Newspaper Page Text
THE
sapwaosmsa'
h published every SATURDAY MOR.VI.YG,
In the Two Story Wooden Building, at the
Corner of Walnut and Fifth Street,
IS THE CITV OF MACO.V, GA.
By WH.B. IIAKRISOy.
Union meeting.
In conformity to notice previously given, a
very large number of the citizens of Bibb county
met at the Court House in Macon, September
26th, at 11 o clock A. M., when on motion of
J. A. Neshit, Est]., Ger. James W. Armstrong,
tnd Hon. T. G. Holt, were appointed Presidents;
Messrs. James Smith, J. H. R. Washington,
Joseph Bond, A-F- Powers, John. J. Gresham,
A. H. Chappell, Jiobert Findly, C. B. Cole, A.
F. Sherwood, a») William D. Williams, Vice
Presidents: and Messrs. R. S. Lanier and Thos.
Hardensn, Jr. Secretaries of the meeting.
Hofi- T • G. Holt, one of the Presidents arose
and in a calm, temperate but impressive manner,
explained the circumstances which gave riseio
so gerat an assembly of the citizens. He said,
the object of the mcetiug, as he understood it,
was to deliberate upon and adopt measures best
calculated to oppose the efforts now manking for
a dissolution of the L nion, that by the Proclam
ation of the Governor, just made, in conformity
loan act of the Legislature, calling a convention
of the people by delegates, a grave duty devolved
upon the citizens of the State—and especially so
in view of the momentous issue which had just
been made, and which they were now to decide
—union or dissolution ; that he knew not how
others felt but for him he was fur the Union ; and
exhorted his fellow citizeus, whoconcurred with
him to organize in view of the approaching elec
tion in order to arrest secession and preserve the
confederacy, which secures so many blessings.
Hon. Washington Poe then arose,and after ma
king some appropriate preliminary remarks, of
fered, for the action of the meeting, the follow,
ingplatform, &c.:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
The last Legislature passed a law making it
the duty of the Governor, in certain contingen
cies, to call a Convention of the people of Geor
gia. One of these contingencies has happened ;
California has been admitted into the Union,and
his Excellency has issued his Proclamation ac-
cordingly.
The object for which said convention shall
assemble has not been distinctly defined in the
Act; still from the Proclamation of the Governor
and the sentiments boldly announced by cerlain
newspapers and certain speakers we are forced to
the conclusion that the real purpose of its friends
is, to bring about a dissolution of the Union.
The citizens here assembled profess an ardent
devotion to this Union. It was the the creature
of compromise and is rendered sacred by the
memory ofa patriotic ancestry. Under it we have
rapidly advanced to national power and distinc
tion. Individuallly and as a nation, we have
never been so prosperous ns at the present mo
ment. Our country has been the proud refuge
nt the oppressed of every clime, and the “stars
md stripes” wave in triumph upon everv sea.
We hold that such a Union, fraught with such
blessings, ought nut to be endangered except for
grave and important considerations. If it should
tie dissolved, the last hope of the friends of re*
iptibli nil liberty, will be swept away ; and thi s
Inst, great effort at self-government will become
a bye word and reproach among the tyrants and
aad despots of the old world. As patriots, we
cm see no good cause fir encountering such con
sequences on account of any tiling which has
transpired.
The measures which have recently reccievd
the sanction of Congress, though not such ns to
meet our entire approbation, arc nevertheless
nirli as “the South can honorably acquiesce in.”
I.—ln organizing tlie Territorial Governments
far Utah and New Mexico, Congress repudiated
the hateful Wilrnot I’roviso.
2-—ln arranging the Texas and New Mexico
Boundary Bill, the North conceded such terms
ns were satisfactory to the Senators and Repre
sentatives ofTexas.
3.—ln passing the Fugitive Slave Bill, they
yielded to Southern men their own terms and
authorized them to frame its provisisions to suit
themselves
4—Even the regulating the Slave Trade in
the District, is believed to meet the approbation
turn of the people mainly interested therein.
All these measures, with the exception of the
last, were violently opposed by the Free soilers
and abolitionists in Congress, as well as by every
abolitionist and every abolition press in tli e
-North. The whole of the measures,taken togeth
er,are regarded by tho free soil papers as a triumph
°f the South. The Albany Evening Journal holds
'he following language in announcing the result:
“Another tukiumph for Si.very!—Free
dom's Banner trails in the dust at Washington !
