State press. (Macon, Ga.) 1857-18??, November 19, 1857, Image 2

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MACON, GA. Thursday, November 19,1857. The office of the State Press is on Cotton Avenue ix the rooms recently oc- < t riEu by Me. Jacksox Barnes. - ■ TO CORRESPONDENTS Communications from different quarters on nil manner of subjects crowd upon us thick nnd fast. We have made room for as many of them as possible to the exclusion of editorial rticles and miscellaneous matter. Others we have been compelled, greatly to our regret, to postpone till next week. Our friends must have patience; their contributions are always ac ceptable, and will be inserted with pleasure s hen received in time. “TEMPLE " Our correspondent, ‘•Temple." seems to think that the phrase "general administration" in the Milledgeville Resolutions, implies an endorse ment of the Kansas Policy as carried out by Walker. We think lie is mistaken. The phrase was meant to convey just the contrary mean ing. So thinks the " Times A Sentinel,'' and so think we. Had it meant anything else, w e have no idea it could have passed. BANKS. We publish to-day, three communications on the subject of Banks. “Bibb." "Georgia." •nd "Calhoun," are all gentlemen of high intelligence and respectability —to each of whom, we gladly tender a place in our columns whenever it may suit their convenience tofurn ish the public with their views. We invite com munications generally on this subject. The more light, the better. ——_—.— I STtTE AII>. MA'ON AND BRUNSWICK RAIL ROAD Among the many important questions before the present Legislature, the subject of State i Aid holds a prominent position: and without disparaging the claims of similar enterprises, we may be permitted to express our gratifica tion at the fact of the Macon and Brunswick Railroad having enlisted at the Capital the good will of numerous influential friends from ! all parts of the State, ami secured the most , flattering prospects of receiving that assistance . to which it is so justly entitled. This great work of internal improvement cannot fail to ! •'onnnend itself to the favorable consideration ' ■if every intelligent and patriotic member of the General Assembly; for unlike many other roads, it will not be confined in its benefits to ' a particular section, but on the contrary it will , confer advantages, direct or indirect, upon all I portions of the State; giving toSoutliern Geor- I gia the facilities so essential to her development and prosperity, while to Middle and Northern Georgia it will furnish an additional outlet to , he Atlantic, which will bo the means of build- i Ing up on our coast another flourishing city, I having an excellent harbor and admirably cal- ! ■dated in every way to become one of the commercial emporiums of the Union. Former prejudices against government aid to 1 j such works have been dissipated before the ; ( light of reason and the spirit of improvement; ( md now the opinion very generally prevails ■ ( •hat it is tin' duty as well as the policy of tin state, under proper conditions and securities, ( ,o assist in the construction of such main lines : of Railway as are demanded for the eonven- ' \nce of her citizens, the development of her resources, and the exigencies of trade mid trav- I. This is the enlightened view taken by Gov. 1 Brown in his Inaugural Address, where, in re ferring to the Western and Atlantic Railroad, I ( iejustly observes: “The benefits to Georgia , •rom the construction of this mad have Iwcn Immense, and are continually increasing; while 1 ;o the Cherokee section they are almost be- ’ yond calculation. By the enterprise of citi , zeiis. and the assistance of the road, Cherokee 1 has, in a few years, been converted from a wild, uncultivated region, into one of the most interestingand prosperous sections of our State, i The result does honor to the far-seeing states- , uuinship of those who planned this noble work. The example is worthy of imitation, ami in I my judgment the Legislature, taking care that ; iho State is amply secured beyond the possi- ’ »ility of a doubt, *hould not he»itatc to eectend \ 'hat aid irhieh in necemmry for the development \ father tertian*." Gov. Johnson, also, recom mends a w ise system of State aid in his Fare well Message, in which he says: “Augusta, •savannah and Brunswick are the three points ; of commerce, at which the productions of our I agriculture, must find their market and their door of exit to the marts of the world. The perfection of our internal improvement system, as w ell as the interests of agriculture, requires . that EACH OF THESE COMMERCIAL POINTS SHALL UK CONNECTED, AS DIRECTLY AS rosslHl.K, WITH EACH SECTION OF THE STATE, SO that all OUT people inay enjoy a choice of markets for the -ale of produce; and the State may aid in the eonttruction of line* of road projected in refer ence to each connection*, upon guaranties or se curity, that prevent the possibility of ultimate loss." Sustained by arguments like these, emana ting as they do from Statesmen of the soundest . judgment, is it possible that the Legislature can refuse to lend a helping hand to a road of such immediate necessity and paramount importance as the one promised from Macon to Brunswick I Oar city maybe regarded as the heart of our Railway system; what she wants—what Geor gia needs—is another artery leading to the sea coast. Many reasons may Is* urged in liehalf ot this enterprise, but they are too palpable to require further comment. A bill hn« '.ten in troduced. by which the State—with tlie sim ple loan of her credit, without the expenditure of a dollar, and w ith ample security against ; loss—can do for the Southern portion of her territory what she has already done at great cxjiense for the Cherokee region. Justice, gen erosity and expediency alike forbid that the Legislature should turn a deaf ear to this pe tition ; and we have every confidence that the members from all sections, recognising the road a« a grig* State work, will unhesitatingly do their duty by passing the bill. By so doing they will advance the best interests of the ■commonwealth, and win from their constituents the meed of “Well done, ye good and faithful servants." Wife yV«H-HxG.—On last Friday, Mr. llar deman, ofthia county, introduced a bill into the House, making it a penal offence for a man to whip or beat his wife. The punishment he proposes is six mbntfis I imprisonment in the county jail, or one year in t'ie Penitentiary for aggravated offences. MONTES PARTURIUNT The Bank Committee have reported. The I Mountain lias been in labor, and the Moise is now on exhibition at Milledgeville. It is a pretty little Mot .