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AMflßliAl lIMii&IT. The most perfect Government would be that which, emanating directly from the People, Governs least —Costs least —Dispenses Justice to all, and confers Privileges on None. —BENTIIAM. J ' DR. WJI. GREEN -EDITOR. AOTRI3AIT DEMOCRAT. PUBLISHED WEEKLY, BY W. A. & C. THOMPSON, MULBERRY STREET, MACON, GEO. AT TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM, tO“ IN ADVANCE. -03 Advertisements inserted at the Customa ry Prices. TO THE READER. The designation we have chosen for our Journal, and the quotations adopted <is our motto, might be considered as suf ficient exposition of the principles on which it would be conducted. And as we are averse to thrice told tales and long talks, had we nonebut ourselves to please, the paper should be allowed to speak for itself, and we should not add word on the subject. Custom however, has in this instance (perhaps more wisely) directed otherwise. In submission to her mandates we subjoin what follows. It will be recollected that early in the year forty-one, a number of patriots alarm ed for the safety of our free institutions and the integrity of the Union, menaced as they were by the disorganizing pro ceedings and developed views of the W big leaders during tint Presidential contest of IS4O, made a strenuous effort to establish in this City a Democratic press ; circum stances beyond their control and altogeth er unanticipated rendered their efforts for the time unavailing. The enterprize, however was merely postponed, but not for a moment abandoned and the present publication is the result. As the prospectus prepared on the oc casion referred to, affords a full exposition of the principles and views on which our paper will be conducted, we proceed to place it with slight alterations before our readers. The publishers, aided by an association of literary gentlemen, will continue to issue from their office a weekly Journal, devoted to the assertion and diffusion of Constitutional Democracy. In this as sociation are equally represented, those portions of the Union and State Rights parties, which in the portentous crisis of 1840, generously repudiating former pre judices and antipathies, pressed forward to rescue the Free Institutions of om country from the grasp of their would-be destroyers, meeting each other as a band of brothers, united and organized un der the prouder and more appropriate style of State Rights Democrats, or the party of the People and the Consitution. This was, indeed, in the truest and lofti est acceptation of the phrase, a “Union for the Sake of the Union? What Democrat does not now exult in the choice that lie made at that trying pe riod ? Twenty Sovereignties of this mighty Confederacy, by adopting a sim ilar course, have already placed upon it the Broad Seal of their Approbation, and pronounced its Eulogium in a voice, amid whose reverberations the strong holds of Federal corruption have been prostrated. But, while, as uncompromising advo cates of Democratic principles, we hold it to be our paramount duty to insist upon the master-facts, that if the Liberties and .Union of the American people are to con tinue for any protracted period, the Con stitution and the Rights of the States, must be preserved intact and inviolate, -the legislation in Congress must be impar tial and unsectional, and even-handed justice, rigid but judicious economy, re form, retrenchment and thorough re sponsibility, beestablishedin every branch both of the General and State Govern ments, yet, onr paper will not he exclu sively political. We arc anxious that the Democrat, by early, varied and accurate intelligence, should be a useful companion to the man of business, and by the interest of its news and tasteful selections from the elegant literature of the day, an acceptable visit ant in the domestic circle. To the friends of Religion, Virtue, Humanity, Educa tion and Social Improvement, we shall ever be found prompt and cordial auxilia ries. That we shall at once realize all we wish on this subject, we are not so imag inative as to expect; but to whatever zeal, untiring exertion und liltcral expenditure in procuring the necessary appliances, I cun effect, we may safely pledge our-! selves. DEMOCRATIC BANNER TREE TRADE; DOW DUTIES; NO DEBT; SEPARATION FROM BANKS; ECONOMY; RETRENCHMENT; AND A STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE CONSTITUTION.—.