Slavery has achieved another triumph ! Twenty
five thousand square miles of Free Soil has, ill
last half of the 19th century, by an act of the
American Congresa, been surrendered to slavery !
And amid the clanking of newly-forged fetters,
've hear tile craven voice of exulta'ion ; Yes,
-Northern throats are hoarse with rejoicing at the
.victory obtained by Slavery over Freedom ! Oh,
[that some avenging angel would blot out the
■disgraeefsi record, that our posterity might be
•pared the ninrtifiention of blushing at the de
mocracy of their Fathers !”
The only issue then is in regard to California,
®nd the simple questions for the people of Geor
gia to decide are: Will they leave the Union
because California has been allowed to come in
to it? Will the people ofour State,with all their
profession of strict construction and of reverence
for the Constitution, raise the standard of revolt
“gainst a Cons itutiouul act of Congress ?
'V hatever may be the irregularities in the pro
"edmgs which led to the formation of the State
Government in California,it docs not become the
‘ '"itli to forget that she appioached Congress
"ith a republican Constitution, framed at the
'iggestion of Presidents Polk and Taylor—both
"'Biern Presidents, and both enjoying the con
vince of the Southern people. The people of
Uhfornia, in conformity with the principles of
'"gressional non intervention, always lecogni
at the South, settled the question ofslavcry
r tlieinselves. In a Convention, composed of
" lllre Gian one third Southern men, slavery was
5 'uded by a unanimous vote. It is use'ess
"» to speculate upon the reasons which
' n pt9d Southern men thus to give tip a cher-
THE SOU THE ROR ITU NE^
NEW SERIES —VOLUME 11.
• shed institution. It is hardly probable that if
thpy bad been convinced that the soil and cli
mate of California were adapted to slave labor,
they would have permitted the institution to be
excluded without a struggle. While, there
fore, we may regret that the people of California
have settled this question adversely to the South
—yet as good citizens, we feel bound to ac
quiesce, provided we can do so, consistently with
our interests and our honor.
If slavery can be introduced into Californiu at
all, it can be done jugt as well under a State as
under a Territorial Government. If slave labor
can be made profitable in the mines, the people
there, whether Northern or Southern men, will
find but little difficulty in changing the funda
mental law. If tho climate and soil, however,
should prove unfriendly to the existence of
slavery, then it is better for the South that Cali
fornia should have been admitted just as she is.
The Convention which framed her constitu
tion canvassed this question carefully, and arriv
ed unanimously at the conclusion that a division
of the country by the line of 36 deg. 30 min.
would not enure to the benefit of the South. In
the Report of the proceedings of the Convention
we find the following :
Dr. Gwin, a delegate from San Francisco, said:
“If any portion of ouj population are opposed
to slavery, perse, it is that portion South of 36,
30 . It is utterly unfitted to slave labor, being a
grazing and grape country, with a few rich val
leys, and extensive arid plains.” See report,
page 443.
Mr. Carrillo, a delegate from the South said:
“Some gentlemen have said that the South
prefers a territorial organization. This a great
mistake—l might almost snv, a falsity. It has
likewise been asserted, that the people of the
Southern part are in favor of slavery. This is
entirely false. They have equally as strong a
desire as any portion oftlie people" of California
to avoid slavery.” See report, page 446.
Mr. Lippitt, delegate fromSanFraneisco,said.
“There is not a member on this floor who be
lieves that slavery can exist South of 36 deg. 30
min. Whatever desire the South might have to
introduce slavery there—tho fact that it is utter
ly impracticable to do so—that it can never exist
in that region—is suflicient to preclude the idea.
If the Territory is divided at all, (that is South
0f36 deg 30 min.) in accordance with the Com
promise agreed to, between thetwogreat parties
(the North and South,) it will be erected into a
free State by the action of the people themselves.
There is no division between the Northern and
Southern population of California oil this subject.
Consequently if it becomes a separate State, it
will lie a free. State, and instead of one, there will
be two free Stales ” See Iteport, page 449.
These extracts might be multiplied indefinite
ly. Enough, however, is given to show that the
division of California by the line 36 dg. 30 m. as
proposed by Nashville Convention, would have
resulted in admission of two free States instead
of one, and of four free Senators instead of tico.
