Newspaper Page Text
(Constitutionalist mb Hcpublic.
BY JAMES GARDNER, JR.
Letter of Hon. J E. Paulding.
Hayde Park, Duchess county, N. Y.)
September 6th, 1851. )
Gentlemen v—Your letter directed to me at
New York, conveying an invitation to address a
meeting of the citizens of Charleston Distriet, to
be held in Charleston, South Carolina, on the
17th inst., has just reached me at this place,
where I now reside.
For the compliment thus tendered, and the
language in which it is conveyed, I beg you to ac
cept my acknowledgments, accompanied by re
grets that I cannot comply with your wishes.
Distance and space, the burden of years I should
bear with me. and more than all, my incapacity
for public speaking, compel me to decline a task
for which lam totally unfitted. What 1 have to
say, I therefore hope you will permit me to ad
dress to you though a medium to which I am
more accustomed.
As it appears from the tenor of your letter that
you are already sufficiently aware of the opinion
I entertain with respect to what is whimsically
called the Compromise, I will only trouble you
with a brief recapitulation. In my view, it was
A GROSS AND PALPABLE VIOLATION OF THAT GREAT
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF STATE EQUALI
TY, WHICH PREVADES EVERY PROVISION OF THE
Constitution, and forms the basis of this
Confederation; a most unjustifiable attack
on the rights, interest, safety and happi
ness OF ONE HALF of THE STATES COMPOSIG IT,
accompanied by INSULT AND OBLIQUY; a
PRETENDED CONCESSION, wrested p.y
THE MERE FORCE OR NUMBERS OF THE MAJORITY,
AND THAT, IN I*S CONSEQUENCES, IT WILL PROVE
MORE FATAL TO THE REPOSE, PROSPERITY AND
HAPPINESS, IF NOT THE EXISTENCE, OF THE UNION,
THAN ANY MEASURES THAT MAY BE RESORTED TO
IN ATTEMPTING to OBTAIN A REDRESS FOR THE
PAST, OR SECURITY FOR THE FUTURE.
Such being my view of the subject,'l am, and
always have been, of opinion, that the stand
originally taken by South Carolina, and most of
the Southern States, in opposition to the princi
ples embodied in that series of measures, was not
only justifiable, but demanded by a proper re
gard for their rights and their honor; and that
an abandonment of the position they then as
sumed, and an acquiescence in measures they re
peatedly declared they would resist, “at all haz
ards and to the last extremity,” unless accompa
nied by a frank acknowledgment of having been
wrong in the first instance, would, in the lan
guage of the printed resolutions appended to
your letter, be “what they could not submit to
without dishonor.” If such an abandonment of
all previous pledges and declarations were the
result of a subsequent conviction of having great
ly erred in making them, it would be honorable
and magnanimous. But such appears not to be
the case; since even the advocates of acquies
cence still continue .to assert the principles on '
which these pledges and declarations were based,
as well as the wrongs which first called them
forth.
The Association is, I believe, right, in its sec
ond resolution—declaring its brief that the co
operation of auy of the Southern States with
South Carolina, either in resistance or secession,
is it least improbable, so long as the influence
and patronage of the General Government are
arrayed against States Rights. Nor do I see any
reason for believing that any probable change of
administration will produce a change of mea
sures; since, as you will perceive, from their re
peated declarations, ALL PARTIES IN THE
NORTH UNITE IN DENOUNCING SLA
VERY, AND MAINTAINING THE CON
STITUTIONAL RIGHT OF CONGRESS,
AS WELL AS ITS INFLEXIBLE DUTY, TO
PROHIBIT ITS EXTENSION TO ANY
STATE THAT MAY HEREAFTER BE AD
MITTED INTO THE UNION. From all pre
sent appearances, the principles embodied in the
compromise will continue to he the basis or the
future policy of the Government. It seems also
probable, that the States which have submitted
to past, will be equally quiescent under future
wrongs.
Having thus briefly stated my views with re
gard to your first and second, I will now revert
to your last and most wgportaut resolution, name
ly; “that failing in a reasonable tirile to obtain
the co-operation of other Southern States, South
Carolina should alone withdraw from the Union.”
