The Times & sentinel tri-weekly. (Columbus, Ga.) 1855-1858, May 25, 1855, Image 2

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

games mtft Btnimtl 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