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JUDGE EDMONDS ON SPIRITUALISM.
Nl SiPER rOCR.
PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS.
To the Editor of the N. Y. Tribune:
Sib :—By this term, which has acquired a
sort of technical meaning among Spiritual
ists, I mean those things in connection with
spiritual intercourse which are addressed to
our senses, irrespective of what is addressed
to our mental or moral consciences.
I have known all the senses to be thus ad
dressed, and I will relate in detail, iu this
and the ensuing paper. incidents calculated
to show that
1. Smelling. Once, alter midnight when
I was in bed sick ot a headache, I perceived
an odor of a peculiar kind, such as I had
never smelled before, pungent, but not un
grateful. It wa not diffused through the
room, but was presented to my nostriU at
intervals, as it from a smelling bottle. Lying
on my side. I fancied it might come from
the bed clothes. I accordingly changed my
position to lying on the other side, and on
my back, and sat np m bed, throwing off
the clothes; but in every situation it con
tinued to come with the same smell, and with
similar intermissions. In a short time it op
erated l>oth as a cathartic and emetic, and I
was speedily relieved of my Alness.
Once aiterward, when I was again sick, I
laid the same odor presented to me, but less
pnngently, and without the like effect.
I never at any other time smelled tliat
peculiar scent.
1 was once present when a vial contain
ing water, which had been purified by dis
tillation, was passed from hand to hand at
one of our circles until the water became
medicated and emitted a very perceptible
odor.
I had read of a v al of water being pre
pared and used as a magic mirror, and I was
inclined to try the experiment D stilled
water in a vial was allowed to stand for some
time ou the table, around which the circle
were assembled, and it was then put away
in a closet After remaining there a few
days, it was found to be medicated, and also
emitted a very perceptible odor.
In both these instances we were told that
the medication was for curative purposes,
and I know that the contents of one of the
vials was used with that object, and appa
rently with effect. I cannot speak certain
ly of the effect, because I know only the
means used and the result. What produced
tl*at result I cannot of course know. I can
only judge.
2. Tasting. In the earlier stages of my
investigations I was in bad health, which
had been increasing on me for some years,
and I am fain to btlieve that I have been
materially aided from this unseen source in
my tecovery. Os that I shall have occasion
to speak more hereafter; now I have only
to remark, that several times when at circles,
and when the presence of the influence was
very palpable—and experience enables one
to know that quite unmistakably—l have
felt a peeul ar taste as of medicine, not a3
food or drink, but as gas or vapor.
I have heard of similar instances from
others; but neither in their cases nor in my
own can I do otherwise than speak hesitat
ingly, f° r I cannot be sure that spirit-influ
ence had anything to do with it.
The medicated water, of which I have
spoken, had a peculiar taste as well as odor,
and several instances of the same kind have
been related to me.
3. Feeling. Touching the person has been
much more common than either of the other
two.
The first time I experienced this was at a
dark circle. Ten or a dozen persons were
present sitting around a table. Two of the
company were directed to pasj behind the
rest ot us. As they did so slowly, each one
seemed to be touched. Sometimes I could
only judge from their exclamations, but
sometimes I could hear the slap of a hand
very distinctly. The manifestation was
rather rude, and was offensive to me: and
as I was approached I was apprehensive of
a similar display with me; but, on the con
trary, all I felt was a hand gently laid on my
head, and there moved around a few times,
and then two or three soft touches on my
side. The room being dark, I could not, of
course, know that it was not done by one of
the two persons who were behind me. But
it was not a little remarkable that it should
have been made to conform to a thought
which I had not uttered, and so unlike all
the others, both before and afterward dur ,
mg the evening, and that it should be a touch
with which I was familiar, for it was the
gesture with which my wife was wont to
pass my chair, as she would enter my libra
ry of an afternoon and find me at work at
my law cases. No one then present. I think,
could have known that, and it was too pe
culiar to be deemed accidental.
My doubts, however, were soon removed,
for not long afterward, a! a circle, my arm
was se.zed above the elbow as by an iron
hand. I felt distinctly the palm of the hand,
the ball of the thumb, and each finger: and
I was held tast, with a force far superior to
any that a mortal hand could exert I was
powerless in iu grasp. I tried to shake it
off, but could not I tried to move my arm.
but in vain. There was none of the soft
ness and elasticity of human ilesh in the
touch, but it was hard and inflexible like
metal, and my arm was pressed to the verge
of pain. \et it did not hurt, but simply
held me fa9h It could be no human hand,
and, beside. I knew it was not, for I put my
other hand on the affected part, and all
around it, so as to be certain. I became un
easy, and importuned it to leave me, but it
continued long enough to show trie it was
independent of my will, and then it left.
Besides these instances, my person has
i>een irequenily touched, and sometimes un
der circumstances that precluded the idea of
its being done by mortal hand. It would
extend this paper too much to enter into a
‘.t-tail of the circumstances, out of which
this preclusion springs, but at that time I
l>ke astute and skeptical, and labored,
_ * some others of later period*, under the
6ar 111 ? credulity might be imposed
upon and I made ridiculous by some who I
const tr. my inferior* i n standing, if not
jnf'ct 1 w "’ ‘Wo,.,
lookou. for Incleq,
wou.d occur in such manner that they mfoht
be done by mortal means, though the fair
conclusion was that they were not; but it
was sometimes that all doubt was cut off.
Thus I have been touched, when no person
was near enough to do it: sometimes in the
light, when my eye-sight told me that none
of those present did it; sometimes in the
dark, when no one knew where I was, or
even that I was present; sometimes my foot
has been patted, as ith a hand: sometimes
my clothes pulled, as by a child; sometimes
a push in my side, as by a dull and nonelas
tic force, and twice I have felt a human
hand on my skin. On one of these occa
sions the touch was cold, but not clammy,
and on the other it was soft, warm and
flesh-Lke.
I have been present on numerous occa
sions when others have said they were
touched, and have acted as if they were, )
and when it was evidently no fabrication of j
theirs, for they were too really frightened
themselves. Once I recollect my uiece, who
was standing by my side, had her feet so
pulled from under her that she came rear
falling; and once a young man who stood
near me was seized and pulled from me. I
caught hold of him, but our joint resistance
was overpowered, and he was fairly lifted
from the floor and taken from me.