Uvider such circumstances and with such facts
staring us in tlie face, we cannot as patriots and
Southern men,consent to favor a dissolution of
the Union, because California has been admitted
with her present organization, without a curtail
ment of her present limits. Wo utterly deny
that the Legislature had any light to commit the
people of Georgia to any sueh alternative.—
They usurped power and sovereignty which be
longed of right only to the people. We further
solemnly protest against a Convention, called
for insufficient reasons, and clothed as this will
be, with all the attributes of sovereignty, and
empowered :o act in the last resort, upon the
grave issue of Union or Disunion.
The dangers that would atttend a dissolution
of the Union, we regard as a paipaiiie and immi
nent. In oitr opinion, it would be followed by
the most disastrous consequences.
1. It will gainfor the South no additional guar
anties for liercherislied institutions. It will not
check the spirit of fanaticism at the North ; nor
secure the extension ofslavcry into California.
2. It will result in a civil, perhaps a servile
war, which would absorb all our resources,force
us into a system of direct taxation, and render
property less secure than at present, both in
Georgia and in the border States.
3. It would compel the slaveholders in the bor
der States to push their negroes into the South
ern markets; and thus force the planters of Geor
gia and adjoining States topuyVirgin in,Kentucky
and Majyland for manumitting their slaves.
4 It would force the more Southern States,
ultimately to secede again from the new Confed
eracy, or to fall back upon separate State organ
zntions, and thus give to the South a set of petty
States, without cither power or respectability.
5. Under such circumstances, the people of the
South would have neither men nor money with
which to carry slavery into California. They
would not even be able to retain it at home,
much less force it across to shores of the Pacific.
6. All those causes operating conjointly,
would limit the erca of slavery to a few of the
South Atlantic and Gulf States—where the land
would soon become exhausted—where labor
would cease to remunerate —where the slaves j
themselves would be worthless, and the institu
tion become a tax upon the people.
7. The final results of the whole matter, would
be, that the owners would be compelled to abof i
ish slavery in self defence—because the proper- 1
tv itself will become valueless, and they would ■
have no means left to support it!
Here then, are some of the curses of dissolu
ion; and in our candid opinion, if the Union
is severed, it will not require a quarter of a cen
tury, to consuinate this magnificent scheme of
mischief and ruin.
As patriots, as Southern men, we can give no
countenance to any scheme which would be fol
lowed by such probable results. We cannot
consent thus to lower the proud ensign of the
Union. As citizens, having a becoming vener
ation for the father of his country—his memory
and his dying sentiments —we can take neither
part nor lot in any movement which would out
a single star or erase a single stripe from the
glorious banner of the Union as it is. Under
that banner we will rally, and like the men op
'76 pledge “our lives, our and fortunes and our
sacred honor*' to defend it. We will never give
up the Union for existing grievances; nor until
t he people of the North prove themselves lost to
all honor and patriotism, by attempting some
! positive violation of the constitution, or onr
rights guaranteed therein.
MACON, (GA.,) SATURDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 19, 1850.
Entertaining such sentiments as are herein
expressed, we, the people of Bibb County, now
assembled, do adopt the following
VXIOS AND SOt'THKKN RIGHTS PLATFORM.
1. That while do not approve entirely of all
the Peace measures which have recently passed
Congress and while we sanction the votes ofour
Senators and Representatives in opposition to
the admission of California; still we see, in the
action of Congress, nothing which can be regard
ed as a violation ofConstitution—nothing which
will require a resort to extreme measures or in
which the South cannot honorably acquiesce,
j That we profess to be as true friends to
: Southern Rights, and as ready to defend those
l r 'gl ,ts as any men living, when there is a just
and suflicient cause for extreme measures; yet,
| believing that Disunion, at present, will noto'nly
j fail to strengthen our rights in the Territories,
but force upon us the alternative of abolishing
slavery at home, we are not prepared to rush
madly into a position which can only result in
saster and dishonor.
3. J hat should Congressnt any time exhibit its
purpose to war upon our property, or withhold
our just Constitutional rights, westand ready to
vindicate those rights, in the Union as long as
possible, and out of the Union when we are left
no other alternative. We repel the idea that
we are suhmissionists or that we have any sytn
j pathies with the enemies of Southern Rights.
4. Believing, as we do, that either secession
or any other extreme measure, at present, can
only result in mischief to the South, and to the
cause of Republican institutions, we will sup
port no candidate for a seat in the said conven
tion who does not, publicly and unequivocally,
pledge himself to oppose any and every mea
sure which may lead, either directly orindirect
ly, to a dissolution oftlie Union ; and we request
the friends of the Unidn, in other counties, to
exact the same pledge from every candidate be
for yielding him their support.