It seems rather late in the day to be called on
to combat the old exploded doctrine of passive
obedience and non-resistance, the assertion ot which
cost one monarch his head, and sent another into
perpetual exile. Yet, as that doctrine has lately
been revived by some of the highest names of
the Republic, it calls for a passing notice in con
nexion with the subject of this letter. It seems
strange , too, that this long buried monster , which
received its death wounds in the ifrp revolutions
of England and America, should have been dug
up and resuscitated by distinguished Democratic
Republican statesmen. From all but the darkest
regions of the civilized world , this portentious phan
tom has been banished , as it would appear, only
TO FIND REFUGE IN THAT WHICH PROFESSES TO
BE THE MOST FREE AND ENLIGHTENED. THERE
is not a European writer, or statf.sman, or
TIIEOLOGIST, OF ANY ESTABLISHED REPUTATION,
THAT WOULD NOW VENTURE TO PROCLAIM THE
SLAVISH PRINCIPLES WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSERT
ED by Republican leaders in the Halls of a
Congress oe Republican States.
A thorough discussion of this doctrine of pas
sive obedience and non-resistance, on the part of
equal members of a Confederation of States,
would require more space than is proper for me
to occupy and more time than you can spare on
this occasion; nor do I deem it necessary. THE
RIGHT OF RESISTANCE BY FORCE, AS
RESPECTS ST ATES AND COMMUNITIES,
IS ONLY AN EXTENSION OF THE INDI
VIDUAL RIGHT OF SELF-DEFENCE,
WHICH IS A LAW OF NATURE ANTE
CEDENT AND PARAMOUNT TO ALL
LAWS, AND ALL CONSTITUTIONS;
WHICH CANNOT BE ALIENATED OR
SURRENDERED BY THE ADOPTION OF
ANY SYSTEM OF SOCIAL ORGANIZA
TION. The doctrine is established beyond con
troversy, by the unanswered and unanswerable
arguments of Sidney and Locke; by the assent of
all the great ancient as well as modern authori
ties on the law of nature and nations; and, if such
were not the case, it has always been, and al
ways will be, acted upon when the occasion
arises, in opposition to all authorities. It is true
that none of the writers who assert or concede
the right of resistance, have attempted to define
the precise line where resistance becomes justi
fiable, because it is not susceptible of definition.
, It is a matter of feeling, and can neither be ana
lyzed or defined,
An'eminent American statesman, high in of
fice, and a candidate for still higher honors, whose
opinions I wish to treat with all due respect, has
lately attempted to establish a broad distinction
between Revolution and Secession; in other
words, the right to resist, and the right of retir
ing out of reach of the necessity of resorting to
resistance. His position, if I rightly compre
hend him, is, that though a people or a State may
have a right to resist by force in certain contin
gencies, they have none to retire peaceably be
yond the reach of injury and oppression. It
seems they have no alternative; they must either
peaceably submit, or forcibly resist , for they cannot
get qjd of the way. It follows that all radical
in the political relations of a State with
a Confederation of States must- necessardy be
brought about by violence and bloody contentions.
Those who cannot live together in peace, must not
part in peace; they must resort to the righto/ the
strangest, and fight it out.
Thus the extermination of a portion of our fel
low-creatures, perhaps our countrymen, is an in
dispisable preliminary to all great political changes;
and hecatombs must he offered up on the altar of
Liberty, before she can become a legitimate god
dess. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS
PRINCIPLE, CONCEDING THE RIGHT
OF REVOLUTION AND DENYING THAT
OF SECESSION, WOULD, IN ITS APPLI
CATION TO THF. CASE NOW UNDER
CONSIDERATION, LEAVE NO RE
SOURCE TO ANY MEMBER OF THIS
CONFEDERATION, UNDER THE MOST
INTOLERABLE OPPRESSION, BUT CIVIL
WAR WITH ALL ITS AGGRAVATIONS. IT
LEAVES OPEN NO APPEAL TO THE
GREAT TRIBUNAL OF REASON, JUS
TICE, AND HUMANITY; THE RIGHT OF
THE STRONGEST IS THE RIGHT DI
VINE: AND DISSENSIONS AMONG A
CONFEDERATION OF CHRISTIAN
STATES, CAN ONLY BE ADJUSTED,
LIKE THOSE OF THE WILD BEAST OF
THE FOREST, BY A DEATH STRUGGLE.
