adjustment of its share in this liability, be a very difficult point to be settled lor each State, as she retires from the confederacy ? Will it not require a great deal of calmness and moderation and forbear- I ance, to settle such a matter amicably between the Federal Government, and any one seceding 1 State? And will not this difficulty exist in the ease ’ of each seceder? \\ ill not the very’ number of ■ such complicate the matter? Is it at all likely that such delicate negotiations can be carried on amicably in every case ? Is the spirit and tone I of the popular mind favorable to such an ad justment at this time? On the contrary, would not the previous union of the South, and their confederated negotia tions with the North as to the terms o( division, ' the share of the public property, and the ratio of the national debt, infinitely simplify the prob -1 lem and facilitate its peaceful settlement? Are any disposed to conclude from the recent indications of the Black Republican leaders, that they desire conflict with the South? If they do, most assuredly they misrepresent their constituents. The late immense majorities for Lincoln, truly argue the preponderance of anti slavery sentiment. But it is not anti-slavery sentiment of the John Brown type. They would be most glad to be rid of all the respon sibility, as they call it, on the account of slave ry ; and with a neighboring slaveholding na tion, could and would very easily come into terms of unity’. But this breaking up of a part nership without consultation, without agree ment as to terms, is the very way to bring war, despite the reasonable efforts of either party to avoid it. Besides: when other States are sufferers with us, and have common interests, is it right and due to them to abandon them in this hour and post of difficulty ? If they' are disposed to agree to a plan of peaceable disunio 1 is it right to weaken them aud their claims, by withdrawing from them our support and countenance? Do we not owe it to them and to ourselves, to con sult and co-operate with them in all the meas ures which so great an enterprise demands ? “But there is danger in delay,” say some.— And is there no danger in haste ? Is not pre cipitancy and haste oftener the mark of coward ice, than deliberation ? They who are so much afraid that advantages will be taken of us by our foes, manifest too strong a reliance on mere force, and too little faith in a right cause. What if it took a year for the Southern States to con sult and come to a good understanding, and agree upon their claims and measures—would that weaken them ? Would not the unanimity and fraternity, and resoluteness, and deep con sciousness of right, secured to the whole South by such a union, be worth a hundred times as much as all the forts and arsenals she might snatch in immediate and separate State action ? Does any believe that reasonable advances and overtures irom the united South for a peaceable separation, would not be met with a correspond ing and respectful negotiation on the part ofthe North ? If so, he is as much mistaken as those who have hoped for the subsidence of the anti slavery sentiment and action of the North, so long as the Union lasts. No man understand ing the temper of the North tinnks thus. It is equally certain that anti-slavery agitation will continue to break our peace while we remain in the Union, and that amicable adjustment of in ternational relations can be made between the South united on one side, and the North on the I other. It is acknowledged to be a difficult and i delicate matter to settle such relations between neighboring nations, even where they have never been united under one government. This difficul ty is greatly’ enhanced when a nation is to be divi ded into two nearly' equal sections. But the diffi • cullies amount to moral impossibilities, when piece after piece, State alter State rends itself away, each demanding recognition as an inde pendent and sovereign nation, with relations to be settled by negotiation and treaty, and that, too, when men’s passions are aroused. In such a case, separate State action is sure to produce war. Now, we know there are some—many of our citizens, who think otherwise; but can they i blame those who do hold these opinions, for dis- 1 couraging hasty action, and inviting the co ope- < ration of the majority, at least, ofthe Southern < States ? Is this the time for indulgence in mu- ’ tual crimination and the bandying of opprobri- 1 ous