5. That we deprecate as unpatriotic and dis
honorable, the practice pursued by certain Dis
union orators and presses, of denouncing North
ern men and Foreigners residing at the South,
as being unsound on the subject ofour local in
stitutions, and as being capable of joining in a
servile revolt. We believe such charges, un
supported as they are by the slightest proofs, to
be the strongest evidence that the men who
make them are destitute of moral and political
honesty, and and ought to be watched with es.
pecial care.
6. That the people of Bibb County will forget
all past Party distinctions and differences; and,
in imitation of their Fathers of the Revolution,
will rally under the flag of our glorious Union—
that they will devote their time, their talents,
their money and, if need be, “their lives and
sacred honor,” lor its protection and preserva
tion ; —that we call npon the Union men of
Georgia, and of the South, to unite with us in
the approaching struggle, nor cease their efforts
until our glorious Old Commonwealth, and the
Government ot our choice, are rescued from
impending dangers.
On presenting the above, Mr. Poe advocated
the views and principles set forth, wilh much
ability and eloquence; and on a concluding,
moved the following Resolutions, which, to
gether with the above, were unanimously
adopted •
Resolved, That we, who are here assembled,
together with all other citizens who desire the
perpetuity ofour National Government, and the
continued enjoyment ofthe political advantages
guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, hereby form ourselves into “The U
nion and Southern Rights Parly of Bibb county.”
Resolved, That a Committee ofTen he appoint
ed by tlie Chair, to select four Delegates to be
supported by “The Union and Southern Rights
Party ofßibb county,” to the State Convention,
and that said Delegates, ifelected, he considered
AS PLEDGED TO OPPOSE ANY’ ACTION
bv said Convention, looking to RESISTANCE
BY THE STATE, to the Act of Congress,
admitting Californin, OK FOR ANY OTHER
EXISTING CAUSE.
Resolved, That an Executive Commiltoe of
Six, be appointed by the "Chair, to take all ne
cessary steps to secure the election of said Del
egates, and to do, and perform all things that
may be essential to the success of “The Union
and Southern Rights party of Bibb county,” in
carrying out the objc.cts of this organization. ,
Resolved, That a Corresponding Committee
of Five be appointed by the Chair, to confer with
tntrfrrenusdtr other Counties, and to provide
suitable orators to address the people on the grave
issues,madeby the actcalling a * tate Convention.
Resolved, Thata Committee of Safety, consist
ing of Fifty, be appointed by the Chair, any one
of whom may communicate to the Executive
Coinmiatee, any suggestions and information
touching the efficiency and success of said party.
Resolved, That our friends in other counties
he earnestly urged to spare no time in organiz
ing and preparing to send good men and true to
the Convention, who will see to it, that no harm
be done to the Union, the Constitution and the
Commonwealth.
The following Committees were, pursuant to
the Resolutions, appointed, viz :
Committee of Safety —John B. Lamar, Wm.
Scott, Samuel H all, Edmund Russel I, R.K. Hines,
L. N. Whittle, Oliver 11. Prince, J. B. Artope,
J. T. Wootten, John L. Jones, Keelin Cook,
Alex. Scott, James Gates, H. C. Freeman, John
P. Evans, Simri Rose, Janies Tinley, Wilson C.
Hardy, T. Hardeman, Jr.; M. N. Burch, E.C.
Sherwood, Absalom Jordan, Elijah Bond, A.
Comer, Wm. Hughes, P. Stubbs, W. C. Wilson,
T. Piercy, A. J. White, L. F. W. Andrews, Wm.
Holmes, H. T. Powell, G. W. Talrnadge, W.
B. Cariiart, Willis Wood, Charles Douglass, L.
J. Groce, A. Ayres, J. H. Ellis, J. W. Babcock,
R. Gilbert, John B. Grace, 1. C. Plant, J. M.
Kibbee, J. E. Wells, Albert Mix, S. F. Dickin
son, W. Lundy, Sidney Lanier and A.P.Powers.
Executive Committee —J. H. R. Washington,
C. A. Ells, T. R. Bloom, C. P. Levy, Z. T.
Conner and A. J. White.
Committee to select Candidates —Robt Collins,
O. G. Sparks, Jas. A. Nisbet,C. A. Ells, Roland
Bivins, W. K. DeGraffenreid, T. P. Stubbs, J.