These things occurred in the earlier period
of my inquiries. Their work having been
done with me, I have witnessed little or
nothing of them of late. But I was then in
a peculiar state of mind. At one moment
it would seem, from the nature of the inci
dents, that it was not possible there coold
be any deception, but subsequent reflection
would suggest that there might be, and I
was, therefore, not yet a full believer. While
in this mood of mimt, this intelligence urged
me to publish to the world what I had wit
nessed. I refused, and demanded more evi
dence. They answered they would give it
to me, and they did in good earnest.
It would take more than a column of your
paj>er to relate the events of that memora
ble evening. It must now suffice for me to
say, that five mediums were brought to
gether, without my intervention, and that
for three hours and a half I was in the hands
of this unseen intelligence, and was opera
ted upon by it in a great, variety of wav?.
I had no fear during the operation; but
for several evenings afterward I confess that
when I retired ‘p bed I was frightened at
what had been lone to me, and to this day
the incidents live very vividly in my
memory.
The object seemed to be to convince me,
by a resort to my senses, that there was a
power at work not of mere mortal origin,
and that objec* was attained.
Perhaps 1 may, in my next paper, detail
the events of that meeting; but now I have
filled my column, without yet even alluding
to the more numerous manifestations that
are addressed to the senses of sight and hear
ing. I must refer that topic to another oc
casion, and close this paper by remarking:
First. That which slruek me most ’iniid
all the wonders I beheld was ‘he intelligence
that was displayed in it all. It was not only
guided by intel! gence, but it had an intelli
gent object, and held an intelligent conver
sation wHh me.
Second. Othe s may ask, as a very clever
correspondent did in a recent letter, why use
such “low and vulgar modes’’ of communi
cation? I answer they are not more incon
siderable than opening the door of a prison,
or telling a woman where to find water. —
But, characterize them as we may, they have
this object in view—and they arc attaining
with marvelous celerity—to convict man of
his immortality by appeals to his senses.—
The effort to convince him by appealing to
nature, to reason, and to revelation, has
been vain with the great mass of mankind.
The argument now comes in this form—the
block lettersin an infant school—and it comes
with such force that he who will place him
self in its way cannot escape conviction.
J. W. EDMONDS.
New York. May 7. 1859.
P. S.—l must ask your readers to bear
two things in mind: one is, that my limit in
your paper is to a column for each number,
aud that I cannot exceed that without tres
passing on your kindness; and the other,
that my professional engagements will not
always afford me the time to prepare my
articles, aud I am therefore compelled to be
irregular in giving them to you.
For the Ga. Citizen.
MEDICAL.
Dr. Andrews :
Dear Sir —Howiver much “amusement”
Dr. J. Dickson Smith may have found in the
subject that gave occasion for ray “rejoin
der,” or even in the “rejoinder” itself, I ap
prehend that it involves matters of too seri
rious import to be so lightly thought of by
the community, for if his own statements are
credited, they occupy the position of the
frogs in the fable, for wbat seems ‘ sport to
him may be actual death to them,” and if
the “errors” of the Allopathic system are
such as he feels constrained to designate
“wolfish intruders,'’ it becomes an act of pru
dence on their past to see to it that they be
driven from the fold.
Taking this view of the case, and presum
ing that the Doctor was in earnest in his en
deavors to correct those “errors,” and not
writing merely for his own “amusement,” I
deemed it proper so to emphasise his “factr,”
as to call public attention directly to them,
with a view to the better accomplishment
of his laudable purpose; at the same time
that I endeavored to disabuse the public
mind in relation to certain statements he had
made, not germaia to the issue, but which
were calculated to mislead in a matter in
volving questions of life and death, happi
ness or misery to the whole human family.
I therefore think that my remarks were not
“uncalled for,” neither were they “exparte.”
seeing that they were, in great part, but a
repetition of his own statements, which for
“fierce “-ness of assault and “cutting” invec
tive against the practice of his own breth
ren, I have not seen equalled in this locality,
even by the “Botau r C*,” and if they, either
from consciousness of the truth of the ac
cusations, or the want of ability to defend
themselves against them, choose to let them
pass without notice, that is no .reason why
we, oppressed with no such consciousness,
should not exert the power that God has .
given us, however feebly, in defending from
ur juat aspersion our own conduct, as well as
the glorious cause of Medical Reform, that
in some sense Las been entrusted by Provi
dence to Our hands. Though lam thus ev
er ready to defend the cause I advocate, and
at the sanii time “give a reason for the
faith that is in me” medically, I yet have no
quarrel with Dr. Smith; indeed I have but
little knowledge of him—only from bis writ
ings—and, judging from them, I must say
that I admire his candor and applaud his
pluck in “rebuking’ that “wolfish intruder,” 1
while others have so long shown themselves
only intent orr p itting on it “ sheep]y cloth
ingrfi and as I liar! been engaged, frank
ly, openly, and aboveboard, for the last twen
ty-four years, in exposing the “wolfish ‘ char
acter of the animal that lias been flaunting
those vestments in all the security of seem
ing innocence, I was greatly pleased to wel
come to the field such an efficient ally as the
Boctor has shown himself to be, and the pub
lication of his first article in your columns,
and his second ia those of the Journal and :
Mrssengtr, enables me to point with confi
dence to two of the most destructive broad
, sides that Allopathy in Georgia lias yet sus
j tained. It is true he does not enter that
field of confl et with the same views that I
entertain, however much they may , en d to
1 the same result; he attacks the conduct of
bis brethren —l, the system on which they ,
operate; he accuse* them of producing “only
mischief by the careless, reckless, and pro
fligate use they make of remedies which are
poisons, I. denounce! the system of giving
poisons in its totality, and maintain that 1
} nothing but mischief, in some shape, can re- i
; suit, sooner or later from their administra
tion, no matter how carefully or skilfully they
may have been administered.
I believe, with Dr. Smith of the Boston
Medical A Surgical Journal, that “ poisons ,
however they may differ in other re
spects, all agree .in this that they rapid
ly and certainly diminish or extinguish
the vitality of the system.” He upholds
the anti-phlogistic system of medication,
while he denounces as the result of careless
ness, the “mischief that necessarily follows
the use of anti-phlogistic remedies: I de
nounce the system and the remedies , and main
tain that the anti-phlogistic or depleting
theory, is the true cause of ail the “mischief
for on that is founded the supposed ne
cessity of using such destructive agents, and
until that fundamental “error ’’ is corrected,
Dr. Smith may as well dash straws against
the wind as hope to*eject that “wolfish intru
der-, ’ for it has been to meet that supposed
necessity that bleeding came iu vogue, and
the whole host of weakening and depleting
remedies have been invented; and the mo
ment the medical mind is disabused of that
absurdity, the whole tribe of them becomes
useless, and the sustaining and invigorating
remedies of the Botanic or Phlogistic sys
tem, will take their place.