-E—a real Jove of a little Mot se —a little Mouse, so soft and glossy, that it is not difficult to suppose tbatit may have been born and bred in the cellar of a Bank Direc tor —on the whole, one of the very smoothest and sleekest of the large and respectable Mu E I connection. It seems almost a pity to hurt this little Moise, It is, seemingly, so meek, and gentle, ■ and unassuming. It seems to look up beseeeh '! ingly. and to say in the thinnest of trebles. •■» hat ' harm can there be in a poor little Mouse like | me." Nevertheless, wedislike Mice. In point • 1 of fact, we hate Mice. Ami we are down on J this particular Mouse like a thousand of' brick. One of these little nibbiers can.sonn timesgnaw ■ 1 ft hole through the bottom ot a staunch craft. He are opposed to this Moise, ami «■■ declare i war against it. It had no business to be a Moi st. AVe ex acted the Mountain, the great, the tow ering, the teeming Mountain, to bring forth an oft' spring of a different ami a nobler species.— Perhaps, a second Bei.-i I i es who would < leanse the Augean stables of finance. Perlmp-, a ' Dragon, who would guard that golden fruit, 'the (’urrene.v. A {Lion a Mastiii—even a Ferret, which might haw run the Bank Hat' in and out of their holes—almost anything rather than this little Mou-e. We feel towards it, therefore, like those exceedingly Judicious pa rents who dislike a child because it Juqqiens to I be born a girl when they wanted it to be a boy. or r/c< rrrwr. We should like, if «e had ■ time, to worry it. and torment it, and perse i cute it. It would afford us great pleasure to bore holes through its cars, to cut off its tail, I to scald it with hot water, ami to punch it with a sharp stick—after the manner of the bad boy ] in the story book, who was alway s pulling off j the wings of flics and sticking pins through all ! sorts of bugs, as we all remember to have read 1 in the days when we wore petticoat , ami cried I for bread and butter. We would like to make ‘ i an example of this Mou-e—to use it •• To point a moral or adorn a tale." I for the benefit of the Mice family at large. Unfortunately, we have no time to spend in | this delightful employment. We can only i wish this little Mouse all sorts of bad luck.— We hope the Cat may catch it. and that the ' Terriers may shake it. and that some of the I stoutest of the members of the Legislature mav . tread upon it. And if it esnqx's all these, we i hope that Gov. Brown may catch this little ; Mouse in a little trap, and sina-h its little head, ; and preserve its little skin for the inspection I of the people. I Baddinage aside, this Report is weak—very ! weak—weak ns dish-water—weak as the argu ment of the Know-Nothings—weak as tin- re liance which people can place in the promises ot the Banks to pay their notes on demand.— 1 ' To use the figure of Kit North, to compare it ' to a Isitfle of small beer, would be greatly to belie that highly respectable Leverage. It is nothing more nor less than an 1 the Banks —anil considered in that light, is well enough written. But as for anything like a broad, comprehensive, statemanlike view—as for any thing like a plan by which the Curren cy will be protected against Banks Expansions and Contractions— the Report is absolutely worthless. We have no idea that it can re reive Executive sanction in its present form. MII.I.EIH.CA II.I.i: KIINOLI TIO.NN. KANSAS AND THE ADMINISTRATION. We publish, to-day, the proceedings of a De mocratic Meeting lately held at the State House. Gov. Johnson was the Pre-iding <lf fleer of the occasion. Judge TVau.ni;;:, and Col. CiiAfi'EL, acted as Vice Presidents. Mi:. Toombs, Mil Btki'liexs. Mr. Seward. and Mi:. Wright—all members of Congress were unit ed w ith other gentlemen of w ell know n intel ligence, on the Committee of Business. Mr. Stei’Hl'ns reported the Resolutions, and the Meeting by w hich they were adopted was com posed, for the most part, of members of the Legislature, and other leading men of the Democratic Party, who are congregated in Milledgeville at this particular juncture of af fair*. The Meeting, therefore, was eminently respectable. The “Federal Union" calls it a ' Convention—ami the “Savannah Georgian" ' thinks that it will carry the weight if hue to ! nil good Democrats. With a little qualification, both of our co i temporaries are right. According to the litc | ral signification of the word, there is no doubt i that this meeting was a "Convention’' ami it ■ we may be allowed to define the term ami to I limit its application, we agree with the "Geor gian" that all Democrat*' will assent to ' the propositions contained in these Resoi.u --i thins. Nevertheless, we are slightly at issue I with both Journals. We contend that this Meeting cannot be considered a “Convention," J in the ordinary acceptation of that term —ami , w e are of the opinion that there are some w ho i are called "good Democrats," to w hom these Resolutions will not only tail to carry the ! "weight of law," but on whom they w ill fail jto exert any perceptible influence at all. Un less we are mistaken, the President of the I United States w ill be found to be one of them. We say that this Meeting cannot be consid ered a “Convention," because it could claim to represent only those who were present —I e eati'c it was clothed with no powers dob gated j from the people—because it assembled of its 1 own volition—and because it could assume to speak only for itself. A “Convention," on the j contrary, is the creature and the mouth-piece .I of the People, and speaks forthem by author i !,, J- We had such a Convention in Georgia, seve ■nd months ago. It assembled by command of ' the People, and it was composed of Delegates I from the Democratic Party of every County in the State. It declared that Robekt J. W.vi.K rk. the Governor of Kansas, had transcended his authority, disgraced his station, and be- • 1 truyed the South—and it urged Ids recall from aposition where lie had already practiced ma ny villainies, and was likely to practice many . more. We have now a Meeting in Milledge ville, which in effect, has made the same dec- • j laration and the same demand, but no matter how distinguished it may have been in point i I of patriotism or intelligence, there is no doubt I 1 that of the two Assemblies, the Convention i was of the greater dignity. Ma. Bhiiaxav treated the Convention with utter indifference, • if not with absolute contempt —and we are ’ therefore of the opinion that the Meeting will I j not fare much better. Whew we com« to apeak of the Rr.soi.moNs. 1 ' nxecMifew* that we are somewhat at a loss how 1 I to express ourselves. It is certain that we cannot disapprove them <n she contrary, l there is not one of them which does not meet w ith our coiicurrencB —yet we are constrained to admit that we have read them without any of that pride and satisfaction which we promis ed ourselves, when w heard that a Democrat ic Meeting at Milledgeville, largely made up of leading and dl'tingtii'lied men, had taken ladd, manly, and decided ground, on the -object of the Walkeii-Bichanan Imbroglio. Our dis appointment arises not so much from anything which is «aid in the Resolutions, asfimln a feel ing that much i- left unsaiii which might very properly have found a place in the Report.