#. C. C.ILMIOU.V. From the central position of this city, surrounded as it is by a widely extended country and a numerous population, we are persuaded, (without intending to de rogate from the journals already in publi cation) that the establishment of such a press as we contemplate, in Macon, is of vital importance to sustain and increase the influence of sound political opinions, and promote the interests of the State. A few words respecting our intercourse as Editors Temperate gentlemanly re marks on onr labors, we will notice in a spirit of reciprocal courtesy. Towards our former comrades, with whom in by gone days we stood long and faithfully, shoulder to shoulder, battling for the very same principles we contend for now, we still look in sorrow not in hostility and still extend the olive-branch of con ciliation. As the spirit and morale of the Demo crat are concerned —an inviolable re spect for Truth in any statement we sanc tion— a strait-forward, unharnessed In dependence—a determination to render impartial justice to friends and oppojpnts —an undeviating adherence to the gold en maxim, that clear, unmingled Hones ty in Politics, as in common life, is the strongest and most successful Policy, are the principles by which we shall be gov erned. The descent from the exciting and lof ty topics we have touched upon, to the soul quelling, heart chilling concerns of dollars and cents, is a process neither congenial or agreeable, but alas, to this complexion, per necessity we must come at hist- The annual subscription to the Ameri can Democrat, is TWO DOLLARS, paid punctually in advance , which, if not done on the receipt of the second number, Ave assure our friends in all courtesy, will be received as an intima tion that the person cuts the Democrat’s acquaintance. We have thus reduced the rate of subscription from regard of the necessities of times, and to place it within reach of as many of our fellow citizens as practicable. But with whate\ r er sincerity, zeal and devotedness of purpose to be useful to do the State some sendee Ave are ani mated, the ultimate success of the con templated publication depends on the en ergetic aid of our Democratic friends be ing rendered now, (in enlarging our sub scription, and obtaining it in all cases, in advance,) and the generous patronage of the public as subscribers and advertising customers. For the generous aid of our friends in the different sections of the State, we ask not for ourselves but for the cause. As Ave before intimated, in other cir cumstances we should have spared our selves this perhaps over-lengthy expose, and most confidently have turned the Democrat loose upon the Avorld, to seek its destiny, and fall or succeed, succumb or triumph, according to its deserts. Per haps, after all, it is but fair, that those invited to a repast for which they are to pay, should be furnished with a bili of fare. THE EDITOR. From the Augusta Constitutionalist. As Ave have published a long extract of a letter from a friend, upon the subject of the next presidential election, Ave have thought proper to give the conclusion of his remarks. The Avritcr is a patriot, and an ardent friend of the union; and in his honest conviction of the policy which should be pursued in order to maintain that union, he can find no other principle but that of a strict adherence to the con stitution, Avhich will always preserve the rights of the states confederated. The conclusion of our friend’s letter is as fol loA\ r s; “ I take occasion here to remark, that you must not conclude, from the interest 1 manifest in the success of Mr. Calhoun, that it arises from any personal predilec tion. With him, I have not eA'en the slightest personal acquaintance; nor did I ever see him but once in my life, and then but fora few minutes. No, sir, it is from a deeply settled conviction, that the ascendancy of democratic principles, and a consistent and firm adherence to them, beyond all doubt or suspicion of insin cerity, as well as an equally well settled conviction, that the vital interest of the south especially, and the preservation of our union, all unite ut the present time, in requiring of the southern democracy, to present Mr. Calhoun to the Conven tion in May’44, with its whole united moral strength, a# our candidate for the Presidency. For, disguise it ns we may, this mode of nomination, by a national MACON, AVEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1843. ! convention,has superceded, and virtually ! OA r errides, the constitutional process by the electoral colleges. These latter, hav ing noAv, in practice, only the function left them of registering the decrees of the | National Convention. Hence the im portance I attach to the decision of the j south upon the seeming preliminary', but real election of the Chief Magistrate, as far as the strength of the democracy of the nation can effect the object; and hence too, the great importance of secu ring the fairest and fullest representation of the party in that convention. Let us have no packed jury in this momentous national concern; no great decision of the American democracy upon so vital a matter, brought about by