epithets ? Can we possibly succeed without l unity among ourselves ? Wherein consists the 1 wisdom or the justice of calling Southern co- t operationists, “submissionists,” “cowards” ’ “traitors?” ’ j Fellow-citizens and brethren, let us cease this disgraceful strife. Let us try to agree; or, at least, let us amicably differ, and all declare our intention to be governed by tbe voice of the majority. Os all means of settling difficulties, war is the most costly. Os all wars, civil— that is, sectional war—is most dreadful. But far worse even than that, is internecine, frater nal strife and bloodshed. Sons of the South, will you lef differences of opinion put you in such a fiendish attitude, distract your counselss, and weaken your hands? If the whites ofthe South are divided amongst themselves, there is but one doom for them. OLIVE BRANCH. From the Charleston Mercury of Friday. THE EVENTS OF YESTERDAY. Charleston was yesterday morning thrown into a state of the wildest excitement, by the news that the United States troops had been transferred from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sump ter. At first the flying rumors were so numer ous and so contradictory, that it was no easy matter to get at the truth ; but in a short time the leading facts began to be pretty well estab lished. It seems that on Wednesday night, about eight o’clock, Major Anderson an 4 his command, having spiked the guns, fired the gun carriages of Fort Moultrie, and sawed down the flagstaff, evacuated the place, and took pos session of Fort Sumpter instead. The ladies, who had hitherto lived in the Fort, had been previously sent to Charleston, and, whatever furniture, ammunition, and provisions that could be moved without exciting suspicion, had been quietly transferred to Fort Sumpter. The report that the defences of Fort Moultrie had been so shamefully mutilated, naturally arous ed great indignation in the city. People im mediately sought the steeples and cupolas of the public buildings, and telescopes were brought into active requisition, to gratify the general curiosity. Little, however, could be described beyond a dense smoke issuing from within the ramparts, and large gangs of men at work unloading the cargoes of schooners into Fort Sumpter. A PEEP AT FORT MOULTRIE. At half past two o’clock our reporter visited Sullivan’s Island. Quietness reigned through out Moultrieville, and it was not until the fort was reached, that he noticed any signs of activ ity. Here, however, was a change. Instead of a mass of smoking ruins, were the well-defined lines ol the fortress, uuchanged, at least, in out ward appearance. Inst d of utter abandon ment on the part of the garrison, the senior of ficer of Engineers and six men maintained pos session of the stronghold. Instead of gaining ready admittance, a stolid sentinel barred the way, whilst a succession of carts loaded with canister and grape, cooking utensils and cook ingstoves, made their devious way to the light er in attendance, to convey the ill-assorted car go to Fort Sumpter. It was easy to sec that the Fort had been virtually abandoned, but it was not so easy to ascertain the full extent of the damage. The barracks were still standing, though stripped of their furniture, and deserted by their tenants. In short, it was plain enough an evacuation had taken place, and that visit ors to Major Anderson were expected to leave their cards at Fort Sumpter. From the citizens it was gleaned that the guns had been tarred and spiked,and that the small columns of smoke rising from the interior, proceeded from the burning gun carriages. One or two, more mysterious than the rest, stated, with ominous shakings of the head, that the whole of the in terior of the fort had been undermined, and that it was perilous to venture within its walls. The effect of the news was immediately visi ble in the streets of our city. The volunteers were out in full force and under arms. The Cadet Riflemen and the Palmetto Guard, with a detachment of City Police, were detailed to take charge of the Arsenal, and a line of pa trols were established around the walls. Tin: OCCUPATION OF CASTLE PINCKNEY. The Rifle Battalion, under command of Col. J. J. Pettigrew, assembled promptly upon the Citadel Green. They were substantially equip ped in winter uniform, with blankets, knap sacks and revolvers. The battalion numbered some 150 men, aud consisted of detachments from the Meagher Guards, the Carolina Light Infantry and the Washington