Much, however, as I denounce the system,
and believe the exhibition of the remedies (?)
in use, destructive to health anti life, I must
yet say that I cannot endorse the Doctor’s
estimate of those who practice it, for, though
mistaken in their view’s, as I believe, and full
to repletion, as they generally are, of the
prejudice cf education, I should not be doing
them justice as a elas?, did I neglect to say that
I think far more highly of them than it seems
he does, aud appreciate to the full the difficul
ties of their position, when their “ hearts are
made to bleed with anguish and remorse at the
mischief they have done,” not because they may
have given “Morphia,” or any other poison,
“ inconsiderately ,” but because in obedience
to that theory they are compelled to do it, in
order to carry out what they have been
taught and conscientiously believe to be
right.
It is no business of mine to decry the men.
Many of them are nature’s noblemen, and
Macon. I am pleased to say, need not be left
to go in search of them, but from mistaken
views, and being constantly in the use of
agents that destroy, I am not prepared to say
that even they have not been subjects of
that “ anguish and remorse “ that Dr. Smith
says is the “confession” of miny practition
ers. Neither am I prepared to say that
■ they have “ dreadfully abused” the powers of
the agents they employ, though I have no
doubt that between them, their patients have
sometimes been subjected to “ dreadful ” suf
ferings.
Supposing the Doctor to be correct, however,
ia stating that “the healthful system of med
ication has been most wrongfully prostituted,”
that “the remedies that promised good have,
by reckless employment and profligate use,
effected only mischief and that the “pow
ers which physicians wield in the use of
these mighty medicinal agents, is, without
doubt, often abused.” What is to be done ?
We cannot depend cn “Books,” says Dr.
Smith, nor to the “indecision and want of
nice discrimination” of the young practition
er; neither can we put confidence in the
“Old Fogie,” in his vaunted knowledge and
tact from experience. What then? And
the question still recurs who is to be trusted?
I say, unhesitatingly, that man, and that
man only, who uses none of them, who es
chews all poison, draws no blood, but who,
“removing the obstacles that exist to the fa
vorable action of nature’s conservative pow
ers,” by means that act in due conformity
with the law’s of life, and as unvarying as
those laws themselves, thus giving nature
the needed chance of “regulating her own
function?,” and restoring “a healthy equilib
rium.’’ That this is being done daily, with
out the intervention of a single poisonous
dose, or the loss of a single drop of blood,
is patent to all unprejudiced observers, but
as in days of old, “Ephraim was joined to
his idols,” so in our time?, “ none are so
blind as those who will not see,” and if, in
this matter, the blind continue to lead the
blind and both fail into the ditch, or open
grave, who shall say that such a fate is
not deserved, if the warning voice of Dr.
Smith be still unheeded.
But, however much the Doctor and my
self tnay be agreed iu regard to the necessi
ty of a radical change in the s yst&n, on my
part, and the present mode of procedure on
hi?, there seems to be no likelihood of our
concurrence on the subject of his great bug
bear, “routineism.” Such a ‘ dreadful signifi
cance is attacheJ to it by him, that I verily be
lieve he would go without his dinner, rather
than trust for the support cf nature to-day the
same “routine” dish that sustained him yes
terday ; and if be is as distrustful of nature
on the subject of nutrition, as he evidently is
on that of disease, the office of his cook can
be no sinecure—for I presume lie calculates
with “nice precision,” the particles ot food
necessary to building up the various tissues
of his bodyq allowing so much for hair, so
much for bone, and so much for nails, skin
atid brain, and is very “watchful” for the
“symptoms” that indicate exuberance of eith
er, that he may “combat” them as they
arise!
He appeals strongly to Therapeutic laws,
at the same time that he declares that “rou
tineism has no legitimate existence in Allo
pathic medicine.” No routineism —and yet
we have laws! What an anomaly! These
are laws because they are “routine,” and it
is their unvarying character that makes them
such; for, without “routineism” there can
be no laws —and that mode of medical prac
tice that has no “legitimate routineum,” is
no system at all, and must, of necessity, be
’ empiricism.
For what purpose do we give Emetics,
Cathartic?, Diaphoretic?, Diuretic?, Expecto
rant?, Sialagogues or Errhinesf Is it not
that each may product its “routine and le
gitimate” effect upon the system, and would
we not call a man a fool who showed him
self so ignorant of those “routine laws” that
govern their action, as to give the one for
the other, and then wait expectantly for the
desired result? If we give an emetic, does
not the patient vomit? If an expectorant
shall he Dot spit, and if a good errhine must
he not sneeze? Yea, verily; and however
routine it may seem to the Doctor, even he
must put in exercise his “routine” knowl
edge, if he would succeed in effecting the
one or the other, in a scientific way.
That such “routineism” does exist in, and
from an “essential and legitimate integral” of
die system of Botanic practice we advocate,
will always be acknowledged with pride and
pointed to with pleasure, and 1 do not de
spair—considering the discontented state of
the Doctor’s mind with his own system—of
yet convincing him that ours is the only ra
tional theory of disease, that is sustained
throughout by the adaptation of such agen
cies, as by always sustaining the natural ef
fort result in the ejectment of that “ wolfish
intruder.”
Respectfully,
M. S. THOMSON.
; A Georgia Slaveholder and the Hew
York Observer,
Mr. Editor: —A “Georgia Slaveholder”
writing to the New York Observer of the
26th May, “ regrets that the general Gov
erment did not take more decisive and ener
getic measures to repress the introduction of
Africans by the Echo, and to punish the per
petrators of that atrocious crime.” The Ob
server in its comment on the above, remarks,
1 “It was distinctly understood, at the adop
tion of the Constitution, that slavery in the
several States waa to be left to the exclusive
control of the State where it existed and that
the African Slave trade should be prohibit
ed from and after a certain date.” “Where,
Mr. Observer, in the Constitution of the
; United States, do you find the power dele
gated to prohibit and make it murder and
robbery to bring a negro from Africa to the
United States? Point out the clause of the
Constitution that grants the power to Con
gress to prohibit the external trade of Slave-
I ry.