the intrigues of | a clique of unprincipled political gam i biers, Avhose motto is “all for the spoils,” and nothing for principles. Let us watch closely the movements of aspirants for the Presidential Office; and if Ave find one of them, aiding indirectly, or permit ting the “pipe laying” system to be prac tised in his favor, to discard him promptly as unworthy our support. It is high time that the standard of political morals should be eleA r atcd in this country ; that the growing impression upon the public mind that our government has become corrupt and unworthy the confidence of the people, should be corrected. And how shall A\ r e begin this work of eleva ting the standard of political morals, and inducing a reaction in the public mind favorable to the political virtue of the government ? I answer, by elevating to the Chief Magistracy, a man who lias never condescended to mingle in tire closet intrigues of the Washington Avire workers; who has stood aloof from the trammals of party discipline; who has evinced through a long service in the councils of his country, a moral energy of character, Avliich dares to pursue the right in defiance of private and personal considerations, and a man too, who stands conspicuously prominent as the first statesman of the age, who has no trained bands in his service, to be rewarded for gone by virtues. Such a man is now presented to tire people of the U. States. Will the south, in such a crisis, be so blind to her interests, so reckless of her future safety, as to refuse to elevate to the first olliee in the government, a man avlio is by birth, blood, sympathy, and princi ple, one of her noblest, most talented and patriotic sons ! One avlio, whatever may iiave been his apparent inconsistencies, had never been found false to her honor and her interest in the hour of trial ! one too, Avho never shrinks from his duty to his country from party policy, or want of moral courage to sustain and defend 1 “ the right, the just, aiid the truth?” Especially, will the great democratic party of the nation, who, at this moment, owe more to this bold, honest, and dar ing champion of its principles, than to any other public character now upon the political stage, suffer this occasion to pass without an bfl'ort to bring back the ad ministration of the government to the true principles of the constitution ? If we are sincere in our profession of prin ciples our political creed, —our course is plain —in Mr. Calhoun aa-c have the very personification of democratic prin ciples— and with him as President, the south may endure the workings of the federal system for some time to come— which I do not believe it can, if the an tagonist principles and their great advo cate, should rule in the ascendant. It cannot be considered rash or un charitable for a man to express the con- A'ictions of his mind; and it has been, and is now my belief, that the Union Avill not survive the administration of Mr. Clay, should he unfortunately be elevated to power; unless the opposition in Con gress be sufficiently strong to resist his measures—or he be Avise enough to re versc the Avhole order of his political life. This he will not do—and hence the dan ger of a dissolution of the Union, should he succeed to power. There is at pres ent a calm in the political affairs of the country —-but it is not the calm of safety or prosperity—it is the calm of that “sol itude” which ;l reckless party has made, which is called peace. The country is now in a stupor, produced by the high political game Avhich has been playing before it, but it will ere long be aroused to action, to reform, to redress. Mr. Van Buren has done the state some, perhaps much, service: this must be con ceded : his country has rewarded hitn for doing his duty— amply rewarded him he should ask no more lie has shared his country's honors bountifully —and through the all-poAverful influence of the veteran Hero of Orleans, combined with his own merit, has moulded the public affairs of the Union for the past twelve years. What more should he ask or de sire of the people ? Why surely the time of one generation is enough to satisfy the thirst for dominion of any reasonable man. The time is approaching, when avc shall require a more bold, daring and de cided democrat than Mr. Van Buren is or ever has been. The half-way house must be given up, and we must strike for principles to the heart’s core. We can not call Mr. Van Buren a decided advo cate of free trade he is for a “judicious tarifr’ —a discriminating tariff. We cun- not rely upon Mr. Van Buren’s moral ! courage, in case of a powerful and over whelming majority in Congress, in faA'or of abolishing slaA-ery in the district of Columbia, for he is not restrained by con stitutional scruples from approaching it. j True, he is opposed