Light Infantry Shortly after four o’clock the word was given, and the companies advanced in double quick time, without music, towards the Cooper River. None of them, we believe, excepting the offi cers, were aware of their destination. They embarked on the steamer Nina, which immedi ately headed for Castle Pinckney, and the sur mise soon became confirmed that the destina tion of the command was to take possession of that fortress. On nearing the fort, a number of men were observed on the wharf, one of whom, in advance of the others, was observed holding what appeared to be a paper in his hand. This was said to have been the Riot Act. As soon as the Nina touched the wharf, the storming party who had been detailed for that duty, sprung ashore and rushed round to the rear of the fortress, where the gate is situ ated. This was found closed, and a cry for storming ladders was soon answered by a de tachment bearing a dozen or more of them.— These were instantly planted, and under cover of the rifles of the battalion, the walls were es caladed and the gates thrown open. On entering the fort it was found to be ten anted only by an officer of Engineers and a small party of laborers —none of whom made any resistance. The Engineer officer was in formed that he was at liberty to leave, and re move his personal effects, and in a few minutes he set out in a boat belonging to the fort ac companied by four other men. From the di rection in which he steered, it is supposed that he went to Fort Moultrie. The flag of the Nina, consisting of a white star on a red ground, was then hoisted amid loud cheers ; and when our reporter left, a strong guard had been mounted, and prepara tions for garrisoning the fortress were well ad vanced. About seven o’clock the tramp of detach ments from the artillery regiments was heard, and the Washington Artillery, the German Ar tillery, the Lafayette Artillery, and the Marion Artillery, making a total of two hundred and twenty-five men, rank and file, under command of Col. Wilmot G. DeSaussure, were soon em barked on hoard the and General Clinch, and steamed away down the harbor towards Sullivan’a Island. Among those on board were Col. Charles Alston, Aid to the Governor, and Capt. Humphreys, of the Arsenal. On reach ing the island these two last named gentlemen approached the gate, and the sentinel, in ac cordance, it is said, with orders, surrendered on demand. The troops then quietly took pos session, and the Palmetto flag was soon waving over the time-honored fortifications. Three rockets (the signal agreed upon) was then sent up, to notify the people in the city that the fort was in the hands of the State, and then the newly-installed garrison betook themselves, as best they might, to devising the ways and means of comfort and protection. Thus far had the affair progressed up to a late hour last night This transfer of the troops faom Fort Moul trie to Fort Sumter is regarded as an outrageous breach of faith. For there was a distinct un derstanding with the General Government, up on the highest authority, that no such transfer would be made, no reinforcement of either of the forte attempted, and no transfer of arms or ammunition. Relying upon these declarations, the authorities of South Carolina had not taken the forts when completely within their power. They have acted with good faith, and expected it in return. Major Anderson alleges that the movement was made without orders and upon his own re sponsibility, and that he was not aware of such : an understanding. He is a gentleman, and we will not impugn his word or his motives. But it is due to South Carolina and to good faith, that the act of this officer be repudiated by the Government, and that the troops be removed forthwith from Fort Sumter. For the Telegraph. REV. J. HENRY VAN DYKE. It is proposed, in the following remarks to put forth a few practical thoughs, suggested by a perusal of the sermon by this gentleman, as published in the Telegraph of the 21st inst. Mr. 4 an Dyke has taken the only ground on which the Abolitionist can be met and logical ly refuted, viz: that slave-holding is right per se, and that its abuse does not make its use a wrong. Unfortunately, the South, at the outset of the controvery on this subject, admitted it to be wrong per se, and defended it on the plea of necessity. This admission was at once seized upon by the Abolitionists, who have made more converts to their party by using the so-called axiom, that “ slaveholding is an acknowledged sin,” than by all other means. Mr. Van Dyke destroys the force of this axiom by an appeal to the laws of God—the true test of sin, and finds that the All-wise and Holy God has, in one instance, expressly established slavery, and has nowhere in his laws prohibited it.