If it was understood, at the adoption of
the Constitution, there is one thing certain,
;t is nowhere expressed in the Constitution
of the United States that Congress should
have power, at a time, or after a time, to
prohibit the external trade of slavery. You
| certainly would not claim the power under
the 9th Section of the Ist Article—“ The mi
gration or importation of such persons as
any of the States now’ existing shall think
proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by
the Congress prior to the year one thousand
eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty
may be imposed on such importation, not
exceeding ten dollars for each person.” If
you claim the power here it will not serve
your purpose, for you see it is a negative and
will not stand the test and criticism of either
legal or Constitutional construction.
Will you locate the power to prohibit the
African Slave Trade in the clause that give 9
to Congress the power to regulate commerce
with foreign nations and among the several
States ? If you do, you must say regulate, in
that clause, means to destroy, for that is the
practical effect, if you fix the power in that
clause. I have never seen any authority for
the assertion that at the adoption of the Con
stitution it was ‘■‘■distinctly understood” that
after a certain date Congress might prohib
iit the external trade of Slavery. Ido not
find any such understanding in the debates
of the Convention that formed and adopted
the Constitution of the United States. It is
not in the debates. It is not in the Consti
’ tution, expressed or implied, neither can
there be any clause of the Constitution tor
tured into a construction of such a power.
Slavery existed before the formation of
the constitution, and when the States met in
convention to form a constitution, they did
not consent to submit the question of
right to their property, whether it was in
horses or in negroes. There was not, there
could not have been any understanding that
the States where slavery existed were to
have exclusive control over slavery, for the
States had never surrendered the right to
control their property in slaves, and if they
had never given up that right, how could
there be an “understanding” about that
right which had never been questioned.—
You further say, “tore-open the African
slave trade by law, would now be as flagrant
a violation of good faith, as the interference
of Congress with slavery in the States.
In the first place you say (what I de
ny) that it was “ distinctly understood” at
the adoption of the constitution, that slavery
was to be left to the exclusive control of the
States where it existed. For the sake of the
argument grant, it. How r could an indi
vidual or State have exclusive control over
property, without the right to engage in
either or both the external and internal
trade of property? “Exclusive control
over property certainly includes the idea
and right to buy and sell, and if to buy and
sell is inherent to property, pray tell me what
right Congress has to prohibit either theex
ternal or internal trade of property, over
which the States in which it exists hav e “ex
clusive control,” for the control cannot be
exclusive, if Congress can, at its will and
pleasure, prohibit either the external or in
ternal trade of property. The Observer
thinks it a very atrocious act to take a negro
out of a savage State in Africa, and put him
in a civilized condition in the United States.
The African slave trade has done more for
the savage of Africa than all the Missionary
societies can or will do. It has brought the
African here— civilized and christianized
him? Is that “atrocious?” Is that infam
ous which lietters the condition of the ne
gro? I cannot for the life of me see how
there could tie £ “flagrant violation” of
good faith to repeal the laws making the ex
ternal trade of slavery murder and robbery.
Point me to the authority for that “distinct
understanding” of which you confidently
speak. I ask it as a favor.
The Observer calls for a concentration of
popular opinion, for the two reasons—first,
because a Southern sentiment in favor of re
ojiening the African slave trade is forming.
Secondly the Observer is afraid to trust the
question of repeal to a Presidential election
Your correspondent “Georgia Slaveholder,”
has not correctly informed you. A large
majority of the slaveholders and non-slave
holders in Georgia, are, in my opinion, in
favor of repealing those infamous laws of
Federal legislation. A Georgia slaveholder
ought to have tried to concentrate popular
opinion at home against a repeal of the
laws making it murder and robbery to buy
a negro in Africa. The candor and inde
pendence of the Observer I have always ad
mired. I have been a subscriber and con
stant reader of the Observer for some 15 or
20 years, and shall remain both. This re
ply is not the result of any unkind feelings
towards that Journal.
GEORGIA.
Internal Improvement Convention.
We presume our cotemporary has no de
sire to give the policy of State aid the sanc
tion of a legislative endorsement in opposi
tion to the wishes of the people.— Columbus
: Times.
Certainly not—we do not desire to give
Legislative endorsement to any measure iu
; opposition to the wishes of the people, but
we certainly do desire to give Legislative
sanction to a measure which we believe
meets the approval of a very large majority
of the people of Georgia. There is at pres
ent no measure that would redound more to
the good and glory of the State and people
than the question of “State Aid’’ in cases
where the State is perfectly secure frcm pre
sent or ultimate loss; such a bill can be
framed and the people will demand its pas
sage by the next Legislature.
The Times suggests that the question of
“State Aid” be lelt to a vote of the people —
we think the people of Georgia will send
proper Representatives to the Legislature,
aud are willing to trust in their hands the
( future destiny of the State either for good
| or bad, without troubling the peop'e to vote
on every question of State policy, to say
nothing of lowering by this means the dig
nity of a legislative assembly. We are glad
to see our suggestion of a convention of tha
friends of “State Aid” has been seconded
by many of the leading journals of the State.
They see the importance of placing the pub
lic mind generally in possession of a wise
and correct system of internal improvements
by which they arriveat a point wherein they
c n safely and securely develope those sec
tions of the State, which are now suffering
for the want of such facili ies as will enable
those sections to grow to their natural emi
nence. Then let the ball roll on and gather
strength by its own motion, until the people
shall see that its power will make our State
more prosperous and glorious than our op
ponents ever dreamed of.— Albany Patriot.
The Errors of the “Republican.”
“We have no patience with thdsc would
be constitutional dissertations against the
laws prohibiting the slave trade. The men
who made the Constitution, made those
laws, and it is to be presumed that they un
derstood the extent of authority granted in
an instrument of their own creation quite as
well as the second generation that has fol
lowed them. The abolition of the African
slave trade was as much a part of the origi- j
na! compact, as much a stipulation on our
part and a condition to the formation of this
government, as any other provision con
tained it! the constitution, as is clearly shown
by the debates that preceded and accompa
nied the formation of that instrument. The
same men who entered into this stipulation,
afterwards carried it out in good faith—as
our fathers did every thing—by enacting
the present prohibitory laws.”