— We ar.-kept eoiistimtly on the tiptoe ot expec tation fi>r some bold and energetic expression of the prevailing sentiment, ami we are ju-t ns constantly doomed to disappointment. Me find cold just where we expc< toil warmth — caution w here we looked fordeeision —and the whole report impresses the reader as the guard ed manifesto of politicians who are not yet satisfied t<> w hat lengths the people are w illing to go. rather than the [minted denunciation and . indignant protest ot' men w ho feel themselves to have been outraged ami deceived. It seem-to us the Fourth Resolution i-not ttp to the mark. Sim e the period ot the Dem ocratic Convention in this State. M ai.kei: has been guilty of frauds and usurpations which make his prior conduct highly respectable in the comparison. Yet the Meeting, coming on five months after the Convention, and having information of other ami grosser enormities perpetrated by the Governor of K ansas, so far from placing additional emphasis on thede mand of the Convention. Ims in [mint of fact qualified it- language, ami. to a certain extent, emasculate I its ■•fleet. The phrase— irith the liyht* before w«—is as unseasonable a-snow in the middle of slimmer, ami gives to the whole Report an aspect which is chill and frigid in the extreme. The Meeting declares that M ai k ei: has in three several instances, been guilty of a plain, palpable, danycroue riolation of the principles of the Kansas Bill. It declares, bir ther, that he has been guilty of illegal inter ference at the late Elections. Yet with these repeated violations of duty on the part of Walker staring them in the face and extort ing their censure, the Meeting seems to liaxe been Still in doubt as to the ■ ottrse it ought to pursue, and could only say that in their judg ment, "irith the light) before them," this con duct ofthe Kansas Governor, reepiires his re call. In the name of Heaven, what other “lights" are they for which the gentlemen are waiting? Do they mean to say that this "<7- legal inters renre" m"y be justified—that this "plain, palpable, dangcroue tiolation of duty may be excused—or that other "lights” may be brought; which shall convince “our judg ment" that a man guilty ot all this may prop erly be retained in office ? Do they mean that they nrc not yet satisfied that WAi.Ki nougbt to be recalled ’? < >r that they must wait till lie co erces the Constitutional Convention at the [mint of the bayonet, before they can come to n certain and definite conclusion ? In our opin ion, it must mean this, or it means nothing at all—and in either case, it seems to us not be fitting the oe< iL-ion. Here we have a man who has been again-t us troin the first—a man who has w ritten against us—a man who has spoken upfmst us—a man who has nullified law when it protected us—a man who has decided elec tions against us by mere Proclamation -a man who has struck out of existence hundreds and hundreds of votes with a single dash of his |, v[l —a man w ho has delivered the Kansas Leg islature into the hands ot the Free Soilers a man who Ims been enabled thus to trample on the law. by his retention in office in the face of ,»ir Protest, solemnly uttered five monthsngo. tine would suppose that here was a blaze of "light." to which even the blind could hardly be insensible. Yet with all this know ledge be fore them, the Milledgeville Meeting still he-i --tuted—»till distrusted its capacity to form a con clusion —and could do nothing more than en dorse the general Administration of Mi:. But H ANAN. while it called for “more candles" on the particular subject of Kansas 1 One would think that they might at least have ventured the O[.inioti, that Mm Buchanan is responsible for TVidker's "tnte illegal interference in the Election*," for evidently that interference could not have taken [.lace, had the President con descended to listen to tlx- remonstrances ofthe Georgia and Mississippi Democracy. Mm Stephens declared in his letter that the I resi dent must be hel<l responsible tor the conse quence* of Walker's retention in oftiec—why is it that he does not make the same declara tion in these Re-olutions ? It is our opinion tin t Mm Buchanan does not intend to recall M ai.kei:, nor is it a mattei of much consequence w hether he docs or not. While we have been trailing to hear from the President, and calling for more light*, \\ alk ei: has been finishing his job, and. so tar as Kansas is eoncerned, he has left us very little to quarrel about. Except as a species ot pun ishment, however tardy and unsatisfactory, to Waikf.i: himself, we care nothing about his recall. As a measure of protection to th" Siiuth, it might have been effectual five months ago, but it would now be worth to us just nothing at all. Moreover, it Is by no means certain, that his neall by the I’ixsii i:.nt, or his r<jictioii l.y the Senate, will not be alto gether pleasing to Walkei: himself. In either ease, he would be eiirolkal among the Black Republican Saints and Martyrs, and it is not improbable that this isju-t what he de-ires. In short the Recall of Walkei: is, in our opin ion no longer a living issue. Had that meas ure been demanded and extorted before the consummation of the' treachery it would have saved the country a disgraceful spectacle, but except as a matter of testifying our resent ment. it is no longer worth w riting about. — We are also of the opinion, that so far as Kan sas is concerned, the appeal to the Northern Democracy is made rather late in the day.— The horse has been stolen, and though we may insist that our friends must watch the stable door, we hardly hope to recover the property in that way. In fact, there U but one of these Resolu tions out of which any practical issue is likely to arise, and that is the Fifth. According to (he published Instructions to W Al kei:. it would seem that Mm Buchanan contemplated the submission of the Kansas Constitution to a popular vote. Walker has declared that it must be submitted to a certain class of voters, and that ill the event it shall not be so submitted, lie (TVai.keil) the President, and the Congress of the United Mutes, will be found in opposi tion to the admission ot Kansas into the I nion under that Instrument. This declaration was made several months ago, and Mm Buchanan ha' not denied that TValkerw us authorized to speak for him. It i« tln ret'oro certain, either 1 that Walker told the truth, or that Mu. Buch- anan retains in office a man who has publicly belied him. The question is farther compli cated by the result Os the late Kansas Elec tions, which hnvinggone for the Free Soilers— thanks to Gov. Walker—frtriii-h Northern men with the argument that a I’ro-sl.avery Constitution will not represent the w ill of the [icople. Should Kansas then a)>l'ly for admis sion into the I’nioti, with a I'ro slavery Con stitution which has not been ratified by the people, there is no doubt that some of the Northern Democrats will vote to reject her. and if Walkeh is to be believed, the President will be on the same side of the question.