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COLUMBUS,
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 25, 1855.
Congressional Convention, 2d District.
We suggest that the Democratic Congressional Conven
tion for the Second District be held at Americas, on Wed
nesday, 11th July next. The Supreme Court will be in
session at that time in Americus;’ What say our Demo
cratic cotemporaries to this suggestion? The time and
place ought to be agreed upon at once. wtwtd.
Action ot the Democratic Party in Muscogee—
A Platform erected on which all Southern
Men may stand.
We publish in another column the proceedings of
the meeting of the Democracy of Musoogee. which as
sembled in this city on Wednesday 23d inst. The
meeting was an unusually large one, and the results,
if followed up by the S*ate Convention, will prove to be
of the most vital importance to the South and the Un
ion. We call the special attention of every citizen of
the State who is anxious to preserve the constitutional
rights of the South in the Union, if possible, but, if that
cannot bo done, to provide other means outside of the
Union for their protection, to the series ot resolutions
adopted by the Convention. They were designed by
the authors of them to meet fairly and squarely the
pending issues between the North and the South and
to place the Southern Democracy upon a platform broad
enough for every truo republican in every part of the
country to stand upon and pledge them, without refe
rence to old party divisions to affiliate in party associa
tion with all men who will co-operate with them in its
maintenance. To secure Southern union, therefore, it
is only necessary for the members of other parties in
the South to place themselves upon a similar platform
and the work is effected. This can be the more readi
ly done as all the issues of the present crisis are fully
covered by the fourth resolution of the Georgia platform,
whioh the Convention adopted, and recommended the
Convention, shortly to assemble in Milledgeville, to make
the basis of Democratic action in all future contests be
tween the North and the South in which the institution
of slavery may be involved. The Union men of Geor
gia will not abandon their own platform because the
Democracy of Georgia have retreated upon it from
iheir advanoed lino of 1850. The Southern Rights
men are earnestly entreated to refer to that platform.
It covers the whole ground of controversy between
the North and the South at this time and wili be none
the less acceptable to them because it was made * the
means of defeating them heretofore, if it can now be
used as the means of uniting the South, and as a sword
to avenge us upon our fanatical enemies.
A word as to the substitute offered by Maj. How
ard and rejected by the meeting. The preamble and
Ist resolution are in substanoe affirmed by the resolu
tions adopted by the Convention and if separated from
the 2d resolution would have been passed by the Con
vention. But in the present disorganized state of old
parties it v/as not thought advisable, as urged in that
resolution, to disband the Democracy, espeoially in face
of the fact that the Know Nothing organization, of the
object and purpose of which we know but little and
that little is not calculated to inspire confidence at the
South, is in full vigor. It was thought more advsaible
to preserve the Democratic organization and make it
the rallying point of all lovers of constitutional freedom
in every part of the Union and especially of ail sound
men at the South. It will also be remembered that
Maj. Howard’s substitute was introduced to the Con
vention under Know Nothing auspices. While they
were urging the Democracy to disband, they gave no
pledges that the secret political organization of which
they were members would follow suit; and it was very
natural for the meeting to fear that in their zeal for the
South they were laying a trap for the unsuspecting and
unwary Democrats of Muscogee county. This may j
not have been true, but when a man puts on a mask it
is not the fault of the public if his motives are suspect
ed. Besides, the 2d resolution of the substitute of
fered by Maj. Howard laid down no broad platform
upon which he proposed to rally all the men of all the
parties in the South. True, it proposed to “unfurl a
banner under whose folds all Southern men may array
themselves,” but it was silent, profoundly and omi
nously silent ns to the inscriptions it was to have blaz
ing upon its folds. If the Know Nothings, who intro- I
dueed the preamble and resolutions, were in the aseen- j
daney in the grand army Maj. Howard proposed toral- I
ly, they might have inscribed upon it the sentiments of
their odious third degree, or that other clap-trap,
Americans shall rule America , or some other such
Know Nothing trumpery ; and instead of being the ■
leader of Southern patriots, the Major might have
found himself at the head of a rag-tag and bobtail army !
of Union savers. To our minds the preamble and reso
lutions so earnestly advocated by Major Howard were
designed by those who offered them to break up the
Democratic party, and, if adopted, would have resulted
in this alone. We are glad they were voted down.