— But this dogma has so taken hold of the North ern mind, that many will deny even this au. thority, rather than see the corner stone taken from their belief. No better proof could be de sired of the Bible sustaining slavery, than the fact, that its opponents are forced to take re , fuge in Infidelity to maintain their ground. • It is not, however, to the Northern States alone, that the belief in the essential sinfulness of slavery is confined. There are to be found I in our midst, upright and conscientious men, who believe slavery is not altogether right, and . is justifiable, only because the setting free of f the negro would be a greater sin than the hold -1 ing him in bondage. They hold this opinion be cause tbe true ground of its defence has not been shown them, and they can nowhere find it, except in ponderous volumes of controversy, ; which every one has not time or inclination to ■ read. The staple argument in conversation and writing, is the inexpediency of emancipa ti n, illustrated by comparisons between the prosperity of the slave and the wretched condi l tion of the free negro at the North. Now, J. while these comparisons may be strictly just, and may tend to show the beneficial results of 1 slavery to the negro race, they do not prove i the right to property in slaves. The question ’ is, is slave holding a sin? And’it is high time , for us to meet the question fairly. All argu [ ments on minor issues is wasted while the main question remains unanswered. As was before remarked, many at the South feel a painful sense of uncertainty as to the justice of slave holding, which no argument t from expediency can remove ; some are scarce ly conscious of this feeling and would rejoice to have it removed, yet find it hard to get rid ' of, with the great bulk of American literature • in its favor. This uncertainty of belief is the ( secret cause of much hesitancy to take active measures to protect the rights of our section, at the present emergency. They do not feel sure they are right, and are therefore unwilling to “goahead.” Man cannot move with confi ! dence towards a consummation so vast as the dissolution of the Union on the slavery issue, [ while trammelled by the faintest doubt as to ; the righteousness of his cause. The excellent ; discourse of Mr. Van Dyke will do much for the South in this way. If circulated among the people, it will convince them that right is clearly on their side—that a master has a claim to his slave similar to that a husband has to his wife. When the people of Georgia have but one sentiment as to the justice of that claim, they will not be divided as to the proper method of vindicating it. This is the point where a union of hearts should be sought; not on the time when, but the cause why, this Union should be dissolved; and how can this be accomplished ? The object of this communication is to suggest to the cler gy of Georgia, this noble Northern divine, as an example for them. If slave holding is in ac cordance with the laws of God, let them from the pulpit proclaim it. The sinfulness of any man or class of men is the lawful theme of these preachers, but the defence of innocence from the charge of sin is his duty. Christ de fended his disciples against the accusation of Sabbath breaking, and he is the model for the preacher. The Northern clergy have, from the pulpit, roused that entire section to an earnest crusade against slavery. Whose duty is it to answer them ? Southern statesmen defend our consti tutional rights in the halls of legislation, and explain them to us on the stump; editors do the same through the press; but neither are qualified to defend our moral rights. The min istry make the Bible their study—theii® occupa tion is to exprLnd it—and we have a right to demand from them an answer, whenever the question is of moral right or wrong. And fur ther, while they studiously avoid the subject, does not their silence encourage a lurking doubt—whether the institution is sustained by the Bible? Now is this proper? When the whole country rings with the notes of strife— when men are troubled to know what is right —when Northern preachers are anathematizing Southern Christians for holding