B. Ayres, C. W. Raines and Henry Wood.
Committee of Correspondence —S T.Chapman,
L. O. Reynolds, Wm. S. Holt, Isaac Scott, W.
K. DeGraffenreid.
On motion ofS. T. Chapman, Esq.
Resolved, That the Chairman of this meeting
be requested to call a second meeting as soon as
the Committee “to select Candidates” are ready
to report, for the purpose ofsubmittingthe result
of their deliberations and action to said meeting.
On motion of A. P. Powers it was
Resolved, That the city papers be requested to
publish the proceedings of this meeting, and that
the presses of the State generally be requested
to copy.
The meeting then adjourned.
JAMES W ARMSTRONG, ) p j(J , g
THADDEUS G. HOLT, <, ' ro! "‘ ,er ' l9 -
R S Lxs.rn, * Secretaries.
Tiiat.lltsntsASfJr )
Great Rally or the Friends of
Southern Rights.
MEETING of the people of bibb.
I ursunnt to notices published, a large number
oftlie people of Bibb, without distinction of par
ty, assembled this day at the Court House, in
Macon, for the purpose of more thoroughly or
ganizing, and to nominate delegates to represent
the county of Bibb, in the Convention called bv
the Governor, in pursuance of an act oftlie last
Legislature.
On motion Thomas King, Esq , was called to
the Chair, and J. 11. Morgan and A. 11. Colquitt
appointed Secretaries.
After some preliminary remarks by the Chair
man in explanation of the objects oftlie meet-
T. Bailey moved the appointment of
a Committee of 24 to prepare and report a pre
amble and resolutions to be submitted to the
| meeting.
TJie Chair appointed the following gentlemen
the Committee under Col. Hailey's Resolution :
Col. S. T. Bailey, Col. W. B. Parker, James
Dean, Paul Dinkins, Dr. J. B. Wiley, A.E. Ear
nest, John J. Jones, Stephen Woodward, John
Bailey, Dr. M. A. Franklin,Benj. Fort, Dr. J.M.
Green, Ricli’d Bassett, Geo. W. Fish, E. S. Ro
gers, F. A. Ilill, A. C. Morehouse, B. F. Ross,
Dr B. Bonner, R. A. Smith, 11. J. Lamar, W.
D. Mimins, Thomas A. Brown and Dr. E. L -
Stroll ecker.
During the absence of the Committee, Col. T.
C. Howard, of Crawford, was called upon to
address the meeting- He obeyed the call, and
was greeted with great applause as he took the
stand. His remarks were characterized by much
force and clearness, and were well received by
the meeting.
When Col. Howard had finished, Col. Bailey,
the Chairman of the Committee of 24, proceed
ed to report the following Preamble and Reso
lutions :
I* L, A T F O It M .
SOUTHER. Y RIGHTS, WITH UNION A.XD
CONSTITUTIONAL EQUALITY.
It is the natural impulse of every noble mind
to resist oppression. Under the Constitution, as
made by our fathers, the Southern people were
equals with those of the North. We are as free,
as intelligent, as virtuous and faithful to the
Union, as were our fathers—vve have felt ag
grieved that our rights, as equals, have been for
a series of years trampled on and disregarded,
by the non-slaveholding States. We have re.
monstrated at their aggressions, and begged for
justice at the hands of our Northern brethren.
Our repeated remonstrances have been disregard
ed, and our supplications have been construed as
the dictates of cowardice, and have only invited
more and more alarming aggressions, until they
have surrounded us like victims for the slaught
er, and now insolently challenge us to help our
selves if we can.
To provethat the non-slaveholdingStatcs have
for years, made war on the peace, happiness and
safety of the South, “let facts be submitted to a
candid world.”
They prohibited slavery North of tlie Ohio,
where it had long existed in a territory ceded to
the Union by Virginia.
They abolished slavery in most of the Louis
iana purchase, over a territory large enough to
form twelve States, and left the South only
enough for three.
Their citizens have stolen our slaves to the
value of many millions—cruelly beaten, and in
one instance, put to death a citizen for attempt
ing peaceably to regain his property absconding
into the free States, and in no case have
the perpetrators of such wrongs been pun
ished.
Grand Juries in Virginia found two true bills
against individuals for negro stealing—the felons
fled to the free States—they were demanded un
der the 4th article of the Constitution, and re
fused to be given up, on the ground that negro
stealing was no offence.