to it upon expedien cy; but who can assert that expediency may not change in his view of the sub ject ? Reviewing the whole ground,and look ing forward to struggles that the South will ere fang ha\ T e to encounter, with hosts against us, my firm and unchanged conviction is, that we, of the south, have but one alternative left —and that is, most distinctly to declare through the press, through our legislatures, through our representation in congress, that our brethren of the free states must give up the protective tariff, and provide by Uiav for the security of our slaA r e property within their resjtective limits, or we must provide for ourselves otherwise. It is our high privilege and duty, lieirerthe less, to exert every power every plan within the sphere and scope of the con stitution, to secure our rights before the filial resort to other means.” From the New York Herald. The Great Moral anil Amalgamation Dali at the Apollo Saloon yesterday. The great annual gathering of the American Anti-Slavery Society, took place yesterday at the Apollo Saloon. The audience Avas chiefly composed of the fair sex, and seldom have the classic, walls of that temple, consecrated to mu sic and the dance, contained a more bril liant display of feminine loveliness.— There were all sorts of beauties. Prim, shy looking “Friends,” Avith eyes as mischievous as their bonnets Avere pro vokingly concealing fresh, plump, ro sy-cheeked girls from Ductless County, Westchester and Long Island—comely matrons from the upper part of the city and an agreeable sprinkling of very pret ty yelloAV girls perfect models of Afri can beauty. As for the male portion of the audience, the virtue was doubtless unquestionable, but the less said about the beauty the better. Tall, lank, down east methodist preachers and class lead ers —-elderly Quakers —and a A r ery re sjx'ctable representation of the colored male population. One thing was re markable about the gentlemen—the enormous dimensions of their shirt col lars. We never recollect to have seen at any public meeting such a quantity of starched linen. The platform Avas erected at the upper end of the room. Immediately in front of the chairman’s scat avos the following placard: SONNETS AND OTIIEK POEMS, BY WM. LLOYD GARRISON, For Salk Here. Then, at a little distance from the plat form was a table coA'crcd with the “Son nets,” in plain and fancy binding. Conspicuous amongst the audience Ave saw the beautiful and intellectual face and head of Abby Kelly. She had laid aside her bonnet, and sat Avith her hands folded on her lap, and a pleasant smile lighting up her features. Francis Jackson, Esq., of Boston, one of the Vice Presidents of the Society, took the Chair, and remarked that an op portunity was then afforded to any one who wished to offer prayer, or read a por tion of Scripture. Here there was silence for some min utes, when a colored gentleman named Pennington, from Philadelphia, ascended the platform, and made a brief and appro priate prayer. Joseph C. Hathaavay, Esq., read the annual report. It was dull and pro sy, and put to sleep numbers of the breth ren, avlio had traveled from the country that morning, and Avere suffering from the combined effects of fatigue and the soporific effect of the coffee at the temper ance hotels. Somebody moved the adop tion of the report, but a Mr. Bostwick, of New Hampshire, started to his feet, and objected. lie tlid not agree Avith some of the sentiments and language of the re port, and indeed that it should be laid on the table. Here there were some symptoms of a storm ; but the report Avas eventually laid on the table, and quiet avos restored to the ball room. Mr. James Monroe, a young gentle man of great self-possession, and a nasal voice, then rose, and proposed the first resolution “ That slave holding is ne cessarily destructive of national prosper ity, and that wherever it exists, eA’ery friend of the best interests of his country, is bound to strive for its immediate abo lition.” He concluded a very long and bombastic speech, by speaking of the danger to which the nation was liable front the chances pf some bold aspiring spirit arising, and leading to victory and freedom the masses of the niggers. It might be that the enslaved Sampson might arise and pull down about their ears the pillars of the Commonwealth. (Great applause.) There Avere millions of slaves ready to rise tip at the first tap of the drum. (Cheers.) Was it u time L o build the nation on a magazine of gun poAvder, when the world was crackling with the flame of liberty? (Great ap plause.) Mr. Monroe was so confoundedly pro zy, and spoke so long, that a irood deal of uneasiness manifested itself in the neighborhood of the platform, amongst the brethren who had come prepared to hold forth on the occasion. Watches