— M hat is more ominous 'till, is the fact that tills Party w ill not be confined to the North. ' It is already shewing itself at the South, and zealous in the cause is the "Richmond Enqui- i rer," the organ and mouth-piece ot Governor Wise. Should the question be made, we may therefore expect to see the wheat well win nowed of the chaff. The least that we can ex pect is a caving in of party organizations which w ill he more or less general and permanent, audit is not improbable that the ultimatum of the Georgia Platform will be upon us. Foronr own part, we want no more "tight*" on that subject, nnd w e are ready tor the is sue. We rejoice that the Slatcemcn of Geor gia have defined their position. The Fifth Resolution is w ell-timed, and deserves the ear nest consideration of the Northern Democra cy. In a few weeks, the Union-savers will commence to assail it. and the demagogues will deafen us with a stupid clamor about pop- i nlar sovereignty. We are proud to believe, however, that the people of Georgia will take • their 't.-md upon it, and defend it to the last ex tremity. It has been no part of our purpose, in these remarks, to impute any unworthy motives to the distinguished gentlemen who participated in this Meeting. Many of them are known to ' us personally, and all of them have our confi dence and respect. We believe that the cau tious tone of these Resoli tions is due to no hick ot innate independence on the |>art of these 1 gentlemen. We attribute it solely to their de sire to keep even pace with the public senti ment. and their natural reluctance to advance to a point w herethe people might not be willing ' to follow. Yet we cannot refrain from the opinion that it is the part <.f Statesmen to lead the public opinion—to guide the current, and not to follow it. M hatever may be true as a general rule, we .•.re firmly convinced that, on this.particular subject, the politicianslag far in the rear ofthe people.—[Communicated.| For the State Press. MONETARY. Gentlemen:—On no subject is the public mind more seriously exercised, and none in which it is more deeply interested than the mo netary and banking conditions of the country. Although the question is frequently asked — what shall be done ? w hut course to pursue to wards the sus|KHided Jbanks ? still we have had no «[ipro|>riate solution of the difficulty, and to all proposed [dims, some feasible objec tions are otiered. 1 think one may very natu rally feel great diffidence in proposing remedies for these difficulties. But probably it is only by suggestions from different sources and a free discu-.ion of their merit', that, from the mas' of suggested motives, some system may be framed which will meet the demands of the peo ple. I think every <»ne will admit. a> a ftindamm tnl proposition, no safe and sudieivnt <y -tvm can be founded which is not based upon a spe cie basis. :md the broader the b:r is the great er may lie the superstructure. If then the commercial nrecsMties of Georgia demand a circulating medium of eight millions (assumed for argument, being the l ank report*),‘t is exi dent that whatever part of thi* amount be furnish* d necessarily iu specie, must <*an*e the retireim i.t of just an equal amount of bill*. An impression nou obtain*, which if wrong is too deep for immediate eradication, that an ' absolute specie circulation will not meet the commercial demands <»four country, the entire amount of specie in the I nited States being less than three hundred million*, which is m t one half of the commercial demand at present. The feeling in Georgia and I think in other i Southern States at this time. i*not to pros the ' furf< ‘hire of Charters upon suspended banks, j True, it is not supposed for a moment, any bank was impelled by philanthropic views, or a general the amelioration of our sjKcies. or indeed, any thing more prais worthy than self-preservation—still it would not be sound and judgematical, to exercise mm \due stringency towards the banks—lest—by siphus like— the stone should rll and crush nurse he.*. Suppose then the Legislature of Georgia should utter a prohibition again*t the circula tion of any bill less than ten </(///</;>—the place that was occupied by pper money of lower de nomination than tert, would of course be sub stituted by specie, and consequently to this amount would increase the amount of specie in circulation. Suppose the amount of money in small bills, now iu circulation, under Ji re dollars be one million. (I am imformed by a banker this is about true) it follows that by displacing thi* ' amount of paper, we replace it with specie. If then the exclusion of bill* under five should produce a million, there can be no reasonable doubt, if this exclusion be extended to bills un der ten, would produce another million to be substituted by specie. This would then of ne cessity keep two millions of specie in constant circulation in Georgia. If in addition to this amount of specie, the State should require its taxes to be paid in specie (net *pecio funds) it would add nearly live hundred thousand to the above two millions. (I only assume the amount.) This tax should be collected ami paid out in specie, and not deposited in banks to be after wards represented by paper. We seem now to have an absolute fart of two ami a half million* in constant circulation, uncontrolcd by and independent of the bank*. This amount of specie is nearly double that in the vaults of all the banks of the State. I think they report about one and a half million, ami 1 the present crisis demonstrates that rhe banks cannot sr.fely keep lesson hand for the re demption of bills. If then to the two ami a half millions, we add one and a half in the banks we shall have a constant quantity of four million* inevitable i the State. The cir culation of paper currcm\ in this State (from the bank account*) is about eight million*, which amount we may therefore presume to represent the commercial necessities of the State, ami in cir<ulatim the same money, paying hundreds of diri. r itdcbts. Now if by the enactment <f the a’ <»ve mentioned law half of this amount would of necessity be in i specie, we may readily < mceive our moneta ry system in this State v ould be in a *afc and sound condition. Whilst the circulation in Georgia is <*on>tituted of >o large a proportion of s|M-<-ie. it is evident, Evcbange would never be much against her—and if the protits accru . ing to Bank* from exchange should be greatly rediH ed. it would probably force them to bring their fund*, now <liveiie*l from the originally intended channels, and put in home circula tion. Probably it would be best for the Banksand I people to establish a gradual resumption of s|w . vi«’ pay menu. First —Izft them rv<!