Their Legislatures have formed laws forbidding
any of their citizens, under a heavy penalty, to
aid in enforcing the Constitution in relation to
fugitive slaves, and their courts, have held such
laws, right and proper.
Their Officers and magistrates have, in sever
al instances, siezed slaveholders when reclaim
ing stolen or runaway slaves, and released the
slaves and imprisoned the master, who has been
glad to escape with his life, and, without re.
dress.
They have held conventions both in their
own States and in foreign lands, to excite the
evil passions of all mankind against us, and
this is daily done with impunity in the mdst of
those who call themselves our friends.
They have spent millions of money to indoc
trinate the public mind of the world against us t
carrying us into the school house and into the
church, to be pointed at and anathematized as
a polluted, heaven-abandoned race.
While we fought the public enemy in vindi
cation ofour own and their honor, they invoked
that enemy “to receive us with bloody hands
to hospitable graves,” and when we had filled
those graves, and conquered from that enemy
an empire one-fourth as large as all Europe,they
unite wiib the barbarians from China, South
America, and the Islands of the Pacific, and say
to us that we made that conquest for them alone,
that we ate too sinful to share with them.
They first invite a horde of trespassers upon
our common territory, to form a constitution,
excluding us, and then adopt that constitution
as in accordance with the league between them
and us, thus adding falsehood and fraud to rob
bery.
They have grossly insulted us by forming ter
ritorial governments for New Mexico and Utah,
as a compensation for the frauds and injustice
of admitting California a» a ritate—every man
of them holding that these territories ate free
by the lavvs of Mexico, and therefore free forev.
cr until those laws are repealed ; and when 8
Southern member offered an amendment repeal
ing those laws that the South may have n chance
it was promptly voted down ! And yet they
say to us, after robbing us of the richest portion
of the Globe, you may go to the barren
wilds of New Mexico, and let your slaves
sue you in the Federal Court for their freedom
as an equivalent for that robbery I
They have sent an nrmed fdVce in time of
peace into the territory of Texas, a sister State,
and taken forcibly from her 70,000 square miles
of slave territory to make it free, and which
the government oftliis country, England, France
and Belgium, have solemnly declared, belongs
to her,and to appease a weak and prostrate State
they give her .$10,000,000 (ten millions of dol
lars) for what they now say never belonged to
her! First driving her out of the territory by
military force; they say to the world—“this is no
compulsion—Texas is left free to choose!”—
Thus substituting the bayonet for law and
justice.
They have forbid the commerce in slaves in
the District of Columbia, thus usurping the a
larming authority of restraining the citizen in
the control of his property, on the ground that
it is their right to legislate upon private mo
rality !
We agree with people of the North, in the
opinion, that the act of Congress übolishing the
slave trade in the District of Columbia, is but
the first step to the abolition of slavery in all
places under the jurisdiction of the general gov
eminent, and constitutes another act of invidi.
ous and unconstitutional discrimination against
our property and institutions
It is not true as stated by a late meeting in
this city, that the Frcc-Soilcrs regard tho organ
ization of the Territorial Governments for New
Mexico and Utah as a triumph oftlie Soutli. So
far from it, they and their presses speak of it as
a triumph over the South, They forbore to at
tach the hateful ‘Wimot Proviso,’solely because
they all hold slavery excluded in these territo
ries by the Mexican laws. The extract quoted
by our opponents from the “Albany Evening
Journal,"complaining that twenty-five thousand
square miles had been given to slavery, is one
of tlie strongest proofs that they view all the
new territories safe for them under the provi
sions of the Compromise Bill. That twenty
five thousand square miles is the fraction of
New Mexico left to Texas by Pearce's bill,
although her title was good up to 42. Had this
fraction also been given to New Mexico, it would
not have been surrendered to slavery in the
opinion of this Free Soil editor. Do not these
wise teachers know that New Mexico contains
by the estimation of all geographers, not less
than 200,000 square miles, instead of 25,000;
or did they intend to mislead and deceive? And
did they not know that New Mexico and Utah
together, contain over three hundred thousand
square miles ? Nor is it true, as stated by the
Suhmissionists, that more than one-third of the
members of the Convention that framed the
Constitution of California were Southern men.