were pulled out and consulted the jaws of hustling orators expanded to the very borders of dislocation shoulders were shrugged in dramatic a<rony —and one pale gentleman with spectacles, elegantly curled hair, and an awful shirt collar, who had been writing the resolutions at the reporter’s table, almost went oil’ into hysterics. At length, however, Mr. Monroe came suddenly to a stop, and then there were loud cries of “ A song!” —a song !” —a song !” Chairman— Will the gentlemen from New Hampshire favor us with a song? A Voice They ai’nt here. Another Voice they liad’nt no idea that they Avould lie called on for a song. (Cries of “ Douglas” “ Doug las.’’) A tall sturdy mulatto,who rejoiced, it seemed, in the classic name of Douglas, then rose and addressed the meeting, lie proposed the second resolution “ That the Anti-Slavery moA’ement is the only hope of the American slave.” He had been himself a slave, and he could sjieak from experience of the mat ter. Even Avlien a child, he saw in the anti-slavery movement the hope of his race. Instead of thinking of the musket and the battle-axe, he then reposed all his confidence in that movement, and a hope brighter than that of day itself arose in his soul. (Tremendous applause.) The Anti-SlaA r ery Society had kneaded into the very bread of the communion table had mingled with the very Avine typifying the blood of Christ, abolition sentiments. (Great applause.) They saAV great hope in the fact that the jails of Massachusetts Avere locked against the reception of the runaway slaves. (Great cheers.) [Here a young man Avith A r erv red hair and short pantaloons, rose from the vicin ity of the platform and approached Abby Kelly. A short conversation ensued be tw.eeu them, and the young man Avith red hair and short pantaloons, returned to his seat apparently much delighted with the success of his mission, and Ab by smiled sweeter than ever.] Mr. Douglass soon concluded, and there Avere then loud cries of “Kelly Kelly Miss Kelly.” Abby then arose and ascended the platform, amid thunders of applause. The Chairman introduced Abby to the meeting by simply saying “ Abby Kelly”— which elicited fresli demonstra tions of applause. Abby then opened her pretty lips, and spoke as follows : Well has my broth er, avlio has just set down, said that the only hope of the slave is in this move ment. Had they any hope in the Pres byterians? No. In the Baptists ? No. In the Episcopal Church ? No. In the democratic whigs or republicans? No. They prated eterqally about liberty but what liberty ? The liberty to plun der, and to oppress and kill. No; the only hope avos in the abolition move ment. And had not that Spartan band good encouragement ? Soon Avill our enemies be driven before us like chaff before the Avind. Were these not good omens? Look at New York and Vir ginia. Do Ave not recollect when the lit tle band of three hundred were despised by those in the rallies below ? But hoAv avos it now ? One had become a thou sand, and he avlio said that the expecta tions of the poor shall not perish, will arise. Shall Ave lay down our arms? No. By the simple sound of breaking the pitchers, we shall put ten thousand to flight. (Cheers.) Hope is reviving in the hearts of all who hate slavery. No ; I know the American Anti-Slavery Society Avill neA r er be abandoned. (Cheers.) Abby then seconded their resolution, and retired to her seat. William Lloyd Garrison Avas then loudly called for, and ascended the platform. He said he was there against the express orders of his physician that lie had been sick —but his love for the cause impelled him to come andspeak. Lie referred in a rather discursive man ner, and with great vehemence to the Latimer case, and the law of the Legisla ture of the State of Massachusetts, re specting runaway slaves. The South had found out that in that laAv they had caught a Tartar ; and Mr. G. then rela ted the story of catching a Tartar, great ly to the delight of the audience. The slave-hunters had better take care of the North now. (Cheers.) There is a far greater chance of their being carried off to Canada than of the slave being carried back to the South. (Cheers and laugh ter.) Mr. G. then went on to comment at considerable length, in the report of the Committee of the Legislature of Vir ginia respecting tlie Latimer case. But, said ho, the Legislature gave all that re port flic go-by —and it oould hardly fa* said then— “ Old Virginny never tire !” W. A. Sc C. THOMPSON -PUBLISHERS. I NO. 11. (Laughter and cheers.) Mr. G. conclu ded by exhorting the society to increased efforts Blow ye the trumpet over the sea, Jehovah has triumphed— the bondsmen are fiee V’ Randall Phillips, Esq., next ad dressed the meeting, and proposed a res olution to the effect that it was absolutely necessary