slaves, should they remain mute, whose sacred duty it is to point out the difference between sin and inno cence ? No. They should lift up their voices, in the name of Him whom they serve, and if it be sin, exhort us to renounce it: but if it be not sin, they should remove the stumbling block from the path of their brethren. To do this, it is not necessary to introduce politics into the pulpit. No tirade against Abolition is desired —no allusion to any party or person. All that is required, is a simple exhibition of the fact that the right to slaves is fully recognized in the word of God—-that slavery is an institution or dained by Him in the Old, and confirmed in the New Testament. A Northern divine has shown them how it can be done, in the first division of Mr. Van Dyke's sermon; the last three are not required in this latitude. The people of Georgia oa.ll upon their pastors for light on this subject; and it is to be hoped, that each will respond to this appeal by at least one sermon. Such a response will cheer the hearts of many, by giving them a sure founda tion for their faith in the righteousness of slave holding. X. By Electric Telegraph n oiri iFcarolina news ; . Raleigh, Dec. 28.—The members of the Le. gislature have all gone home. Meetings have been held in various counties. The Union sen timent prevails here, but hope is well nitrh gone. WEST POINT CADET RESIGNATIONS. Washington, Dec. 28.—Cadet Ball and Kel ly, of Alabama, Cadets in the West Point Mili tary Academy, have resigned, and their resig nations have been accepted. Special Dispatch to the Constitutionalist. CHARLESTON NEWS. Charleston, Dec. 29.—The laborers who have been employed at Fort Sumter left the fort this afternoon. They positively refused to do military service. It is understood thatthev all left for Philadelphia to-day in the steamship Key-stone State. Lieut. Foster, in charge of the slaver prize brig Bonita, is still in the city. He had one of the slavers before the court to-day, but the Judge declared that he had no jurisdiction over the case, and the prisoner was remanded back to the charge of Lieut. Foster, The prisoner was soon after released from the Lieutenant’s control, and is now at liberty. This is a crumb for the Hon. Isaac Toucey, at Washington, to exercise his intellectual masticator upon. The most interesting portions of the proceed ings of the State convention are conducted in se cret session, and hence I am unable to keep you better posted. Georgia. Special Dispatch to the Constitutionalist. RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY FLOYD— EXCITEMENT IN CHARLESTON—LA BORERS LEFT-GUNS UNSPIKED. t uakleston, Dec. 29—There was consider able interest excited this afternoon, and specu lations freely indulged, as to the causes, when the bulletin board in the front of the Mercury office announced that Secretary Floyd had re signed his seat in the Cabinet. Some thought that**he cause originated from the belief that Mr. Buchanan has determined to send reinforce ments to Charleston—others thought that it might be connected with troubles which have resulted from the late robbery in Washington —and various surmises were indulged. The steamship Key-stone State took about twenty of the mechanics and laborers from Fort Sumpter to-day'. They refused to do mil itary duty under Major Anderson, at the Fort, and insisted upon being sent back to Philadel phia. They left this afternoon at four o’clock, aud, on leaving, gave, from the upper deck of the steamship, three cheers for South Carolina, and three more for State rights. The half dozen guns which were spiked at Fort Moultrie, have been unspiked, and will soon be in good condition, o At Castle Pinckney there are about two hun dred men. Fort Johnson is well manned, and the Pal metto flag waves from all the forts except Sump ter. Troops are constantly leaving the city to occupy former Federal points—and the troops are well provided with necessary comforts and the best weapons for defence. The little Republic is moving on with firm ness and prudence, and her nationality’ is a fix ed fact until she forms a confederation with her Southern Sisters. GEORGIA. WASHINGTON AFFAIRS. Washington, Dec. 29.