The action of the meeting resulted in the withdraw- ’
al of ten or twelve Know Nothings from the party.— :
We are sorry to part with them, and hope they may 1
find in their new associations as true and loyal Southern j
men as they left behind them, and may never have i
cause to regret their departure from the old paths. If
they shall be able to purge the American party from
the stain of Abolitionism, they will have accomplished
a herculean and praiseworthy labor and will deserve
well of the country. We may be permitted, without
casting any slur upon their powers, to question their
capacity to achieve the work they have undertaken.
Union Meeting of nil the Parties.
By reference to our advertising columns it will be
seen that a meeting of all parties is called at Tempe
rance Hall, the proposed object of which is to unite the
South against Northern aggression. The object is a
very laudable one and if the movers in the matter can
succeed in bringing the Whigs and Know Nothings up
to the fighting line laid down by the Democracy of
Musoogee on Wednesday last, they will deserve well of
the country. Before joining in the movement, Demo
crats would do well to see the platform the Conglome
rate Party will erect, and of what materiel the rank and
file are composed. Submissionists of 1850 and Know
Nothings of the Union Degree are not safe and trusty
leaders of a resistance and, may be, Disunion paity.
It is not the first time a cat was hid in a meal tub.
Third Congressional District. —We learn that
Hon. David J. Bailey was defeated in the District
Convention which recently assembled in Forsyth, and
that Mr. Smith, of Upson, was chosen, after several
ballots, as the candidate of the Democratio party for
Congress.
Mr. Buchanan. —Letters have been received from Mr
iD 7o ich be M > s be 6bali leave *■ mission
ast ,° f Ptember, and travel in Europe for some
i we before returning to the United States.
The Georgia Platform and the “Union Degree.”
The Democratio, or, if you please, Southern Rights
party of Georgia objected to the Georgia Platform be
cause it shirked the pending issues between the North
and the South and drew a fighting line far in the rear
of our then position. When, however, the South is
driven back to the defences of the Georgia Platform,
every Southern Rights man in the State will be found
at his post ready to do or die for his native laud. That
hour is fast approaching and it therefore becomes im
portant to point out clearly the principles of the Geor
gia Platform. They are contained in the 4th of the
series of resolutions passed by the Georgia Convention
of 1850, which is in these words :
“Be it therefore resolved by the People of Georgia
in Convention assembled , 4th., That the State of Geor
gia, in the judgment of this Convention, will and ought
to resist even (as a last resort) to a disruption of every
tie which binds her to the Union, any action of Con
gress upon the subject of slavery in the District of
Columbia, or in plaoes subject to the jurisdiction of
Congress, incompatible with the safety, domestic tran
quility, the rights and honor of the slaveholding States ;
or in any act suppressing the slave trjgde between the
slaveholding States, or in any refusal to admit as a
State any Territory hereafter applying , because of
the existence of slavery therein ; or in any act pro
hibiting the introduction of slaves into the Territory of
Utah or New Mexico ;or iu any act repealing or ma
terially modifying the laws now in force for the re
covery of fugitive slaves.’’
To the maintenance of these principles the people
of Georgia are committed by the most solemn act of
their delegates in Convention assembled. We cannot
retreat from them without incurring in the eyes of all
honorable men the most damning infamy. Now it is
j well known that the great majority of the people of the
Northern States are pledged to the repeal of the Kan
sas act and also to prevent her admission into the Un
ion with a constitution recognising slavery. Recent
events make it almost certain that Kansas will, in the
course of the next two years, apply for admisssion into
the Union with a constitution tolerating slavery. If the
North is true to its pledges, Congress will refuse to ad
mit her into the Union “because of the existence of
slavery therein.” What then ? Other States and
people may submit to the outrage, but Georgia cannot.
She is pledged to resist such refusal “even (as a last re
sort) to a disruption of every tie which binds her to the
Union.” There is, therefore, every reasonable proba
bility that the citizens of Georgia will be called on,
during the next two years, by a Convention of her
people, the supreme power in the Stata, not only to
weaken the bonds of the Union, but totally to destroy
and subvert it. Such a call, no good oitizizen who true
allegiance bears to the State of Georgia could refuse to
obey.
In view of these solemn duties, is it not treason to
the State of Georgia for her citizens to bind themselves
by solemn oaths “to uphold maintain and defend the
Union ; to discountenanco any attempt, coming from
any and every quarter , which is designed or caoulated
to destroy or subvert it, or to weaken its bonds In
certain centingences, we, as Georgians, are bound by
our allegiance to the State “to disrupt every tie which
binds her to the Union.” We cannot, therefore, with
out violating the most sacred duties of citizenship as
sume obligations inconsistent with those imposed by
the Georgia Platform. Yet we blush to write that every
Know Nothing who has taken the third or Union De
gree of the Order has bound himself by solemn oath to
sustain the Union at all hazards and against every enemy.