< cm all bills de nomination of dee. the first day of April : these ! bills hot to be lawful circulation after the first ' day of June—on the tiist day of July, all bills I of the denomination often—and after August ' >uch bills to be no longer legal tender—and on ; the first day of October to resume entirely*.— It is much to be regretted that tlii* method is only an ostensible resumption of specie—for every merchant keep* his accounts with some bank and depositor his daih *ales. which are nearly all paid in small bills, and the bank* will be careful never again to put (hem in cir culation. but pay the depositor in larger bills, and it will he only those who feel the increas ed value of the small bills will bold on to de- ! maud specie—these I think will he tew. Mer chants who hope to be henufitted by a contin ued suspension, are fated, to a fearful disap pointment the policy of the banks is to expand—and they will not expand until their condition is much healthier—umi I venture the assertion that on the first day of April no mer chant can say of his bills above fifty dollars, that mu in twenty have been paid. He will find suspension and limited circulation synony mous terms. For that reason uty own mind approves of early ami gradual resumption. These idea* are altogether undigested, and merely vague generalities presented with the hope of eliciting reflection and dnerussion. which may result in something to ameliorate our present condition, and protect us from similar calumitics hereafter. GEORGIA. For the State Pl ess. THE DEMOCRATIC MEETING AT THE CAPITOL Messrs. Editors: —You arc aware tlftit on the 10th instant, by previous announcement, a very large assemblage of the Democracy of Georgia. consi>ting ofthe mcinl ers and otii ccrs of the Legislature, and citizen* from all sections of the State, convened in the Repre sentative Hall of the Capitol, for the purpose of hearing an address from the Hon. A. IL Stephens. AVe were, ( with many other*) of the opinion, that the meeting was called alone for the pur pose of hearing Mr. Stephen*, but by reference to the official proceedings, you can judge of our utter astonishment, when we discovered it to be a regular bonaJidt convention ofthe party, called not for discussion alone, but for more grave and important deliberation. The meeting you will observe was organized by the appointment of a President, \ ice Pres ident, Secretaries and a Committee of three from each Congressional District to report ! matter for the action ofthe convention. ’I he committee retired and reported the resolutions which you already have. This convention and these resolutions, were as unexpected, a* they were inopportune, ami although upon their passage they were declar ed by the chairman, unanimous, yet in all that : dense assemblage, we heard but the taint sound iof “aye” emimitingas it were from'the feeble voices of a hopelc** minority. But admit, tor the sake of argument, that they received the 1 unanimous sanctn u ot the meeting. >tiil the\ ' are hut “straw" and the only aim that merits consideration :.t this time, i* the latter clause ofthe second resolve, (affixed by Mr. Stcpl.un*) which is inthe*e words “and his (Mr. Jhich.in au's) general administration thus tar. mct*our like approval;" had the voire ot the meeting bcuii sounded on this alone. 1 have no idea it would have received hall a dozva v< to. Now what is the use of thi* resolve, an 1 all thi* po litical “blarney ?" Wby crowd the pa.t . with along list of additional responsibility and v. pertluous rcsolv 1 *? for my part. * » 'a* m' head i* clear and my heart beat* warm tor m> country’s rights, my vote will n .er be «•.•:*♦ t > *iistain the a<t* of any administration untilthat admini*tr:Uion !i;i“ been brought to a *'/■•'•'. alii *mlisftit' terunnat ot . Im* vnd<; ■><•- ment of Mr. Bneham. > amov.m* to«nothing less than an endorsement <»t the ai‘p" it iii > m s and retention ot that notorious icnegade R l ’ ertJ. Walker, whose traitorous acts ami p.dit.- cal corruption in the Territory ot Kansu* have rendered him infamous, disgusting and con temptible in the eyes of all true Southern men. ami for Mr. Buch, nan to sustain him, will in sure his own doom to traitoris.m and sink him far below the depths of infamy and degradation 1 to which Walker has already gone. Again we ask. w hat necessity has brought these resolution* to’the Democratic party? do we not stand upon the third iu solution ot th< Georgia Convention? do wo not sustain the Cimdnnati Platform ? nnd do wo not defend the Kansas and Nebraska a< t* f ail tin • w e approve and endorse, ami it is the imperative dutv of the Legislature to endorse them and to say to Mr. Buchanan, that I.:* agent in Kan sas whose political rotteime*s is r,n*urpa*-ed in this or any age. has violated these principlt ■ by a reckless disregard to justice, Tmd f« r these acts we will hold the administration re sponsible, even to the bitter eml. Yours. Arc., TEMPLE. THE BANKS THE LEGISLATURE AND THE CURRENCY. One would suppose in llieir present condition, the Banks* would show >< n.e hmnih’v and sue f»r indul gence; but not so. With pi«md clots and haughty mien, they stalk int«» ourhtdlsof Legislation and g. a ' eiously dictate to the Kepn-rntatives ot the people the timcand conditioi'* upon v.hi«‘h they wit! again begin to pay their debts. There is an impudence that rise* to the sublime such is the impudence ot the Bank. Mr. Gordon <>t Chatham, coming from the city of broken promises, 1 allied by blood or marriage to two Bank I‘roidcnts, makes a report and submits a bill to the llou*e ot Representatives, condescendingly that the Georgia Banks will pay the people what they owe them on Ist November, 1* -*. How eonde-vending and how kind ' The people must pay, and the courts stand open to make them pay or bring their property to the block -but these lordly Banks—oh, pshaw they arc abuxe ti e Law they will pay when they get readv, and a* to them, the cov.its must be ch rd for a year. The Banks in Mu. Gordon’s Report <!efi:mth argue that there is no Law on the Statute Book to reach them for suspending. Simple minded nu n regard the act of IM(‘ as such a Law, intended to be at one. preventive and punitive. But the Banks ,*i.y (‘t'tf Law was intended to apply to them when they su* I pended in ISJ7, and not new in I*'7. Now if this is so, the Banks are irresponsible corporation* and it is high time the Legislature was devising some pro tection for the people. There is a deeply >ignificant provision in Mr. Gor -1 don’s Bill legalizing the Bank suspension. It is. the one requiring tl.e Banks t » secure the State ' for their Bills, taken m payment <t taxes. A wi*e provision truly. But why should Hank* claiming to be sound and solve, t tend* r such security? ami why should the Legislature thus viituallv <!i-’ru*t ami discredit the Bunks and yrt by law au’l.