—The President states that as it was never stipulated by him that the troops in Charleston harbor should be with drawn therefrom, the Administration does not consider that it is under any obligation to with draw them now. And as to the request of the Commissioner for the restoration of the milita ry status of Charleston harbor, this is considj ered by’ a majority of the Cabinet as impossible. Messrs. Floyd, Thompson, and Thomas, who hold to the Constitutional right of secession, were separated from the other members of the Cabinet on this South Carolina question. No positive conclusion was arrived at in the Cabinet meeting to-day, although the action that was taken was certainly not favoroble to the Commissioners. This statement is strength ened by the fact that Secretary Floyd resigned his office to-day. It is said that Secretary Thompson would have resigned also, were it not that the pending investigation of the Rus sel-Bailey affair made it imperative for him to remain. A report prevails, and it is believed to be cor rect, that the Secretary of the Treasury is disaf fected, and may’ resign; he is known to sympa thise with Secretary Floyd’s views. No hope remains now of any adjustment of pending difficulties. The Government is bank rupt, the Cabinet almost dissolved, and the peo ple disaffected ; all seem to foreshadow anarchy and ruin; Congressmen and Government em ployees are daily clamoring for money at the door of an empty Treasury. Washington, Dec. 28, midnight.—lt is said that Secretary Touccy has just received an in timation that an attempt will be made in a few days to seize the Norfolk Navy Yard, and cap ture the Plymouth and other vessels now lying there. Reliable information represents Virgin ia as no a eager for secession. Hon. Mr. Bote ler from the Harper’s Ferry District, thinks that there will soon be only one side to the question in his section of the State. “ REPORTS FROM NORTH CAROLINA. Raleigh, N. C., Dec. 28.—A1l is quiet here. Times are dull. The last of the members of the Legislature have gone home. Meetings are being held in various portions of the State to consider the course to be adopted by North Carolina. Even in those counties where the Union sentiment was lately overwhelming, all hopes of preventing a final dissolution is now well-nigh gone. WASHINGTI >N AFFAIRS. Washington, Dec. 28. —The Senate commit- 1 tee of thirteen broke up to-day, without any ■ concert of action in relation to the present na tional crisis. They will request to be discharg ed next week. The House committee will make the same re- | quest. Ihe South Carolina Commissioners, in view ' of the alleged stipulation, on the part of the I President, that the garrison, in the forts in ‘ Charleston harbor should not be augmented, k J nor the status of the posts changed, request- ed information of President Buchanan, as to whether Major Anderson acted by authority or in consequence of any orders from headquarters. 1 he President responded in the negative, and added that Major Anderson acted contrary’ to the well known wishes of the General Govern ment. The commissioners then requested the Pres- w Cn > Major Anderson back to Fort Moultrie ; but after a Cabinet session of six hours, no definite course was resolved upon. It is understood that the Commissioners will , eir Potion and return home at once, it Major Anderson is not removed. Rumors are rife here that troops have been ordered from Boston to Charleston, bat the ru mors are discredited in high quarters. MARKET REPORTS. Mobile, Dec. 29.—Sales of Cotton to-day, 4 thousand bales ; Middlings 10 J all cents. — Market firm. New Orleans, Dec. 29.—Sale of Cotton to day’ 10 thousand bales ; Middlings at ll|all| cents. I reights on Cotton to Liverpool New Yobk, Dec. 29.—Sales of Cotton to-day 5 thousand bales ; Middling Uplands at llja Icts. Flour firm ; sales of 9,500 barrels.— M heat dull ; sales of 5,500 bushels. Corn firm; sales of 58 thousand bushels; Mixed at G 9 a7O cents. Navals firm. e are authorized to an nounce O. H. SEYMORH as a candidate for Tax Collec tor of Bibb County, at the election on Wednesday, 2nd January next dec 28 d-4t* \\ e are requested and au thorized to announce the name of PETER M. CURRY as a candidate for Receiver of Tax Returns at the JanJ uary election. dec 25 ZjOF’ vV e are authorized and re quested to announce the name of 11. M. LINDSAY, as a candidate for Tax Collector at the January election. dec 25 BT We are authorized to announce J. B. NELSON, as a Candidate for the office of Tax Receiver of Bibb County at the approaching election in January, subject to a nomination of the “immediate secession” party of Bibb county, if any is made. REV. R. A. CAIN. B?” The friends and neighbors of Rev. R A. CAIN, announce him a candidate for election to