The obligation taken by the members of this degree is
in these words:
OBLIGATIONS.
You and each ofyou, of your own free will and accord,
in the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses with
your hands joined in token of that fraternal affection which
should ever bind together the States ot this Union, forming
a ring, in token of your determination that, so far as your
efforts can avail, this Union shall have no end, do solemnly
and sincerely swear (or affirm) that you will not under any
circumstances, disclose in any manner, nor suffer it to be
done by others if in your power to prevent it, the name,
signs, pass-words or other secrets of this Degree, except to
those to whom you may prove on trial to be brothers of the
same Degree, or in open council for the purpose of instruc
tion ; that you do hereby solemnly declare your devotion
to the Union of these States; that in the discharge of
your duty as American citizens you will uphold, main
tain, and defend it; that you will discourage and discoun
tenance any attempt coming from any and every quarter,
which you believe to be designed or calculated to destroy,
or subvert it, or to weaken'its bonds ; and that you will use
your influence, as far as in your power, in endeavoring to
procure an amicable and equitable adjustment of all politi
cal discontents or differences, which may threaten its injury
or overthrow.
You do further promise and swear (or affirm) that you
wili not vote for any one to fill any office of honor, or profit,
or trust, ot a political character, whom you know or be
lieve to he in favor ot a dissolution of the Union of these
States, or who is endeavoring to produce that result; that
you will vote for and support for all political offices third
or Union Degree members of this order in preference to all
others ; that if it may done consistently with the Constitu
tion and laws of the land, you will when elected or ap
pointed to any official station, which may confer on you
the power to do so, remove from office or place, all persons
whom you know or believe to be in favor of a dissolution
of the Union, or who are endeavoring to produce that re
sult ; and that you will in no case appoint such persons to
any political office or place whatever. All this you prom
ise and swear (or affiim) upon your honor as American
citizens and friends of the American Union, to sustain and
abide by without any hesitation or mental reservation what
ever. You also promise and swear (or affirm) that this,
and all other obligations which you have previously taken
in this Order, shall ever be kept sacred and inviolate. To
all this you pledge your lives, your fortunes, and your sacred
honors. So help you God and keep you steadfast. [Each
one shall answer, “1 do.”]
We invite the particular attention of our readers to
that part of this insidious obligaion which we have
italicised. There is no doubt about its meaning or ob
ject. It is designed to tie the South on to the North in
any and every emergency by binding the consciences of
her sons by solemn oaths to maintain the Union at all
hazards and against every enemy. If the majority es
the Southern people are caught in this insidious snare of
the Know Nothings, farewell to Southern insistence,
farewell to the Georgia Platform! The doom of the
South will be forever sealed.
Yet men who belong to the Know Nothing order
and have doubtless taken this obligation are just now
busily talking about Southern union and united resis
tance to Northern fanaticism ! Non tali auxilio, nec
defensoribus istie, tempus egit.
Southern men who have taken the obligation of this
degree are the bond slaves of fanaticism. They must
either purjure themselves, or else resist even the State
of Georgia, if she should dare to cut the bonds that
bind her to the Union.
It may be denied that we give the true version of
the obligation. To convince our readers of the accura
cy of our statements we give the following history of
the document from the Louisville Journal , a paper in
the interests of the Know Nothings. The Journal
says:
The editor of the Pittsburg Gazette, who is an enemy of
the American party, has, he says, got possession of one of
the books in which the rites of the order are contained, and
fublishes what he asserts to be “the genuine Ritual of the
irst, Second and Third Degrees as now administered in the
several councils.” He does not tell how he came in pos
session of the Ritual, but another Pittsburg editor stales that
it was among the contents of a lost pocket-book which the
fiuder took to the editor of the Gazette, who abstracted the
document therefrom and laid it before the public.