- rize them to flood the country ui'.li their Irredeemable ciicuk;- tion? These arc gt * e questions, and devolve no or dinary responsibili.) on the Legislature. But am ill cr pertinent que*tiou arises if the Legislature find it neccs&ary >o to protect the State Tt< a.*ury in taking ' ■ some half million <4 Bunk not* -. ;> there not si.mc necessity to protect the people of Georgia in taking eight ur ten million* of these lying promises to pay i*un-l_» our will not legist ’ I for the Banks. I pray them to remember the people —to keep in unud the hardy sous of toil, whose o\er wrought mu>de.* am.i sWv.Hy brows, and wive* and , little ones with hands ouUtretche* 1 for bread, present claims f<>r legi«!fttire protectm in The song «'f the Banks is, without us and our rugs Imjw is the produce of the country to be sold. This is sung by their Directors, Agents, Satellitvs and subsi dized Press,'.*, until it has really acted like a lullaby to the people. Th,' good, honest planters take it us (ruth, that without Bank paper, their lands and ne groes are valuclcss, and there will be no sale for their cotton crops. Wo nrc told the members of the Leg islature are made to believe the same thing. And under lliis gross delusion and falsehood we shall not b(*surpii*ed if the Legislature concert*' to* the Ranks all they ask. So far from being true, the great truth is that one-third of the intrinsic value of cotton is L st to the planters by the present system of Bank ing. Cottos is equivalent to gold nnd silver in Macon or in Liverpcol. The planter should therefore receive for it in the heme n «rket a full standard value. But instead of that he i« paid for it in a depreciated cur rency, which is nothing but credits. The consequence is. that the high rate of Bank discounts comes out of Cotton. But thi* is not nil under the present sy> tern Cotton is loaded down by charges and commis sions, all of which come off of the price. A Hous ton county planter brings his Cotton to Macon ami sells it to a buyer in the streets, who sells it to a Ma con merchant the Macon merchant draws against it and ships it to n Commission man in Savannah, who draw* upon and ships it to a New York Commission Merchant, and there it is either sold or again drawn upon and shipped to a Commission House* in Liver pool. At every turn and change the charges and commissions multiply ami increase. Toll must be paid at every mill the street buyer, the warehouse men, the Macon merchant, the Savannah commit'm man ami bis Cutton Broker, nnd the New York ami Liverpcol CommisMon men ami their Cotton Brokers must all be paid. And all these charges and commis sions are wrung out of the Planters, because their Cotton must pay them. But the question is asked, if Bank Credits are dis pense,! with, how is the Cotton Crop to be purcha*cd and paid for? I answer, in gold and silver. “Cot ton is King” ami commands Kings ami Kingdoms. The coin of the world, w ill come at its bidding, if Bank credits are abrogated—-Cotton must go to feed tb.e nations and clothe the world. It must go to keep Commerce alive it must go to girdle the globe with exchanges—it must go, or revolution ami wild uproar wiil upheave society, and dynasties ami systems. Then Planters turn a deaf car to the Syren Song of the Bank*. The world must have your Cuttons ami mu*t pay for them, if you demand it, by empty ing their <’* tiers < f the picci«»u* metal*. Texas and Arkansas ha* eno Bank* tml there Planters have a Paradise, if time permitted, v. might goun further to illustrate h<»w Bank expansions and contractions, panics ami suspensions, fall at last with blight, and dopte*si'»n upon the produce of the country. One simple id* a, h> never, will suffice. Exchange on Now York is n >'■■. thru* per cent, premium in Macon. Who hoses it? D <* the Merchant? N> no ini'ce,! the Merchant a,lds it to the price of bis goods, ami the consumer pay .* it. The grand am! noble object to be attained at last, is the Commercial independence of the South. If we can establish the home market, as the regulator ofthe price of Cotton- if we can compel Emo; >• to com,* to i.ur Ports and pay our prices in gold and sil ver for our <'ottons, then n il! we be gr-at. glorii.us and free. The *hipa sent for our Cottons will bring over importation •. and so cur cities will be I uilt up, in*tea<l *»fbeing tributary to New York. Ship, will come laden with gold, just as they go to China for Teas and t<» the Sqdce Islands for Spices. M re. the world will woo ii* for our friendship ami like a h*v« • to his mistress, will court a proud alliance with Sunny South. And now in view of all this, what ought the I lature t>do - I answer, nothing harsh—n ra>b. If the Bankshave done wrong, let n<. I/egi>l,'. t iir<‘ ,!■• a wrong to the Stockholder* l»v any hasty, or pi.*M< nat,' action. Look at the question, g,'nt|emr;i of the L<‘gi*latur,‘. like statesmen. Ke quire the P.mk* t*> resume nt the earliest practir.il dab , cm! change ihr ('■ n*titnti* n, so that no more Banks of i**ur >l.all be chartered ami m> Bank Char ter shall he renew* d. And th* n the Bank* can wind up graceful!* , ami a new era be graduallv iiiaugiira t- I. ’ ‘ CALHOUN. I’>>r t'w State i ’•*•**. DANK STATUTES. Tite full •wing three propositions Idd down in a hit • iiumLer < f th * Savannah Georgian, in ’eply to Gov. Brown’s Inaugural, uitli apparent deliberation, an ! d"*it nr,l, *h rl.th **. to iiJhience public opinioi* on the all important subject of Bank suMpension ought r »t !■• pas* current in Georgia without com nn iit. Here they arc : b : Th:*’ there is but one genera! stah/*'which touch* * non-syecic-pay ing Banks. ! *l. 'i h i. ’.l.err is no statute up' n the Statute B ok v'.’u' •; *•* tb.e Governor the t ight t*> nut th,- P.. i'.k* .t! hand* ot a Rdueher. •_‘ l. Tit it mi’e** there i* a «•»» i ’!'dans:* i;> char ter if :* Bank, providing for iiu- tmi'eituiv <4 its cluirter * n the non-payment of specie, ths re b *> •• < z »- d •:*/ A.' i f ?!.»• State, Ly uhic’.i ;»ui!i fuif* i’nirv.iu be consumniated. 1 shall deny two *f th*«e pr*’po-.ifi«m\ «;•<’, -:>;>c<t they are luis-mnd in law. The editor us the Gcorgi -1 an is a lawyer of di iinction, nnd douhue-** ronsulte I ‘ am! compared opinions with sw.nie, if m", all, * f th.isc eminent legal gentlemen to 1• f und iu the city of Savannah—at least, ! presume so, fr .m ti.