I am aware that this has been the almost invari
able practice of mankind in every age and coun
try: but never, till now, do I recollect seeing it
asserted that it was the only justifiable mode of
settling controversies among States and na
tions; and it is with no little regret fcl see this
doctrine sanctioned by one whose opinions
are of such high authority among a large
portion of the American people. I have
dwelt more emphatically on this topic, because
l consider the right of secession as by far the
most important of all the questions involved in the
present controversy ; and the attack on it as one of '
the most insidious, as well as dangerous bloivs, ever
levelled at the rights of the States, all of whom are
deeply interested in the issue since those who I
are now the aggressors, may one day be placed
in a position where it will be their only refuge i
from the uncontrolled despotism of a majority. i
With regard to the expediency of the State of
South Carolina exercising this right of secession, J
either now or at any future period, it would, I
conceive, be presumptuous to one so far removed
from the scene of action to offer his opinion, or 1
intrude his advice. In such a crisis, South Caro
lina must act for herself, and rely on herself
alone. I would only observe, that in taking a i
step so decisive as that of withdrawing from the i
Union, unanimity among her citizens or some- i
thing nearly approaching it, seems indispensa- i
hie. It appears, however, that many distin- t
guislied men among you, whose reputation is na- 1
tional, whose opinions are entitled to great 1
weight, and who have heretofore taken the lead
in opposing the Compromise, believe that the t
time for secession is not yet come ; that the co- 1
operation of at least a majority of the Southern I
States is absolutely necessary to the successful i
issue of such a measure ; that it is best to wait i
for further injuries, or at least to see whether
they will be attempted. and if so, whether they
will produce such co-operation. Those whose :
views coincide with the resolutions adopted by
your Association, on the other hand, believe that i
immediate secession, or secession after “wait- i
ing a reasonable time” for the co-operation of 1
other States, is indispensible to the safety and
honor of the State of South Carol rna. Which of j
these parties will eventually predominate re- i
mains to be seen; and until that is decided, I i
shall content myself with asserting the right of i
secession, leaving the expediency of its exercisfe
to be decided by the result. Should it be found i
that a very considerable minority is not only 1
opposed, but will resist a resort to this remedy
for their grievances, I conceive its immediate :
adoption would be hazardous in the extreme.— i
But when great interests are at stake.muck should j
be risked in their preservation. For myself I
will only say, that were I a citizen of South |
Carolina, or any other Southern State, I trust I 1
should not he found among those, who, after ]
filacing themselves in front of the battle, and ;
eading their followers into a position whence
they found they could not retreat without dis- ]
honor, retired from the field, only, it would seem, a
to sec if the enemy would pursue them.
A few words more, Gentlemen, in order that '
I may not he misunderstood or misrepresenteil, t
and I will no longer trespass on your time or 1
patience. 1
If 1 know myself, arid the innermost feelings of (
my heart, lam a belter friind to the Union than 1
many of those who,while loudly professing their devo- i
tion, are steadily pursuing a course of policy that has
already alienated a considerable portion of its citi- .
zens, and will assuredly bring about its dissolution. <
It is under the influence of this attachment, that I
have lent my feeble aid in opposition to that po- I
licy. Neither force nor coercion can preserve the i
Union voluntarily formed on the basis of perfect j
equality; nor do I believe it possible to preserve i
or perpetuate this Confederation by any attempts ■
to extend the powers of the General Govern
ment beyond the' limits prescribed by the Constitu
tion, stritrly construed, agreeable to its letter and 1
spirit. The first attempt to coerce any one of I
its members, will be the handwriting on the 1
wall predicting the speedy and certain fate of i
the Union. It is not to be presumed that great i
States, many of them equal in extent to power- <
ful kingdoms, and inhabited by increasing mil- i
freemen, jealous of their rights, brave, ;
high spirited, and energetic, can be held together
except by a voluntary cohesion. This Confedera
tion may he likened to the great system of the
universe, and it is, only, by the benign and gen
tle influence of attraction, that the bright stars 1
of oyr constellation can be kept in their orbits, j
Those who attempt to bridle or spur them, will, j
in the end, fare like the rash fool who aspired to
direct the chariot of the sun.
I am, gentlemen, your obd’t serv't.
J. K. PAULDING.
ToF. D. Richardsone. 11. H. Raymond, W. H.
Perrineau—Committee, &c., &c., Charleston,
Soutb-Carolina.
The Savannah Republican, Mr. Cobb & Ourselves.
The Republican in attempting to shift the
burden from its shoulders, and the odium from
Mr. Cobb’s character, which our article last
week fixed upon both, has resorted to a most
lame and impotent subterfuge.—Now, we have
nothing to do with the discussion of the late
editor of the Federal Union with the Republican;
we are responsible for no other position than
that assumed by ourselves. We replied to the
Republican’s article accusing Gov. McDonald
vvjth having caused the Central Bank bills to de
preciate. (We wish the Republican to under
stand, however that we do not admit that Gov.