The chief obligation imposed on members of the First
and]Second Degrees is, according to the publication in the
Pittsburg paper, to support native-born American citizens for j
all offices of honor, trust or profit in the gift of the people, i
to the exclusion of foreigners and aliens, Roman Catholics j
in particular, and without regard to party predilectious, and 1
to dismiss foreigners and Roman Catholics from office
when the power to do so is possessed by those taking the
obligation. But it is to the Ritual of the Third Degree, as
here given to the world, that we particularly desire to call
the public attention and to invite the public scrutity. The
whole country will see on reading it, that it embodies,
whether genuine or not, the strongest and most solemn anti-
Northern abolition obligations and the strongest and most
solemn anti Southern secession obligations that could be
administered “iu the presence of Almighty God.”
Meeting of the Democratic Party of 3luscogee.
A portion of the Democratio party of Muscogee
county assembled in the Court House, in pursuance of
previous notice, at 12 o'clock M., on Wednesday 23d
inst. Hon. Martin J. Crawford was called to the chair
and J. A. Fox, Esq., appointed Secretary.
Hon. Alfred Iverson offered the following resolu
tions :
Resolved , That we, a portion of the Democratic par
ty of Muscogee County, now assembled agreeably to pub
lic notice, approve and sanction the Democratic Conven
tions proposed to be assembled at Milledgeville and
Americus ; aud that we will appoint the usual number
of Delegates lo those .Conventions.
Resolved , That the Ciia nnan appoint a committee of
| 9 to present the names of delegates to the respective
i Conventions and to select such other matter for tho con
! sideration of the meeting as they may deem advisable.
John A, Jones Esq., offered a preamble and resolu
lutions as a substitute, which were sustained by Maj.
John 11. Howard and Wiley Williams Esq. Hon. Al
fred Iverson then raised a point of order as to whether
a Know Nothing should b allowed to take part in a
Democratic meeting. Mr. Jones insisted that he wa3
a Democrat and claimed as a right all the privileges
that attached to him as such but refused to deny that
he was a Know Nothing. Pending the discussion of
this point of order Mr. Jones called upon all persons
who favored his resolutions to withdraw from the Con
vention and walked out followed by some Democrats
and several Whigs.
The resolutions offered by Hon. Alfred Iverson were
then taken up and unanimously adopted. The com
mittee consisted of Messrs. Alfred Iverson, Marshall J.
Wellborn, S. A. Billing, David J. Barber, John 11.
Howard, James Hamilton, P, H. Colquitt, Porter
Ingram and T. Lomax.
After an absence of a brief space the Committee
returned and reported the following
RESOLUTIONS I
1. Resolved, That w r e sympathize with the friends of tho
slavery cause in Kansas, in their manly efforts to maintain
their rights and the lights and interests of the Southern
people, and that we rejoice at their recent victories over
the paid adventurers and jesuitical hords of northern aboli
tionism.
2. Resolved, That the deep interest felt and taken by the
people of Missouri in .the settlement of Kansas and the
decision of the slavery question in it, is both natural and
proper, and that it is their right and duty to extend to their
Southern brethren in that Territory every legitimate and
honorable sympathy and support.
Resolved, Thatjwe claim for the citizens of the South
ern States the right to emigrate to Kansas with their slave
property, and to have it protected by law; that we claim
for the people of that territory, as well as others, the right
to establish slavery it they choose; we claim for our breth
ren in Kansas an “open field” and “fair fight” in tho impor
tant and exciting struggle before them, and we deprecate
and denounce any official interference, either directly or in
directly, come from what quarter it may, which maybe
calculated or intended to defeat these rights, or to give
“face and form” to their political institutions.
4. Resolved, That the people of Kansas have the right,
when the number of their population justifies it, to form a
Republican State Constitution with or without slavery as
they may determine, and be admitted into the Union upon
equal footing with the other States, and that her rejection
by Congress on account of slavery, would be a just cause
for the‘disruption’ of all the ties that bind tho Southern
States to the Union.
5. Resolved, That we approve and endorse the action
of the last Congress in the passage of the Nebraska Bill,
and the principles thereby established, and we demand that
they be carried out in good faith in the future legislation of
the country.
6. Resolved, That those Northern men who have
fought the battles of tho South on the Nebraska-Kansas
act are entitled to and shall receive our most cordial sym
pathy and support, and as Jong as they continue to defend
the rights of the South under the Constitution are worthy
of party affiliation with the Southern people.
7. Resolved. That whilst we are willing to act in party
association with all sound and reliable men in every sec
tion of the Union, we are not willing to affiliate with any
party at the north or elsewhere that shall not recognize,
approve and carry out in good faith, the principles and pro
visions of the Nebraska Biil, and that the Democratic par
ty of the South ought to cut off all party connexion with
every man at the North who does not come up fairly and
fully to this line of political sentiment and action.