to break the ecclesiastical bonds which held slavery in existence. (Cries of “ good,” “ good.”) He had conversed with George Latimer the other day, and his opinion had been asked respecting the propriety of ltis coming to that plat form. Mr. P. referred at length to the case of Latimer. But it was enough that sympathy had arisen in behalf of that il lustrious man. They should people the Bay State Avith George Latimer’s. (Tre mendous applause.) After all, George Latimer av;ls bought. (Shame!” shame!”) He hoped the time A\"ould soon come when not to silver and gold would the jails of Massachusetts open, but liberty would close them against the poor runa way slave. [Cheers.] He hoped Mas sachusetts Avould soon burst from her moorings .and be no longer the vassal of a slave holding State. [Tremendous ap plause.] He spoke with great vehemence of the atrocious and infernal latv of Mas sachusetts in relation to the slave. But he did not think much of the power of hw in this day. What was the influ ence even of that intellect Avhich had been christened the “ god like,” in com parison with the constant dropping of the New England pulpit! [Hear, hear, hear.] It was the religious sentiment of Ameri ca that Avas responsible for slavery. The clergy and the churches held in their hands the pulses of the national heart. He hoped that George Latimer would be the Luther of the new revolution. Un der these circumstances, saidjjMr. P., you must lay the Churches und the Consti tution under your feet ! [Cheers and hisses.] A young man about the centre of the room rose and called out “ That's fa natical !” [Hisses.] Mr. Phillips Avent on I make no new proposition ; I ask you to do noth ing more than the chiefest of the revolu tionary heroes did. [Cheers.] Let the prosperity of the nation go Avhere it might, but I Avill provide far its rigfyt eousness. [Cheers.] Let us, as Gran ville Sharpe did, promulgate truths, and let results shift for themselves. [Cheers.] Several other speakers addressed the meeting, but their speeches presented no thing remarkable. A hymn Avas thaw sung and the meeting dispersed. The Florida Election. We have received information to be re lied on, that lea\'cs no doubt of flic re election of Mr. Levy as Congressional Delegate, by a handsome majority. In East Florida he has about 500 majority and about 100 in Middle Florida. In West, Ward will have probably not more than 200 majority, and the vote of South Florida, whichever A\ r ay it goes, cannot change the result. Mr. Levy has de served this mark of confidence and ap proval from his constituents, whom he has ably and honestly served. Charles ton Mercury. r it i; thy. WEALTH, FAME, lOVf AND TRUTH. »H. S. S. ANDREWS. “°h, give me AVealtn!” he said, and lp! The pebble caught the diamond’s glow; And mountain crag and valley mould Burned with the Lues of gem and gold: He had his prayer—’twas his, the whole But grief sat heavy on his soul. “Oh, give me Fame!”—The laurel bough Twined with the oak to wreath his brow ; The trumpet pealed, and poet’s lyre Breathed forth his praise in words of fire j He had his prayer—’twas his, the whole But grief sat heavy on his suuL “Oil, give me Love !” Bright lips were there, Fair brows than Parian stone more fair j And eyes of loveliness undreamed With Beauty’s glorious spirit beamed : He has his prayer—’twas his, the whole A et griet sat heavy on his soul. “ Oh, give me” “ Stay!” —a soft voice came, “ Wealth has been thine, and Love, and Fame; Ask not again, but give thy youth, Time, being, spirit—all —to Truth f And then, though clouds without thee roll, Light—light shall rest Upon thy soul!” THE UGH T OF LIFE. BY c. W. DENISON. “Then spake Jesus: I am the light of the-world? he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” —John viii. 12. ’ There’s a light on the shrine of the Genius of Fame, That she waves where her sanes have their elory unfurled ; But it burns with a mocking and flickering flame, And dies in the damps from the grave of the world. There’s a light lifted, high on the ramparts of Power! Where her blood-clotted battlements frown on the sky; But that ray shall sink down with each tottering tower, And dark ’tnid tlte doom of the universe lie. There’s a light gleaming out from the coffers of AVcalth, And gilding with lustre her pompous array; But its gleam shall all fade when with terrible stealth, Eternity hurries Time’s treasures away. These lights of the earth are but tapers of Death, And burn from miasmas that kill as they glow; They live by a vapor, they die by a breath. And lure all who trust them to darkness and wo. But the light of the Crow is the lamp of our life, And higher shall blase as Death’s tapers go down | ’Twill guide, when the elements die in their strife, To heaven's sure rkiics, its it triple anti crown.