There were in that Convention only 17 members
from the slavelioldiug States—to wit: 7 from
Missouri—3 from Maryland—2 from Virginia—4
from Louisiana, and 1 from Texas; and even of
this small number hailing from the slaveholding
States, some of them were natives of tho free
States. Thus Missouri and Maryland; where
abolitionism is rapidly gaining ground, furnished
ten of the seventeen, while not one was from
North Carolina, Soutli Carolina, Georgia, Flori
da, Alabama and Mississippi. But had it been
otherwise—had all the members ofthis Conven
tion been sons of the South, and had voted to
exclude Iter from herown soil.it would only be
another lamentable and alarming evidence, add
ed to the many proof we have slreudy hud in Con
gress, that ungrateful children may prove faith
less to the mother that nourished them.
In view of these facts, no sane citizen who
expects to spend bis days or to leave bis children
in tlie South, can rest quiet, or say there is not
awful perils hanging over bis borne—whether
slavery is right or wrong—a blessing or a curse,
is not the question. But it is in our judgment
a question of life and death to the white race of
the South.
Wc deem it improper to paint or describe the
desolation and horrors which await the South on
the day of emancipation— some such scenes nre
drawn to our hand in the West Indies.
Therefore Resolved, 1. That the admission of
California was a robbery of the South, and a
triumph of Abolition.
2. Resolved, That whilst we unhesitatingly
deny the charge that the freesoil Constitution of
California was framed through the instrumental
ity of President Polk, we declare it to he imma
terial to us whether it was instigated by Presi.
dent Polk or Taylor. On this question we are
neither Polk nor Taylor men, but Southern
Rights men, and are opposed to the fraud perpe
trated ou rights of the Southern people by this
Constitution by whomsoever framed or formed.
3. Resolved, That in offering to the South as
a boon the Territories of New Mexico, and
Utah, where to litigate with their own slaves
sueing them in the Federal Court lor their free
dom,is worse than the robbery in Califoania—it
is adding insult to injury, and especially offen
sive, since every man of them tell us that
the law in those Territories is against the
master and in favor of the slave in such liti
gation.
4. Resolved, That in dismembering Texas af
ter her boundaries bad been acknowledged by
every department of this Government, Liberty
and States rights have received a blow, na less
alarming to freemen who are not blinded by
party prejudice, than was the partition of Po
land.
5. Resolved, That tho last legislature acted
the part of faithful public servants in providing
by an almost unanimous vote, for » Conven
tion of the people of this State, to consult and
adopt measures for their common safety.
6. Resolved, That in our opinion, it was not
the intention of the Legislature to predicate the
call of the Convention solely on :h« admission
Book and job printing
Will be executed in the neatest style,
and upon the most favorable
terms, at the Office of the r
SCTTfHEniT TPJBTJITE,
-BY— *
WM. B. HARRISON.
NUMBER 41
of California, but rather on that as one of a long
chain of aggressions, and as an evidence of this,
we cite the preamble of the act.
7. Resolved, TliHt it is tlie duty of all govern
ments to protect, and destroy, the persons
and property of the citizens. Congress should
protect us in the enjoyment of our slaves, and
yet have no power to control or abridge such en
joyment. This is “non-intervention.”
8 Resolved, That it is not true that the North
supported or approved of the Fugitive Slave Bill
in Congress, or let the South have her own way
in the matter. The yeas and mays show that
every Northern Senator present, save two, voted
against it, and a large majority in the House.
9. Resolved, That since the North lias thus re
solved never to cease their uggressious, we will
nevercease to oppose and resist, at all hazarda,
and to the last extremity,all ihcli aggressioua in
future.
10. Resolved, That those who manifest such
alarm and abhorrence at tlie call ofa meeting of
the citizens of Georgia,give evidence of very lit
tle fuilli in tho virtue aud capacity of our citi
zens.
11. Resolved, That if half the repugnance
were Felt or expressed at the North against the
holding or Anti Slavery Conventions, that there
is here at the South .'upimst one for our protection,
we should have far less to apprehend.
12. Resolved, That we have an abiding confi
dence in the capacity of the people for self,
government, when not misled by dishonest poli
ticians, or designing men, and therefore, appre
hend no danger from their meeting to consult for
their safety. Such meetiligsare “formidable to
tyrants only.”
13. Resolved, That those who made the Con
stitution were all white men, and that they or
dained that the Constitution they made was for
whites and not blacks, by declaring that they
formed it “to secure the blessing of liberty to us
and our posterity.”