Mr. Editor: —The above remaiks are a
part of an editorial of the Savannah Repub
lican, of May 30. There was not a single
member of the Convention that framed and
adopted the Constiiution of the United
States in Congress at the time that Congress
passed laws niakirg the external trade of |
■ slavery murder and robbery. Therefore, I 1
say, the men who made the Constitution did
not make the laws makirg it murder and
robbery to bring a negro from Africa. Mr.
Madison, (the father of the Constitution)
and many others who made that instrument,
believed and contended that Congress had a
! right to exclude Slavery from the Territories,
i yet sir, the Supreme Court of the “ Second ,
generation” has decided that Congress had
no right to exclude Slavery ftom the Terri
tories, although “it is to be presumed that
they understood the ex'ent of the authority
granted i n an instrument of their own crea
tion quite as well as the “ whipper snapper”
Judges of the Supreme Court of the “Second j
generation.’” The Republican says, “ the
abolition of the Slave Trade was as much a
part of the original compact, as much a stip
ulation on our part, and a condition to the
formation of this government as any other
provision contained in the Constitution, as
is clearly shown by the debates that prece
ded and accompanied the formation of that
instrument.” I deny it, and boldly say,
that neither the debates of the Convention,
nor the debates of the first Congress after
the adoption of the Constitution, show that
the abolition of the Slave Trade was a part
of the “original compact.” The debates of
both clearly prove the reverse of the Repub
lican s assertion, for Rutledge, Holland, Jack
son, Baldwin and others who helped tomake
the Constitution said there was no power in
the Constitution giving Congress the right
to prohibit the Slave Trade. These, of
course, according to the Republican , were
j “ whipper-snapper politicians.” The Con
stitutional soul of the Republican would re
coil at the touch of such “ whipper-snapper
politicians” and shrink back from the con
tact of such treason as taught by the patri
j ots Rutledge, Jackson, Baldwin, Randolph,
Holland, Ellsworth and others of like trea
sonable purposes. The Republican is truly
unfortunate, when he invokes the great
name of Troup, to sustain him in his defence i
of the laws prohibiting the externa’ trade of
Slavery, for the great argument of G. M.
Troup was made in opposition to the laws
making it murder and robbery to bring a
negro from Africa to the United States.—
The editor of the Republican, may be the
Czar of all the Savannah's, but be is not yet j
the Cztr of all Georgia. He may bluster,
and swagger, and play the Mogul as much !
as he pleases, the Convention will be held in j
Georgia in spite of his highness’ royal man
date. GEORGIA.
From the Fav. News.
Governor tlcltae.
Those who read the proceedings of the
late Southern Convention remember that
Gov. Mcßae addressed a letter to the Con
vention, enclosing the resolutions upon the
su'ject of the slave trade which the Conven
tion adopted. The Governor, apprehensive,
from sickness in his family, that he would
not be able to attend the Convention, for
warded his resolutions to the Executive
Committee, and they were presented by Mr
Roy, on the first day. Gov. Mcßae subse
quently arrived himself in time to partici
pate in the dtbate upon them. We have
seen no published report of his speech.— i
The Vicksburg Sun, speaking of it says:—
“It was a speech of great brilliancy and
power. He favored the repeal of the laws
forbidding the trade with Africa, in negroes,
and his argument on that point was as clear
as a sunbeam. He took the position that
those laws were unconstitutional—that they
operated to hold down the energies of the
South, while they correspondingly build up
the material and political greatness of the
North. The be-t interest of the South call
ed aloud for their repeal. The speaker made
a glowing appeal in favor of the acquisition
of Cuba. His speech touching that point,
elicited unbounded applause from all parts
of the house. It was throughout a bold
Southern speech—a speech that did honor
to him as a Mississippian and a patriot.—
There is, perhaps, no man in the South who
has more of the elements of boldness, candor
and honesty, as a public man, than Gov.
Mcßae. He does not take any half way po
sition on any subject. When convinced
that a measure is right in itself, he. without
stopping to inquire whether its advocacy
would likely result favorable upon his polit-i
cal prospects, takes hold of it boldly and
follows the question to its logical conclusion. .
This is the kind of men that the South
needs at the present crisis, and would to 1
God she had more of them than she now has
got. Those time serving politicians who are
afraid to say that their lives are their own,
without weighing the propriety of the as
sertion in the scales of self inteiest, are on
ly worthy of the contempt of honest men.
They, if occupying high positions, are a dis
grace to the official robes in which they are
invested. In any event they are uuworthy
of the name of an American. The South
has no need of such men; their presence
within her limits can only serve to bring con
tempt upon the cause she has so much at
heart. We want bold, strong men—men
who have the ability to advocate and the
firmness to carry out those measures cal
culated to advance her interests in the on
ward march of empire, and not those pul
ling, cowardly politicians, whose lack of
moral courage is only equalled by their sel
fish dispositions. We are getting heartily
sick of the backboneless politicians, and
would be willing to see them consigned to
the sack and the bosphoru9 of political re
-1 tiracy.
Cheap Lands in Alabama.
A subscriber to the Southern Cultivator,
writing from the neighborhood of Valberma
so Springs, Morgan coonty, says: “You are
perhaps not aware that large bodies of good
land may be obtained here at low rates;
such lands as wi 1 muke from 6 to 10 barrels
of corn, and 1000 to 1500 pounds of cotton
per acre. On the Mountain plateau dividing
North and South Alabama, from 60 to 80
miles across,) soil dark sandy loam, and
i which contains superior smaller bodies of
black land may yet be entered at cents
per acre. This is my opinion one of the
• finest countries for Stock farms in the South.
The fruit crop never fails there. Do send us
some of your thinking Georgia farmers, to
give the natives here some lessons in agri- i
: culture.”
Poisoned with Whiskey. —At North
Buffalo, N. Y, two small boya, about five or
six years of age, were sent out by the father
of one to buy a pint of whiskey. The little
fellows, imitating the example of elder per
sons, sat down and partook liberally of the
| fire water. During the forenoon they were 1
i found dreadfully intoxicated and ill, and
were conveyed home, and one died during ,
the night. ‘
From the Savannah Xeics.
Slave Trade Meeting in Barke.
Col. Wm. B. Gaulden having arrived in
Waynesboro', Ga., on Friday, May 27th,
1859, he was cordially welcomed, and after
his Honor Judge William W. Holt, adjourn
-1 ed Court, for tea, a respectable, intelligent,
aud enthusiastic audieuce, consisting of the
numerous members of the bar, in attendance
’ upon the Superior Court, then in session, and
the wealthy planters and patriotic citizens
of g&llan; old Burke, assembled at the Court
House.