McDonald had anything to do with the deprecia
tion of the Central Bank money. It was Geo.
W. Crawford’s report and the course of just such
: Whig presses as the Republican, that produced
; the panic that caused the bills of the Bank to
i depreciate.) We charged in our article last
■ week, Mr. Cobb with having suffered execu
tions against himself to be returned to the Bank,
i ‘no property,’ and assigned that as one among the
- causes that depressed the Bank. The Republi
r can answers our article by saying that we charge
Mr. Colib with being a “ poor-mans and there
■ fore Unfit to be Governor of Georgia. We made
t no such charge. We would not thus falsify the
r truth,-and give our opponents a weapon to use
t against us. Poverty is no crime. But how ab
-1 surd and ridiculous in the Republican to say that
a Mr. Cobb is a “poor man!” The crime lies in his
e not being a “poor man. 1 and yet a debtor to the
:. Bank. The idea of Howell Cobb, a man who
t has had his fingers in the public crib foC six or
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1851.
eight years, living oh the fat ot the land, a “poor
man,” and unable to pay his just debts! how su
premely ridculous! The Republican says oitr as
sertion is the only proof against Mr. Cobb’s in
debtednegss to the Bank. We say, the execu
tions returned “no property” is the argument,
and we defy the Republican to prove to the
people of Georgia that the argument is not valid.
It woht do, Mr. Republican, to attempt to
make capital by anpealingto the sympathies of
the people in behalf of Mr. Cobb’s “ poverty
The people know too much about that sixteen
dollars a day.
The speculation is a bad one, Mr. Republican,
as much so as a certain Jack one, that we wot
off.— Federal Union.
[From the Montgomery Advertiser.]
Public Meettng.
At a meeting of a number of Cotton Planters
in Beat No 10, in Macon county, took place at
Union Springs, on Saturday, the 6th September,
inst., when Dr. N. B. Powell was called to the
chair, and William H. Waugh, appointed sec
retary.
The object of the meeting was ably expalined
by Homer Blackman, Esq., after which the chair
man, in a short but expressive address, showed
clearly the position of the Southern planting in
terest, and the necessity of general and. united
action by the Southern people in taking their
own interest into their own hands. On motion,
a committee of five were chosen, consisting of
Wm. H. Waugh, R. H. Powell, Homer Black
man,Lenoir Laseter,and Daniel Cole, to draw up
resolutions expressive of the views of the meet
ing, who after retiring a few minutes, offered the
follovying premable and resolutions which were
unanimously adopted:
PREAMBLE.
Whercas, statements are said already to have
gone abrord declaring that the cotton crop of
1851, in the United States, will exceed three
miliionsfof bales, and as such reports are not
founded on fact, but are calculated to injure the
planting interest by depressing the price of their
staple commodity,and we believing that the crop
will be a short one, deem it important, that we
procure correct information in relation to its
extent, and therefore offer the following resolu
tions: ,
Resolved, That a committee of eight be appoin
ted by this meeting, whose duty it shall be to ex
amine each planter’s crop in this Beat, and to
report to a meeting to he held at this place on
Saturday, the 20th September inst., and from
thence to send delegates to a county meeting to
be held in Tuskegce on the first Monday in Oc
tober next.
Resolved, That we recommend the appointing
of similar committees in each Beat- in this coun
ty, and indeed in each neighborhood throughout
the entire cotton growing States, so that reliable
information may be obtained in relation to the
extent of the crop.
Resolved, That as the price of cotton is regu
lated by the production and consumption, it is
all-important to the grower that the article be
brought into as general use as possible, we there
fore recommend to the planters that they use it
in every way that it can be substituted for any
thing else.
Resolved, That we recommend to the planters
generally that they withdraw a portion of their
capital from theproduetion of cotton and invest
it in manufacturing and other channels of busi
ness.
Resolved, That inasmuch as union and concert
of action is the great source of success, we most
heartily approve of the Planters’ Convention to
be held in the city of Macon, Georgia, on the
27th of October next, and recommend to our
county meeting in Tuskegee that they send dele
gates to that convention.
After the adoption of the above resolutions ; the
following gentlemen were appointed a committee
to visit crops in the Beat and report as above:
Benjamin Thompson, Daniel Cole, Job. Thomp
son, L. Johnson, H. Green and John 11. Perry,
whose field of observation is all the crops in this
Beat west of Bubihatchie creek to the Beat line,
and north of the township line. J. L. Moultrie,
T. V. Rutherford, R. 11. Powell, H. Randle, S.
Vahna and H. Blackman, whose field of observa
tion is all the crops in this Beat east of the Cubi
hatchie creek, and north of the Township line.