the office oi Tax Collector of Bibb County, at the election in January nex. [dec 20*] RUTLAND. '1 he friends ol HENRY G. ROSS, announc him as a suitable person for Receiver of Tax Returns at the January Election, subject to a nomination, if any be made. _[decl4-te] The friends of Capt. WM. BONE, an nounce him as a suitable candidate for the office of Tax Collector of Bibb county, at the approaching election in January next. Capt. Bone gave general satisfaction in the same office in 1857 and 1858. MAN Y VOTERS. B? We are authorized and requested toan nonce FREDERICK HARTLEY, as a Candidate for Re ceiver of Tax Returns for Bibb County, at the Election in January next, subject to a nomination if any be made dec 6-te* are authorized to announce JOHN P. COOPER a candidate for re-election to the office ot Tax Collector of Bibb county, subject to the action of a Nominating Convention, should any be held. nov 27 announce my name as a candidate for Tax Collector ol Bibb County, at the election in Jan uary next, and will feel giaiefui io mj mentis and the public for their support on that occasion. djgJL R. A. THARP, Notice to Car Builders. XAM now prepared to cover Cars with Tin in a supe rior style, and at short notice. H. MORCE. dec 31 Office on Cot. Av., op. J. H. Cherry & Co. MACON COTTON MARKET. Satubday.— Receipts 47 bales. Sales 3 bales at 35 at 8,17 at 9Jtf, sat 9&, 55 at 10X, 32 at 10 1-16, 243 at 10, 35 at 9 13-16, 18 at 10X,-total sold, 443 bales. OTRAYED OR STOLEN.—A bay Mare and Buggy.— O S2O reward offered for them. dec 31 JAMES 11. BLOUNT. Protection Fire Company, Mo. 1. V r OU are hereby ordered to appear at your Company I. Room on TUESDAY EVENING NEXT, (January Ist.) at 7 o’clock, for election of Officers. By order of F. 8. BLOOM, Foreman. E. D. Williams, Secretary. dec 31 d-2t TO hipe; \ NEGRO GIRL, good nurse and house servant. Apply to [dec 31] DR. R. H. NISBET. ARMORY HALL, MACON VOLUNTEERS, ) Macon, Ga., December 30, iB6O, j THE ANNUAL MEETING of the Macon Volunteers, for the election of Officers, will take place on Friday night. All members are hereby notified to pay theirdues and sign the revised By-Laws previous to said election. dec 31 U. VAN GIESEN, Secretary, NOTICED I AM now prepared to execute all orders for Tin Roof ing, Galvanized Iron Cornice, Guttering, &c. Mr. A- E. Kimball Will have direct charge of my business in this city, and hopes to receive a liberal share of public patronage. {2&~Tin Rooting in thecountry promptly attended to. H. MORCE, Office on Cotton Av., op? ' f. Cherry & Co. C^Refebence.— B. A. Wise, G. .. Scattergood, D. B. & J. W. Woodruff, V'olney Pierce, W. J. McElroy, oct 31 W. S. Brantly. Light for the Million. [C DAL OIL LAMPS! AT PRICES CST TO SUIT TUE TIMES.I BOLSHAW & HERZOG. nov 27—d *w Prize Bonnets. rpHE Beautiful Bonnets which took the Premium at the i Cotton Planters’ Fair, are on Exhibition and sale at dec2Bd-3t MRS. F. DESSAU’S. Negroes for Sale. ON the Ist Tuesday in January next, will be sold be fore the Cout t House door in the town of Clinton, Jones county, Ga., between the usual hour® sale, a negro woman from 2(1 to 30 years old. She is an excel ’ lent Cook, Nurse, Chambermaid and House servant. Also, a negro girl, about line years old, unusually smart and likely. Enquire of James G. Barnes, Clinton, and also at thia Office. “ ec 29 d-2t 1 ~ "for sale. I OFFER for sale my residence in Vineville. It has all rhe improvements necessary to make it a desirable residence. It is located in the heart of Vineville, and surrounded by the best of society. tso-Mv terms are twelve months credit, for undoubted notes Apply to T. J. PRITCHETT, or, notes, aip » fears & PRITCHETT, j ec 29 Grocers, 3d st., Macon, Ga. SELECT SCHOOL. THE Exercises of my School will be resumed on Mon day the 7th of January, 1851. Both boys and girls received as pupils. . H Terms.—sso 00 a year—one-half payable in aa vai.ee. at the beginning of each session. HI LL . dec 29 d-t Ist feb. BEN J. M. TOMum. XEORO FOR IIIRB- rpHE undersigned has for hire or month k to m [d h ec Kt]“ co£ K- KATCHFORD, fa give a liberal rewara.to any one returning it to me dec 28 d-lt J- T. COXE. DIARIES lor IS6I. V LARGE assortment of the above for sale at novi BOARDMAN’S, x T EGKOES I'OR HlßE—Several men and women.— IN Apply at the Office of dec 28 LANIER & ANDERSON. ATTENTION AKTILLLBY. A your Company Room Tuesday night, at , *• » clock, as business of importance will be transacted. By order of Capt PARKER, dec % No. 283