On motion of Robert R. Lawson, Esq.,
Judge Joseph A. Shewmake was called to
the Chair, and Mr. John D, Ashton, of
Scriven, appointed Secretary.
The Hon. Chairman.in his usually felicitous
style, explained, in a few happy and deci
dedly appropriate remarks, the object of the
meeting, and recommended the distinguish
■ ed orator to the kindness and hospitality of
his fellow-citizens.
We shall attempt only a brief synopsis of
the eloquent and logical speech of the i nti
nent gentleman, for we feel it impossible to
do justice to the strength, energy, and abil
ity with which he supported the various po
sitions which he assumed.
His exordium was replete with sound and
patriotic sentiments, and was a finished and
ornate—a thrilling and inspiring appeal to
all Southern men.
He then proceeded to show that slavery
was morally, religiously, and legally right,
aDcl that if the slave trade was considered
just and expedient between the several States
of the American confederacy, and was recog
nized and protected alike by State and Fed- i
eral laws, it was equally just and legal tore- i
open the African slave trade.
The able representative of the numerous
class, holding this doctrine, and the zealous
advocate of this true and genuine Southern
policy, then proceeded to review the various
Congressional enactments, and commented,
both with force and learning, upon their sec
tionalism and unconstitutionality. He made
manifest their urjustness, and exhibited,
in brilliant and forcible language, their
anti-Southern spirit and absolute aboli
tionism.
He dwelt with great power and convinc
ing eloquence upon the anxiety and indecent
haste with which the Northern representa
tives in Congress anticipated the Constitu
tional clause, fixing the abolition of the slave
trade at 1808, by passing an act in 1807—
one year before the Federal Constitution
gave them the authonty.
He argued at length the Act of 1820,
making the African slave trade piracy, and
punishable with death. His remarks upon
the iniquitous system of criminal practice,
inaugurated by the Acts of Congress, in
trials for piracy, in the law of 1820, were
thrilling, and calculated to arouse every true
Southern man tO‘ a sense of the injus
tice and oppression of such ex parte legisla
tion.
The honorable gentleman then appealed
to all patriots to join in an organization,
whose cardinal principles shall be Southern
rights institutions, and an immediate repeal
of all unjust and iniquitious Federal laws.—
He was loudly responded to by long and
enthusiastic plaudits.
Having concluded his able speech, the
Hon. Thos. W. Miller, asked if those laws
were unconstitutional, if it were the duty of
the President to enforce them with refer
ence to the Wanderer?
The Honorable gentleman replied: If j
Ike President thought them unconstitutional he j
pe'jured himself in executing them.
On motion of M. D. Jones, E-q., the
thanks of the meeting were tendered to
the lion. W. B. Gaulden for the able and
eloquent manner in which he presented the
great truths which formed the subject of his I
speech.
On motion, it was ordered that these pro
ceedings be published in the Savannah and
Augusta papers, and in the Waynesboro’
A ews.
JOS. A. SHEWMAKE, Chairman.
John D. Ashton, See’y.
From the Columbus Times, 28 th.
A Singular Development of Treason.
The late Southern Convention at Vicks
burg, resolved to hold its next session at
Atlanta, in this State. The Savannah Re
publican, in a recent issue, declares it to be
an assemblage of individual? for treasonable
objects, and calls upon our next Legislature j
to regard it as such, and to prohibit its an
ticipated meeting by the enactment of a law
providing pains and penalties adequate there
to. The particular feature in the Vicksburg
Convention, which has exposed it and its
1 successors to the indignation and denuncia
tion of the Republican, is its action upon the
question of re-opening the Slave Trade.—
i Because such action did not correspond with
the views of that journal, it seeks to stifle i
all discussion thereon by the strong arm of
the law. But, if such sentiments be treason
able, their propagation is equally criminal, by
whatever means it may be effected. In
, comparison ofpporerw r er to wield an influence
upon public opinion, the press lias no com
petitor in a free country. Conventions and
all other agencies combined, would have
scarcely a feather’s weight in the scale
against an untrammeled and united press.
To be consistent, therefore, the Republican
should advocate the imposition, by the Leg
slature, of shackles upon this great lever.— :
Indeed, it might go farther and say that men
shall not agitate the subject in conversation—
the laws prohibiting the slave trade, are holy
ground, upon which the citizen may not
dare to tread, and breathe the spirit of re
peal. But our cotemporary is the organ of
the party, one of the principles of which,
(indeed, originally the base work of its organ
ization) is opposition to the immigration of
’ foreigners, or, it was in favor of so modify
ing the existing laws in relation thereto as
to operate a prohibition. Now the provi
sion in the Constitution which would war
rant such legislation by Congress, is con
tained in the identical section whence was
derived the authority to abolish the Slave
Trade. If any power be conveyed, it is
equal and coterminous on both subjects, and
! if it be treason to advocate the repeal of
laws prohibiting the importation of Slave*,
the Republican and its party were engaged
in a treasonable purpose in seeking the re
peal of laws regulating the introduction of
foreigners. We have no idea of forcing the
Republican to choose between the horns of
this dilemma. We do not think there was
treason in either case. The press, and the
people in Convention or elsewhere, have the
right to discuss any subject which either
may deem important to the political, social
and moral well-being of the country, and no
greater tyranny could be inaugurated than
that which the abridgment of this right
would impose. We do not concur in the
policy which received the sanction of the
Vicksburg Convention ; but we see nothing
in its action to excite alarm or to justify
legislative interference with the unbridled
privilege of free discussion. As little do we
t perceive in the article of our cotemporary
to awaken the fear that the next, or any
succeeding Legislature of Georgia will re
spond to its invocation.
GEORGIA CITIZEN.
L. F. W. ANDREWS. Editor.
MACON, JUNE 4. 1859.
Hew York andSavannh Steamers.
A dispatch received here, on Thursday,
announces the pleasing intelligence that R.
R. Cuyler, Esq. has succeeded in purchasing
the Steam Ships Florida, Augusta and Ala
bama, advertised to be sold in New York
on AVednesday, and that there will,therefore,
be no interruption in the line of navigation
between Savannah and New York. The
Steam Ship Augusta will leave Savannah on
Saturday.