9. Resolved, That we consider the union of the South
upon the foregoing platform, essential to the safety of the
South, and the perpituity of a constitutional union of these
States, and we recommend to the Convention about to as
semble at Milledgeville, to consider this subject, and adopt
the most effectual means to attain this important object,and
unite all good and true men iu such a political and party as
sociation as will secure the supremacy of the constitution,
the rights of every section under it, and the administration
of the government upon true Republican principles.
8. Resolved, That the 4th Rosolution *of the “Georgia
Platform” of December JBSO, ought to be firmly maintain
ed by the whole South, and fcthat we recommend the
Convention at Milledgeville to re-affirm it, and make it
the fundamental basis and guide of Democratic action in
all future contests between the N jrth and South in which
the institution of slavery may be involved.
10. Resolved,That the repeated alleged insults to our
flag and outrages upon our citizens by the Spanish author
ities of Cuba, demand the most prompt and energetic at
tention and action of our government, and if found to be
true,fnothingi lass than full .indemnity for the past and
ample, security for the future,should restrain it from a re
sort to extreme measures of punishment and redress.
11. Resolved, That we are decidedly opposed to the se
cret political organization, commonly called the “Know
Nothing” order, or “American Party,” which is now at
tempting to control the politics of the country and usurp
the government. We are opposed to it Ist. Because of the
secret character of it3 proceedings. 2d. Because it impo
ses upon its members, by solemn oaths, a blind obedience
to the dictates of others in their social and political rela
tions. 3d. Because it enjoins upon its members the denial
of the truth—inculcates and promotes insincerity and du
plicity, and stifles the bold,open, manly conduct and con
-1 versation which characterizes the man of honor and the
freeman. 4th. Because it builds up and diffuses through j
society an organized band of secret spies, to watch the con
duct and catch the words of the unsuspecting to be report
ed to their secret midnight councils, and made the founda
tion of personal.and political proscription and persecution.
sth. Because it makes religion a test Pof qualification for
office, thereby violating the Constitution, engendering ill
will amongst religious sects, and leading to personal strifes
and the shedding of human blood. 6th. Because it closes
the door of all political rights and preferment to foreigners
of every grade and character, and strikes at of
emigration, thereby condemning the sentiments and policy
of the Founders of the Republic, and reversing the uniform
action of the Democratic Party, in holding out to j
the world that “America is the asylum for the oppressed of
all nations.’, 7th. Because it unites Southern men in filial
party bonds and political organization, with the worst ele
ments of Northern fanaticism—subjects the Southern lodg
es to the controlling numerical strength and power of the
Northern associations, and forces them to yield obedience !
or support to the dangerous, destructive, and disgraceful 1
movements ot Northern abolitionism. Bth. Because it :
pledges its members, by solemn oaths, to a blind allegiance !
to the Union, and makes that sentiment an object para- j
mount to all other obligations, and forbids in spirit, if not
in terms, any resistance to Northern aggression or uncon
stitutional oppression. 9th. Because, in short, its organic
* 4th Resolution—Georgia Platform:
That the State of Georgia,in the judgment of this Con
vention, will and oughtto resist, even (as a last resort) to a
disruption o? every tie which binds her to the Union, any
action of Congress upon the subject oi Slavery
in the District of Columbia, or in places subject to
the jurisdiction of Congress, incompatible with the safety,
domestic tranquility, the rights and honor of the slavehold
ing States; or ,any act suppressing the slave trade between
the slaveholding States; or any refusal to admit as a
State any territory hereafter applying, because of the exis
tence; of slavery therein; or any act prohibiting the in
troduction of slaves into the territories of Utah and New
Mexico; or any act repealing or materially modifying
the laws in force for the recovery of lugiti?e slaves,
zation and mode of proceeding—its aims and objects—its
from and spirit, are subversive of those great principles of
civil and religious liberty which have ever been, and we
trust will ever eontinue to be, the pride and boast of the
American people.