<■ fact that tlie propositions arc enunciated a* though they Imd received general assent; therefore, it i* nc cessary tobewel! advised in the statutes and tlie i-e --cord. The first pr,*| option it is unnecess: iy to deny, f,if there is one general law on the Mibjc' t. and tb. st teaches the whole mischief aflmds an entire r*-- medy, it is sufficient. But by turning r*; the statute Book, it will be fecn that acts were passed in b l* 1 , I and I*-!-’, “all touching non | erie-paying Bank*.” As t > the second prop '<itinn, to prove its rv •rmd »•,•>>. I qm:*.c from the statute* of Pt I* De*'.. ’*:»>, Cobb’s Digest, page 115 speaking of the pre’. , u.nary *.*•}> t * forfeit the charter of a Bank the statute says, “then, hi* Excellency, the Governor, on due proof thereof, is hereby authorized and required to can-,' judicial proce,slings to be in>li:utcd futhwith, against such defaulting Bank, in the Superior <'.>i:rts of the county, where the same is located, to tlx* eml that the charter <f such Bank may bo *h* 3 .tr«*d as fmfeited ami annulled, am! the assets of the sumo be immediately placed in the I.amis of a receiver, under ade*piate security, for the benefit of the ci editors thereof.” Again, in the art of Bth Dec.. 1-12. this language is used : “It shall I e the duty < f !},*■ Gov , ernor, on being notified there f, by th** Judge before whom ruch case suit lor forfritnre* was detetmimsl, tn appoint three competent persons, as receivers f th** same, who shall not be indebted l** said Bank, ai.*! who shall give bond ami approve*! security, to the satisfaction of the Governor, in a sum equal to double the amount of stock subscribed for ami paid into said Bank, conditioned for the faithful prrform , ancc of the trust reposed in them whose duty it shall be to take charge of. and collect, as early as practicable, the debts and demands din*, am! owing to said Bank, ami to pay oil’ and discharge the liabil : ie-- f said Bank.” This act is f* uml in (’ubb’s Di , g*-st, png*' 1 I s , and ju>t above the clause I have quo te*!, it is declared “that the power shall I :• < xerci*c*l by the receiver or receivers, i’bjrct to no control w batcA ur by tlie aid corpora!i.>a or • otlicer*.” According to my understanding nf the I r.v, her*- arc two acts pa*sed in separate your*, b •• am! I- Ij, authorizing the app,>ihtmetit of a receiver, :;.»•! the act of 1 *42 expressly said lie G. vetnor shall make the appointment. These acts, as well a> ;L.•.m.enda tojy act* of I*4l, I*l2 and I*4;’, have all come up be fore th*' Supreme Court «.f this State, on the qiie of their constitutionality, ar.d that tribunal ,L. ..ltd these act* constitutional. See the case of 11;.h' ccy, 5 Geo. lieport.*, page 2”'.\ In this • question was as to appointment us receiver, . .it wa* deride I b\ the Court that “the statute so >ays the Lead mdc being ti-tnclial in it* character, is not t unconstituti mal.” The Georgian, however, i.iay in tern! i > be umi' istoinl a* holding, that a receiver can not I e appointed, until judgment or forfeiture is de clared by the Couit. If so, he is certainly correct. Ti . i is plain from the se* crul *tatutes theinselve*. But I would remark here, if any improper conduct could be shown < a the part • I th,' Bank, j ending pn,; ee*lin_* f<*r a forfeiture, their asset* might then be placed in the hands of a receiver or lami d. ami * •- curitv exacted by an application to a court « f chan cerv, making out a fresher *•;;>;■ for the interposition of that tribunal, ami this course has been pursued against a bank within the personal knowledge the writer, in the su*j»ensi“n of 1*37: and a* to the (hit I proposition : “That unless there is a special rlanse in the char ter of a Bank, providing for the forfeiture of it* char ter on the non-payment of apccie, thcrs is no gene ral law of the State, by which sm;h forfeiture ran I c consummated.” If it is intended here to assert as a matter < f fact, that there is no statute of the State, which by if* term* rcichc' : all Bank* al’ke. I thi: k I can easily show that there are such statutes,broad and comprehensive, reaching all the banks us the State. The act of IMO, before quoted, declares that the Governor shall issue his proclamation “requiring the several Banks of this State, their branches or agen cies, which have heretofore failed to redeem their lia bilities in gobi and silver, and all other L»ank» in this *hali here follows the requirement to renew paying specie, and then the act proceeds) upon de mand or presentation, and in case any of said Banks, their branches or agencies, shall then or thereafter fail, or refuse to comply with and perform the re quirement aforesaid promptly, then his Excellency the Governor, on due proof thereof, is hereby au thorize*!, and ?, //•«/, to cause judicial proceedings to be instituted forthwith against such defaulting Bank, iu the Superior Court of tin*county, whete the same is located, to the end (fiat the charter of such Bank may be declared as forfeited nnd annulled, and the assets of th,' same be immediately placed in the hands of a receiver, under adequate security, fur the benefit of the creditors thereof.” It strikes me that there can be but one construction of this statute. Bv turning to the files of the Georgian of that day, it will be seen that the Prodamation was issued ; it has m t been recalled, consequently is now binding on tb.e Blinks; for the act expressly deelaies that if they “then, (that is, al the fl me appointed for re sumption > or fh.rtaftir, fail or refuse to comply with ami perform the requirement aforesaid.” And what was this requirement spoken of here? To redeem in gold and silver their liabilities was the requisition the only. but positive, inq erative requisition. And this all the Banks of the State weie compelled, bv the act. to do, am! none were exempted from its ope ration, regardless of any clauses in their several charters, or the absence of any. But it may be said, ur the opinion held, that nn- I less such clause is contained in a Bank cb.arter, that , this act of the Legislature of 1840, and the others amendatory thereof, ate violative of tlie contract bc tv. ecu the Bunk and the State, as evidenced aiunc by I its chr.! ter, and therefore cannot be enforced against 1 a Bank, which has no clause in its charter, uuthuriz i ing the State to proceed against it. 1 his ground, ouee so much talked of, in reference to Bank charters. h»ti, been generally abandoned, even by the banks them sei.,*. They do not and can not, at this day, claim to be merely private corporations. Indeed, their •lignity would be insulted by such a classification. They an,l they know* it well—apo ver in the Stat,-; and will doubtless demonstrate before many days the etliciency of that power, by oWaiuuig from tic Legislature a remission of their past delinquen cies u ith a dispensation, for a y, ar in Cut in- -plainly, to tell t'ue honest truth, against the payment of all ,’ebts. “Oh, what a year of jubilee !’ A aml how glad ly would these ransom, d Banks, change that recur ring and happy period from 2V to 7 years, or even a shorter period. This is a privilege, however, that n ill not or granted to the people at large. The Banks lui’ , th,* power to have themselves protected, a.l tlirr call it. relieved from all »mb-arra.*.«m<mt; bufthc great ii. mi-ity of the people, t'kor fevmers ami mercliaAts. ami other citizens, may and must mon through all the storm of this wintry* and piercing db-x, which now closes in upon them. But to return. Banks are not private corporations ; th,*\ a.- >■ i public corporations ;in this State they nrc cloth- d with exclusive privileges, and whether .•\;.H'*s.*,| in their Charters or not, under the implied obligation to fui ni>h to the State ami the people there o*. .. >uml currency, convertible at once into the “con - stitutional currency" and if they fail to do this, their contract i> at an end —can be rescinded like all con tract* with individuals ami there being a mode •tied out ou the Statute Book, bv which the con ’. . u i’h the Slate—while the Bunk iias failed to ful fil on its part, cm cerescinded to wit: the suit and Judgment for forfeiture reaching all every Bank bv it* express term*. I therefor e conclude that a Bank which has no special ciu! forfeiture in its Charter for non-payment of subject to a general Haw of tl.e Stale now , f foln* »n theStatth ai.'L forfeit ure can be consummated.” At nil events, as one of the r;tizoii* ot Georgia, I should be please! to >ce all the Bank* that arc able to di*charge their debt*, doas t' ■ 'it to ' ■ ncMuscu'tice in good faith to th< be*; "I th* ir ability pay what they owe redeem their credit nnd r estore puidic tranquility, and let those who 11. .:ik that tbr laws <»f the State are ip their favor, • rvthe fortrmr of that war. Whatever may he the • •pinion i f I* gal gcutleiiß'ii on this subject, it isexi •h ;il t!i;;t al! the Banks lune onr opinion, <>n« foith,. I on" pn.\er their apmi<»n is that thev have sir>- ned th, ir faith is in the Legisiatuie to f rghe ar.d i e.li eni them ; ;n;*l their pr uvrr is, “Oh. noble Seiia t. : . ; .l «- ?:*• us R' pre*»s t»tivcsof the State of Geor gia, span- u*. in mere} *| ttJvlhy chosen favorite .*,•>- , ...is. ai.l deliver us from Go v. Brown” 1 rvmai k is r > .up • i j ulilir c:»rpor riti.cx tkrroie ;* thm they aie subject !> * : <• <; mtnil and due, li m the Legr* '■"i :• rj'H'fii hfil ex *:**i*eoflh**s>>uii,l*lis**m’. ui*'f that twidy. It. however, the 1 *!s *v,!>4 gro.>si » at u*e such pov, ti. ;.i;d j uu iir i au.i. < unji'i i0e.,11 quasi public v,rp<Matu u.thv, ,• is jot euin :be(’-»urt !•• protect them »,* wHI SHaßrgizrn* rr mCideme, injmy or wrong. V •«. will hear m> ment;.*n made , I sl, •• rule* in the Nottbern law Books, that c v.uti v in which corporalu ** *U «D»i. rd I y v, o rh ■ . , y ■> done, e. rw to thr nt.k’ti of acijuin i.amb< • > a «••♦<!«-,i spoon tlrrv have but two prummcnl legal rule*. Ist. If the cor- i ntion wants thrHtivens’ property, they are public In titution*. “nd. It thr citizens de-iie to compel tl uni a* public insti»'<ti< ns to irfiaiii from ,Liu aging the public, tliev as pr i\ ate in.-’Hutions st«u.d on tl;,nr chartered rights, and dvfv the Legislator*. You will, however, find tlie-e rule* to be <!e lured from the* elementary pi inriple* of the English laws— d«faredi in tlie Southern slmelioldirig Slates - when tl qUK* • be i raised at d enunc atrd in <>, tgia by tl;> act of l*'o, nnd its ;unc.ubnrn:sof I*ll, IMS am! i*K - ., which, ur Sapremr Judicial Tribunal Ims de dared by solemn judgment to be constiUUimral. and, of hirer tn the State. The twa proposition not-nstahrvd by reference h> the acts. Gov Brown, light in Lt* uiinsk uetioo •■ditht'fova now bhidjugoi*, .mi ; and ik* hi> functions in riiis iv*|ect are exccit* tire i-l not legislative^lvc-'Aiill.<fo La-, lij.y in vxecul - ii g tl.e law wi.ru a ca*e is laid I cf tie him, but would In r< to nt t bis fogh trust, if lie ••*•■;-■'■!..• act, ir tna’l- . foilimr, refusing or neglecting to ir hi couloi iui’y to the statute* \ icv.rw of th* Bank roport will Lu given next week. • BUMk [COMMVMCATEI>.| The Milledgeville papers poiirctncnr of Dr. Jobr> i’». Lrwi* rv* St-i»perin- tend,. nt of the State Road, and Gem Me<’on nell a> keeper of the PenitcvAiAry. t’icnie:>, >o far a* they arc knwvn in thksse'clion ofthe Stat •. are likely to be very acceptable. At a’l events, truth nnd e.tndor require that it be -tated. that the old ineanibent* were not *o; and whether they were or not deserving ot tlie prejudice existing in the puldie mind again t them, the possibility of their re-appoint inent injured the juirty in thi* neighborhood* and the injury would have been serious if the firm belief had not taken hold of many that they would lx? dropped. Jn these cast’s the Governor's action receives, it is not doubted, tlie approbation of almost the entire portion of Middle and Southern (iovu'gia. Let the purint- !)d, nt go forward now boldly and fairly to the disuharge of bis duty. L, t all free tick given F*> gentleineu <’f distinction, as well as t*> gentlemen who are not of distinction be recalled—abolish instantly all favoritism—let there ho one uniform tariff’ of freights for the r; f i a* well the poor, the small merchant as v. viHi; the large. Make everyone traveling on the road pay. an»l pay the same fare be bo Ex President, E.x-Governor, or Ex'-Cow-Dri* ver; anti require all subordinates, under pen ty ot immediate dism’nsiou* to be active, bon , *(. polite and attentive to all persons having business with or traveling on the road. Ilion all m ill be well—the road will make money— the people will be satisfied—the talk of selling it cease, and it- management become popular; ,*therwi.-e the public feel no interest in the rex mov.nl <>f one gentlemen ami the substitution ot another, if the condition of affair* is not to be thereby altered. 8188. MIU.iiPGEVII.LE. Nov. 17. I*’". house. The Gommittee on Agriculture ami Internal Improvcm. nt*, t > \vhonx were referred a num bui' ~f !>'Jl* t icharter c rtaiti Rail Tb'ad Com panie*. nnd loan the aid ot the State to cer|airt Itiil I? »i D, report? I a* a substitute, n bill to aid an 1 oa-’hiiragi? the construction ot th*' •(. <u gin Air Line*’* the ‘ Macon *v Brunswick. • ‘ Savannah, Griffin & North Alabama, mid the ‘Ellijay Rail Ro^ds,’’on certain condi tions. The same Committee made a favorable report on the subject of loaning the aid of tho -t. e ? . R iil Road*. The biffs ’ff