C hristian Spiritualist.—The 19th
No. ot this Semi-Monthly publication will
be issued on Saturday. Its contents will be
rich, varied and inte'esting.
Death af Dr. Beyd.—The Atlanta papers
announce the death in that city, on Friday
last, of Dr. J. D. Boyd, Proprietor of the
Trout House. His disease was Pneumonia.
He was a much esteemed citizen and a wor
thy man.—
The Field and Fireside, —A\ e have publish
, ed the prospectus of this paper, aud gave
two notices of it, (which appear not to have
been seen by the Proprietor,) and have re
ceived only one number. AVas it published
last w’oek ? If so, we shall be pleased to
have it come up regularly.
Grand Jury Presentments.— Though entire
ly gratuitous on our part, (the Grand Jury in
a fit of very poor economy, having ordered
their presentments published in only tjco of
the City papers,) we give in this issue so
much of the Grand Jury Presentments as
are of most public importance.
.Hit. Vernon.— Mrs. Eve, of Augusta,
the Regent of the Ladies Mt. A r ernon Asso
ciation, has appointed the following A'ice
Regents in Macon : Mrs. Mary Baber, Mrs.
Geo. AV. Price, Mrs. Chas. Collins and Af rs.
Leroy Napier.
These Ladies will be happy to receive the
contributions of all who are disposed to aid 1
in the patriotic work of purchasing Mount j
A'ernon.
Grand Encampment I- 0- 0. F.
This body convened in this City on Tues- i
day, in annual meeting, and transacted the
usual business. The following are the offi
cers elected and installed for the ensuing j
yeai :
M. W. G. P.—George K. Dodge.
M. E. H. P.—H. B. Treadwell,
R. AA . G. S. W.— E. C. Sherwood,
R. W. Grand Scribe—Geo. R. Barker.
R. AV. G. Treasurer—E. C. Grannis,
R. AV. G. Sentinel—J. J. Forsyth.
Moral Censors.
A few of our coteinpora
ries are just now engaged in the very pleas
ant and self-imposed task of ferreting out
obnoxious matter in the advertising columns
of their neighbors, and calling on the good
! public to put down the Journals who offend
against their sense of modesty, in this par- j
ticular! We put it to the consideration of 1
these censors, whether they are not aggra
vating the evil, if it be one, by inviting pub- |
I lie attention, specially, to matters, which,
but for their prying and meddlesome dispo •
sitions, all would have remained in bliss
ful ignorance of. We know nothing, abso
lutely nothing of the nature of certain pa-
I tent medicines advertised by us, and do not
; feel called on to defend them from the impu
tations charged. Possibly all such things
are injurious, or may be abused. So may all
the good things of life. But that is no rea- j
1 * on against the proper use of medicine when \
one is sick and in need of a sanative. AA’e
| say, then, do not stir a matter, which, if let j
alone, will not necessarily create a loud j
smell, even to delicate olfactories. A news
paper that cannot succeed on its own merits
without trying to disparage others, will j
hardly progress rapidly in so disinterested a
l task of self advancement.
*
R W Grand Lodge, I 0. 0- F.
The Grand Lodge I. O. O. F. of the State 1
of Georgia, convened in this city, on yester
day. and will probably adjourn this afternoon.
There isquite a respectable numberof Repre
sentatives. Past Grand officers and Past
Grands present in Council, and the busi
ness of the Grand Lodge is progressing in
I harmony. From the reports of the M. W.
G. Master, J. G. Deitz, and the R. AV. Grand
Secretary, it appears that the O.der has had !
a season of revival, during the past year, and
an unusual accession of membership. The
! best feeling prevails and the motto on the
shield of the brotherhood is onward and
upward.
The election of Grand officers is made the
special order for the hour of 11 a. m., to-day,
and we shall endeavor to procure the list in
season for our weekly edition.
On yesterday afternoon, the Odd Fellows
of Macon had a celebration in honor of the
Grand Lodge, consisting of a procession;
address by Rev. Bro. Rogers, of Griffin, and
a supper at 8 o’clock, p. m., all of which
passed oft” happily and agreeably.
The address of Bro. R _ was one of the
very best we ever had the good fortune to
hear. It was a masterly exposition of the
great principles ot the Order, and an elo
quent- commendation of its sublime teach
ings and good works. Asa copy has been
solicited so imperatively and so unanimous
ly for publication, we indulge the hope that j
the gifted sjieaker will yield assent to the
request made, for the “goodof the Order.”
Os the supper, provided by C. H. Free
man, it will be sufficient to say that it was j
gotten up in Charley’s best style. The ta
bles groaned with the substantials and lux
uries of life, without any of the stimulating
adjuvants that usually accompany and give
artificial inspiration to such occasions. Sev
eral of the clergy were present, by invita
tion, and seemed greatly to enjoy the festiv
ities. We also had the “ feast of reason and
the flow of soul,’’in some off hand speeches,
sentiments and toasts, from various gentle
men representing the clergy, the press, the
bar, railroad and other corporations, Ac.
Semi- Weekly Citizen, June 2.
P. S. On yesterday, Thursday, the Grand
Lodge held an election for Grand officers,
with the following result:
M. tV. G. Master, B. F. Dense.
R. W. D. G. “ Ira E. Dupree.
R. W. G. Warden, James J. Humphries.
R. W. G. Secretary, George R. Barker.
R. W. G. Treas. E. C. Grannis.
R. W. G. Representative, Geo. Patten.
These officers being installed into their
respective stations, Grand Master Dense
announced the following appointment of
subordinates :
R. W. Grand Chaplain, Rev. John W.
Burke; R. W. Grand Marshal, 8. Levy;
R. W. G. Conductor, T. J. Micklejohn;
R. W. G. Guardian, Geo. R. Dodge; R.
W. Grand Herald, J. J. Forsyth.
The Grand Lodge adjourned in the after
noon.
A Beautiful Token.
At the usual session of the Grand Lodge
of I. O. O. F., of Georgia, June 1857, the
following resolution was unanimously adop
ted by that body:
Resolved, That this Grand
a high appreciation of the faithful and >
continued services of our R. AN’. /’ n ?
; Secretary, Geo. Patten, and being
of evincing our respect for said past
in some special manner, do hereby a
- the R. W. Grand Master and the R
Grand Treasurer, to procure a jewel, j rn
shape of a gold j*>n with feather, w ; th a
- inscription, setting forth the feet i m
ded to be expressed, and present the
Past Grand Secretary Patten, in the -
j °f the Grand Lodge of Georgia.’