12. Resolved, That we consider it the duty of every pa-,
triot, who reveres the Constitution and the Union: of every
citizen, who loves the peace, good order and dignity of so
ciety: of every Christian, who advocates the liberty of
conscience and of religious worship; of every true .South
ern man, who is determined to maintain to the last extrem
ity, the just and equal rights of the South under the Con
stitution, to unite in the overthrow of this mischievous and j
dangerous party |
13. Resolved,That we repectfully but earnestly urge our
brother Democrats, who have joined this secret order, to
reconsider their steps and wiffidraw from an association,!
which contains the elements of so much mischief and dan- j
! ger,and which, if it triumphs at all, must triumph over that j
! time-honored party with which they have been so long
i and intimately connected, and over their old friends with
whom they have stood shoulder to |houlder in so many ;
hard-fought fields of political warfare.
14 Resolved, That without reference to old party di- j
visions, we are willing to affiliate in party association,with ;
all men who will take position upon the principles ar,d the j
platform embraced in the foregoing resolutions, and re- j
spectfully invite their co-operation.
Maj. John 11. Howard gave notice of a minority j
report and of a motion to strike out the Uth Resolution.
He was not, he said, a Know Nothing. They were
wrong he knew in their proscription of Catholios, but
he believed this was a mere bait to catch the Protest
ant clergy, as most of the Know Nothings of his ac
quaintance had no religion at all. But he had no
fear of thfe organization. The members of it
in the South could be counted on in the struggle with
Northern Abolition and it was bad policy to insult men
whose aid we needed. He had no objections to the res
olutions reported by the Conwnittee, they were all good
and true and Southern,except the 11th.If passed by the j
! people and not by a party they were good enough.ln the
j present crisis of afiairs, we must cut loose from all par
; ty assciation and unite with all our Southern brethren
j iu defense of the South ; and he had, therefore, sup
ported the resolutions of Mr. John A Jones in the first
instance, and now offered them as a substitute for the
resolutions reported by the majority of the Committee.
He did not believe effectual resistance could be offered
to Northern aggression as long as opposing parties
existed in the South, though he believed Democratic
principles must control the policy of the convention
his resolutions proposed to assemble.
lion. Marshall J. Wellborn in reply to Maj. Howard
argued that it was our duty and polioy to take issue
with this secret organization which, under cover of
plausible pretexts was in effeot aiming a blow at a fun
damental principle of human rights, the freedom of
conscience. Indeed, it had been suffered to go unas
sailed already too long. He deemed it the best mode to
dissect it, and plainly expose its false and dangerous
nature, as had been done in the bold and masterly lan
guage of the Chrirman of the Committee, who repor
ted the resolutions, (Hon. Alfred Iverson.) It was con
ceded by the gentleman, (Maj. Howard,) that the prin
ciples of the Know Nothings, so far as they make re
ligious opinion the test of qualification for office, wero
wrong, and the gentleman regards that tenet of their
creed as deceitfully thrown out to gather strength. If
this were so, were we at liberty to withhold our denun
ciation of it ? For his own part, however, he did not
doubt there were manytrue and fair minded men of both
political parties, Whigs and Democrats, who had joined
without a full and careful investigation of its nature and
tendency. Many of these on reflection would recede
fiom it, the Demcrats resuming their plaoes in our
ranks, as invited by the Resolutions to do, while it
was our privilege to hope, that many Whigs, preferring
correct principles to party alliance, would join us, and
thus repay the loss we shall finally sustain from our
present number by the Order.
Hon. Alfred Iverson then took the floor and in a very
able address sustained the Report of the Committee.—
He was opposed to the formation of a strictly Southern
Party as it would result in the formation of an oppo
sing Party in the Northern States and as the North had
a majority in Congress and in the Electoral College,
such a movement on our part would result in the inev
itable defeat of the South. W r e had tried the policy re
oommended, in 1850, and the result was our total and
ignominious defeat, and such would be the result of
similar action to-day. The Democratic party was the
party of the Constitution, and the only reason why it
had not achieved a complete victory over fanaticism was
that our Northern friends were not supported with
unanimity at the South. There was no suoh objection
lo the Democratic party as the gentleman supposed.
The Whig party was disbanded, and he was in posses
sion of assurances from the leading Whigs of Georgia
that they would affiliate with the Democracyif they were
placed upon such a platform as that erected in the re
port of the majority of the committee, and he did not
question but that evesy man who really was in earnest
in bis purpose to defend the South would co-operate
with us, and that a great National party would be form
ed true to the constitution and jealous of the rights of
every section.
The Know Nothings were a distinct political organi.
zation. They were arrayed in hostility to the Demo
sratio party ia Virginia and Tennessee. In the North,
| a similar spectacle was presented. There is no oth
| er party that is waging war upon the them except the
Democratic. Disband that and where will the people
;go ? Into the Counoils of the Know Nothings of course.