14. Resolved, That while we are for tlie Union,
so long as the Constitution protects us, we are
against it when that proctection ceases.
15. Ilesolttd, That our fathers who made the
Constitution were equals North and South, and
expected their “posterity” to be treated as
equals.
16. Resolved, That the citizens of no State,
North or South, can submit to be treated ns in
feriors and underlings, without disgracing their
fathersaad becoming slaves.
17. Resolved, That we will support ft 6 man
for the Convention who will disgrace Georgia
by cowardly measures of surrender to Northern
arrogance and wrong.
18. Resolved, That our destiny is with Georgia
and the Soutli; nnd whatever fate awaits us wo
will never be found co-operating with enemies
of our institutions or occupying questionable
grounds, against the land of our families, but
will stand true and miuutarn Iter rights at all
hazards.
19. Resolved, That those who charge us wilh
being desirous to dissolve the Union without a
cause, and while we and ouf Iriends can be safe
in the Union,utter what they know to be untrue.
They made the charge for the purpose of alarm
ing the timorous, and deceiving the honest; and
to use their own language. “ \Ve believe such
charges, unsupported as they are,by the slightest
proofs, to bo the strongest evidence that the njen
who make them are destitute of moral and po
litical honesty, and ought to be watched with a
special care.” «
20. Resolved, That after all proper measures of
redress and prevention have been tried for our
protection, and have failed, then we shall try to
“provide new guards for our future security,"
and we doubt not, shall be able to repel all en
emies from übroad, nnd take “watchful., and
“ especial cure,” of all traitors at borne
21. Resolved, That in viudicaing the hitherto
untarnished honor of the State of Georgia
and to save her from ruin and disgrace, we
“ pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred
honors” never forgetting that we owe our first
allegiance to her, nnd we call upon all true sons
who love her to rally with us, shoulder to
shoulder aronnd her, as they did in the proud
days of Troup and the Treaty, und suy as they
said then, to the insolent armies of free soilers,
“ thus far shalt thou come and no farther, and
here let your proud waves be stuid.”
22. Resolved, That we repudiate the charge
(which an ungenerous oppostiou have so indus
triously circulated) that we entertain any ill will
to any person or people, because they uie not
natives oftlie Soul hern States; but on the con
trary we extend the hand of friendship abd fel
lowship to ever) man, who shows l« us, that he
has soul enough to appreciate frecHoni,and man
liness enough to defend it
After the Chariman of the Committee had con
cluded the rending of the preamble and resolu
tions, be proceeded to address the meeting in
one of the most argumentntive and powerful ad
dresses we ever listened to. It was eloquently
expressive of the indignant feeling's that the
continued aggressions of the North had aroused
•n the breast of every one present, and was re.
ceived with the most enthusiastic applause.
After tho conclusion of Col. Bailey's speech,
on motion of Col. Dean,the following committee
was appointed to select suitable Candidates to be
run by the Southern Rights party of Bibb, to
wit—James Dean, Jno. Rutbereford, Jno. J.
Jones, S. Woodward, Geo. W. Fish,S. B. Hun
ter, R. A. L. Atkinson, and Cicero Tharp.
During the absence of this Committee Robt.
A. Smith, E*q. was loodly called for and took
the stand. His remarks were brief, spirited
and to the point, and were well received.
The Chairman of the Committee on nomina
tions then reported the following iianivS as
suitable gentlemen to be run by the Southern
Rights party of Bibb county, to wit :
LEROY NAPIER,
CHARLES COLLINS,
THOMAS A. BROWN,
ROBERT A. SMITH.
On motion, the Report of the Committee on
nominations was adopted by acclamation.
Samuel J. Ray then offered the following reso
lution .
Resolved, That the Chairman of tho meeting
appoint at his leisure,a Committee of Safety and
Vigilance, lor this county consisting of one hun.
dred good and true men, whose duty it shall tie
to provide lor the general welfare and to advance
by all honorable means the interests of the great
Southern Rights Party.
On motion of F. A. Hill, it was Resolved rtiat
the Proceedings ofthis Meeting be published ia
the ‘Telegraph,’ and ‘Tribune,’ and all other pa
pers in the State friendly to thecauso, be request
ed to copy. On motion, the Meeting adjourned.
THOMAS KING,
HENRY G. ROSS, S un " ,r,nen
J a° H h H f Moroa M Secretaries.
A. H. Colquitt, J
Macon, Oct. 5, 1850.