The committee charged with the A
| have performed it very satisfactorily
| jewel is a beautiful article of solid gold .- S
cuted by A'antroup & Silver, artist*. £.
more. It consists of a scroll 21 to 3 j n ,V
square, two of its edges being rolled u ’ ’’
versely, and crossed by two gold pen? ‘ u
feathers, and having a golden chain oft/”
links, connecting and serving to suspend
jewel. On its front is inscribed as folio/
I. o. O. F.
presented to
i PAST GRAND SECRETARY
GEORGE PATTEN
BY THE
R. AV. GRAND LODGE
Os Georgia,
1837.
This is a splendid affair, handsomely s> •
ten up, and reflecting great credit upon th
artists wao executed the work. A more fit
ting testimonial of esteem could not cli
have bee a deviser!, nor could the tribute hav.
been besr.owed on a brother of the Ortf?.
j more worthy of the honor.
The Savannah Republican.
This journal persists in its position, that
the Southern Convention is a bodv of tra
tors, that ought not to be allowed to hold a
meeting in Georgia. In reply to some ? C g t h.
I ing strictures of the Columbus Time?, tfi?
Republican says:
“ The advice of this paper to exclude the
Southern Convention Irom this State,
not based merely upon its passage of a res
olution condemning the laws against th e
slave trade and demanding their repeal. The
history of the convention was reviewed and
its objcecs adduced therefrom. That object
we religiously believe to be the overthrow
of the Federal Constitution and the disrup
j tion of the government Men with suehn
purpose in their heart, are not apt to eor
’ fess it to the world, and without suspicion
they mfey sometimes the most effective
means for the accomplishment of their end.
It is jus: so with the leading spirits of this
Convention. They hold out a variety of
S flags to tleceive'the unwary, but every meet
: ing held for the last three years demonstrates
to the intelligent mind thac the black flag of
Disunion is the only true one.
We have no countenance nor quarter for
such people ; and the State of Georgia hi?
long since repudiated them as consummate
ly foolish or diabolically wicked. They do
not belong to her borders, and after so em
phatic a eondem nation it is an insult for them
to obtrude their dangerous presence upon
Iter. AV e have no sympathy lor their revo
lutionary designs, and we cannot see why
laws should not be passed against them as
well as against any other incendiaries. \Y e
have severe penalties already upoh the stat
ute book for men far less dangerous to the
peace of society and the govern -x ent under
which we live.”
Worse and worse, Air. Republican, though
perfectly “ characteristic ” of your disposi
tion to lord it over other people’s motive?
and consciences. You presume or stsped
Southern men to be disunionists and incen
diaries and plotting the disruption of the
Government, and on that bald presumption
you denounce them. Ycm have cast y r
omniscient vision into the hearts of the
Southern Conventionists, and have psychrn
etrized their souls, so clearly as to be able to
tell all their aims and purposes, to a dead
certainty, and your verdict is, that they are
guilty of foul wrong and conspiracy! But
it does not seem to have entered yourimag
ination, that it was no secret midnight cabal
of whom you have been speaking, but an
open convention of freemen and patriot-,
to discuss the important questions bearing
on Southern Rights and Southern interest?
Are such men, acting thus boldly, JchargeaWe
with revolutionary and unlawful purpose?,
which do not appear in their public proceed
ings ? Are they “ consummately foolish and
diabolically wicked,” because their view? do
not correspond with those of the Savannah
Republican? Os course we do not deny the
right of the Republican to its opinion, and
to a free expression of its sentiments. Only
let that print suppose other people to be a
honest and as true to their section as it? Ed
itor is, and there would be no room for de
nunciation and abuse for a mere difference
of opinion.
The primary objects of the Conventioni.-t?
is to effect a constitutional reform of exist
ing statutes that have been imposed upon a
betrayed South by a Northern sentiment.—
They have not even threatened to “disrupt
every tie that binds us to the L’nion of the
States,” if their efforts are not successful,
although we believe that they have the rig At.
in the last resort, to seek such redress for
their grievances, as our Revolutionary fath
ers of ’76, asserted and maintained the right
to throw off the yoke of their tyrants —the
English King and Parliament. We can see
no difference in the principle of the two ca
ses. Our contemporary should aid in the
repeal of obnoxious laws, rather than to
study to }>erj>etuHte them, by intimidating
the jieople against resistance. Good andjust
laws will lie respected, but it is treason to
one's own nature to submit to tyranny, with
out even the poor privilege of complaint.—
As Carlyle says, f&gjf “If y° u would haw
your laws obeyed without mutiny, see well
that they be pieces of God Almighty's law.
1 otherwise all the artillery in the world wii.
not keep down mutiny.”
Jfew Advertisements,
H. Horne gives a special notice to
those going on pie nir. and pleasure excur
sions, that he is ready to supply them with
all the necessary refreshments for the inner
roan.
fisgT Greer A Freeman has made arrange
ments to receive a good supply of fresh But
ter by Steamer, weekly, from the land of
Goshen.
fy Anew candidate for the notice of la
diesis presented in Scoville A Goodel’s SOif 1 -
lar Sewing Machine, now on exhibition ar.u
sale at Bolshow A Herzog’s Lamp Store.
Cotton Avenue. We shall have more t
say of this machine when we hare had a •
ter opportunity of examining it.
ty Nathan Weed again invites the a.
tention of Planters to his assortment of Ag
ricultural Implements, Horse Power?, &
ggjj- Amos Benton has provided a nice
retreat, on his own grounds, for the accom
modatioh of those fond of cooling beve.
ages. We hope his “Spring Garden en
terprise will be properly appreciated and
erally encouraged.
Horace Fitch A Cos. offer anew sup
ply of fashionable and seasonable clothing
and other goods. This is an establish
house, and has the well earned reputs.,
of selling at the lowest rates.
Death of Hon. oTotcTw. Thomas.-TJ*
Stockton (California) papers announce
death of Hon. George W. Thomas who a
on Saturday morning, 30th April. Be
represented Stanislaus county in the b p £‘*
lature the past three years. Deceased w
a native of Georgia, but emigrated to
fornia from Texas in 1840. During the Alex
ioan war he served as surgeon in the armj
He was aged fifty-two years.