! There wa3 nowhere else for them to go. In the North
! ern States the Order is in league with fanaticism. In
; June next there will be a Grand Council of the Order,
| and John A. Jones and Wiley Williams and other
i Democratic IvnowNotbings will meet in secret conclave
with Gardner and Wilson and Sumner, and other of
the most infamous Abolitionists in the land. Such as- j
sociations were ominous of evil to the South. Party j
associations are the most difficult of all others to break, 1
and the most powerful in the formation of opinion. He
1 instanced the fact that the States Rights party of Geor
gia, had by associating in 1840with the Whigs, renoun- I
ced all their old principles and given their support for j
years to the American system. So it would prove j
with the'Southern Know Nothings. By the third de- j
gree of the Order they are sworn to support the Union j
under all circumstances. If the Northern Lodges were i
to abolish slavery, the Southern Know Nothings would ;
be bound by the oaths of the third degree to adhere to
the Union. There is no safety to the South, but in the
overthrow of the Order.
On motion of A. Iverson the report of the majority
of the Committee was received.
Maj. John H. Howard moved to strike out the 11th j
Resolution, which was lost, only 1 vote being cast in the ;
affirmative. He then moved to substitute the folllow- I
ing resolutions reported by a minority of the Commit- !
tee :
REPORT OF THE MINORITY OF THE COMMITTEE.
Whereas, the histojy of the.past has convinced us, that we
whose interest and affection attach us to the South, have
nothing to hope, but every thing to fear at the hands’of the
political organizations of the non-slaveholding States, from
the spirit of Abolitionism which pervades and controls all
of them: And whereas, the action of these States upon the
question of slavery conclusively shows that a large majori
ty of the people thereof are actuated by one common sen
timent of hostility to the institutions of the South: And
whereas, the gallant hand of Patriots within those States
who are friends to the South are faithful to the Constitution,
and who we remember with gratitude, have been routed, 1
disbanded and almost annihilated, we believe the ex j„ r , 1
imneratively requires us to be one people and one partv^’
Be it therefore Resolved, That the time has arrivt j
the differences which haev divided our fellow citizens tfe °
be forgotten, and a common enemy, and a common dancer
unite us for the common safety.
2. Be it further Resolved, That to attain this end. the
delegates appointed at this meeting to the Convention to)
held at Milledgeville, on the day of June next, t
and they are hereby, instructed lo make no nomination f<V
Governor at that Convention, but to advocate the publica
tion by the Convention of a call upon the people ot ti
State, without distinction of party, whether Democrat*”
Whigs,Know Nothings, Temperance men, and the op
ponents of all, to send delegates to a convention to he
held at a place and time therein named, for the purpose ot
nominating a Governor, and unfurling a banner under
whose folds all Southern men may array themselves.
The vote was taken upon Maj. Howard’s substitute,
which was lost—only one vote being erst for it.
A. Iverson then moved the adoption of the report of the
majority of the Committee which was unanimously adop
ted.
The following delegates were apppointed to attend
the Gubernatorial Convention : Messrs. J. F. Boze
man, Porter Ingram, James Hamilton, John B. Dozer
and Geo. J. Pitts.
The following delegates were appointed delegates to
the Congressional Convention—Seootid District, —
Messrs. A. J. Robison, B. V. Iverson, J. B. Hicks,
Martin J. Crawford, and M. J. Wellborn.
On motion of P. 11. Colquitt, the meeting adjourned.
Martin J. Crawford, President.
J. A. Fox, Seo’y.
[FOR THE TIMES AND SENTINEL..]
“Let nil Things be Done Decently uml in Or.
tier.”
Messrs. Editors •—Allow me through yov’r colums to
suggest the . propriety of better order being had at the
Methodist Church, and the observance of a huffier regard
for its Pastor and congregation. The sister churches of
our city have perfect order maintained in their assemblies,
and duo respect is paid their ministers; and I c.xnnot see
why tlie Methodist Church and its ministry should not be
treated with equal decorum.
There is a class of “young America,” would-be-men,
that regularly attend the Methodist Church every Sabbath
evening, who sit out in the colonade with their canes, rap
ping the floor, puffing the fumes of their odoriferous
gars in the faces of ladies and gentlemen, and indulge t
conversation loud enough to be heard over the church,
with an occasional ha! ha! Such conduct is exceedingly
reprehensible, and unbecoming the claims of respectibility.
On last Sabbath evening, a crowd of these'young Ame
rica's’ and a few young men, were engaged in conversation
loud enough to be heard in the pulpit, and to attract the
netice of the entire congregation. It was so annoying that
those who sat in the rear of tho church were obliged to
close the doors. If this state of things continues, (and
things are growing worse) it will drive those from church,
who go to be profited. I trust ther proper authorities of the
Church will have this matter under consideration, and
preserve order or dispense with night service. It is shame
ful, that members of the church, and those who attend, can
not iu quiet and peace enjoy the services of the evening
j without such annoyances.
j I would suggest to those who take their stand in the col
j onade, before morning service, to discuss the state of th:<
! weather, the prospects of tha present crop, and the affairs of
I Sebastopol, that they have mistaken the place for such di?-
sions. Wo are apprised that several members of tiie chu:eh
are none the less guilty in this particular—and we hope they
will set the example of going in church, and not in tiie col
; onade.
It is exceedingly annoying to ladies in going into church
to have to press through a crow of gazing gentlemen, as
are to be found out there every Sabbath morning. They
would be more than obliged if you will squirt your tobac
co juice somewhere else than on the church steps, as tl
are not fond of wading through a puddle of tobacco jui: j
or wiping off the steps with their nice dresses. lam con
fident you can but respect this suggestion in behalf of th<*
ladies.
Finally, let me insist you do not stand on tiie ground ui
front of the church after service is over, and gaze in the fa
ces of the ladies as they descend the steps. This is not on
ly in bad taste but rude, and very ungallant.
With these reflections I close, in the hope that thr c n
munication may be received in the kind spirit with which
it has been intended. Yours, IELIX.
COMMUNICATED.
lam surprised lo find that the “ Blind Team',’ called
Know Nothings, make the expulsion of Catholics their po
litical predicate in Georgia and Alabama, where there arc
no Catholics, and dodge the same predicate in Louisiana
and California, where there are many Catholics. In the
fanatical Free States, opposition to slavery is their creed,
and in the South slavery is their great darling. Can it bo
possible that this blind bridle can be nut on the Southern
people? What is their conjectural strength in the South ?
In haste, PYM.
The Hon. John C- Spencer.
The Hou. John C. Spencer died in Albany, on :ho
evening of the ] Bth inst., from the effects of consul; p
tion. Although the fatal result had been expected !<-r
j some days past, still the announcement of the decease e.
* one of the most distinguished public men in our Su.:e
I has given rise to a very general expression ot regret on
| the part of the people.
i Mr, Spencer was a son of the late Chief Justice Spen
i cer and was born in Cananda’gua, Ontario county, in
I the State of New York about the year He stu-
I died law at an eaHy age, and became one of the most
1 distinguished men in his profession, having had few
equals at the bar.
Possessing the most refined talents, a disposition for ac
tive labor, and a powerful constitution, Mr. Spencer rose
rapidly in his profession, aod during his long career filled
many public offices, with equal credit to himself aid
benefit to his country.
In the year 1820, Mr. Spencer was Speaker of the Leg's
laturo of this State and was a member ot the State Senate
with Silas Wright. He also filled the office of Secretary of
State aud Superintendent of Common Schools during
one term. Governor De Witt Clinton, in the year 1827
associated Mr.Spencer with Benjamin F.Butler and John
Duer as a board to revise the statutes of this State, an 1
in that highly important work he bore a laborious and
useful part.
Mr, Spencer held a seat in Congress from the ■ car
1817 to the year 1819. Under Mr. Tyler’s administra
tion he became Secretary of War, which office he In’d
until the year 1843. lie was immdeiately after waids
appointed Secretary of the Treasury, which post ho ie
signed in 1844.
At tlie close of the Tyler admnistraiion Mr. Spencer
returned to Albany, where he was appointed one of the
commissioners instructed to codify the State laws under
the constitution of 1846.
The deceased was a member of the Episcopal church
and represented Saint Peter's church, Albany, as a
delegate at the Episcopal Convention of the di./et-s -. He
was also a distinguished delegate in the General Cenvt a •
tion of that church.
Meetings of the bar will be held in Albany and other
cities to pnv a more ample tribute to Mr. Spencer's mem
ory.— N. Y. Herald. ‘
A Literary Treat.-- The long prom's-; d life of Wash,
ington, by Irving, will be published in about three weeks;
It is of course, looked fur with the deepest ijjteicth