D. B. Williams, Wm. G. Porter, D. Hooks, J.
Glasgow, L. H. Smith and H. J. Denson, whose
field ot observation is the south part of the Beat
from the Township line.
Several interesting speeches were made by
Judge Pearce, Col. Lawson, R. Powell, and oth
ers, when it was
Resolved, That as all planters are interested in
this movement, this meeting would earnestly
urge that they co-operate with and bring all the
information they possess to the knowledge of the
committee as to the situation of the present crop,
with all other agricultural statistics.
On motion, it was further
Resolved, That as it is necessary that the ac
tion should be geueral in this matter, in order
that good may result from it, that the Secretary
he instructed to forward this to the Tuskegee
and Montgomery papers for publication, with a
request that all papers in the cotton making
States, friendly to the object of this meeting, give
publicity to the same. The meeting then ad
journed to meet again on Saturday the 20th inst.
N. B. POWELL, Ch’mn.
Wm. H. Waugh, Scc'y. - •
How much there is in the power of a single
felicitous word in poetry toward making a per
fect picture to the mind of the reader! It often
invests an inanimate object with almost actual
life, and makes the landscape a sentient thing.
Here are a few lines that live in our memory—
from Poctor, Barry Cornwall, if we mistake not
—which are eminently in illustration of this.
The poet is sitting at night fall upon a green
meadow bank, with his little daughter by his
side, looking at the setting sun and the twilight
exhalations colored by its evening beams:
“Here will we sit,
The while the sun goes down the glowing west,
And drink the balmy air
Exhaling from the meadows, the nectarious
breath
Which earth sends upward when her lord, the sun
Kisses the earth at parting.”
There is action as well as vitality in this beau
tiful simile. Shakspeare paints similarly when
he says:
“How soft the moonlight sleeps upon yon hank!”
Now suppose he had written “rests upon yon
hank,” how tame in comparison would the word
have been; and yet it would be equally “correct.”
What is it that gives to the following lines
from Campbell’s “Battle of Hohenlinden” its al
most terrific force,hut a single word!
“Far flashed the red artillery 1”
The little word of one syllable sets the distant
horfzen all a" glow with the bursting flames from
the deep-mouthed ordnance. Wherefore, ye
minor bardlings, look to your accessories!
The Prospect.— We have received over twen
ty letters since our last issue, from various parts
of the State, all giving good news, and bidding us
he of good cheer. The skies are bright; stand to
your colors, State Rights men. —Federal Union,
16/4 inst.
We hear much complaint of the army and boll
worm in this region. It is said that the catter
piller has appeared to a great extent on the
plantations adjoining Pinckneyville.— Woodyille,
(Miss.) Republican, 9th inst.
AUGUSTA, GA.
THURSDAY MORNING, SEPT. 18.
Mr. Paulding's Letter.
It is with pride that we can point to the Hon.
J. K. Pauldiug as a great spirit, rising far above
the influences of fanaticism, prejudice and party,
to see our Constitution, as it is, bathed in the
pure light of ’76.
See the letter of this gentleman, venerable in
years and eminent in letters and as a statesman,
which will be found in another column. Read
this letter, people of Georgia, and say if you can
resist the impulses of esteem, and even affection,
which will arise in your bosoms towards him.
Where does he live? In a slave State? No.
He is a Northern man by birth, and New York
is Iris home.
What has Mr. Paulding to gain at home by
such sentiments as his letter contains ? Seward
and Fish, Duer and Fillmofe, Webster, Win
throp, Cass and Van Buren, in the Northern
States, have been brought down beneath the in
fluence of anti-slavery fanaticism, with all their
intellectual greatness.
Paulding towers above them all, resplendent
in heroic patriotism, and a noble adherence to a
Constitution of eqmlity and justice. He has the
boldness and generous firmness to declare to his
people and the world, that the late Compromise,
as it is called, violates State equality —attacks the
rights, interests, safety and happiness of the peo
p e of the slayaholding States, with accompanied
“ insult and obloquy,” and that it is only a pre
tended, concession to the South.
If Mr. Cobh, Mr. Toombs, or Mr. Stephens,
were to meet Mr. Paulding in public discussion
in the State of Georgia, they would denounce
him as a disunionist, and tell him that the Com
promise is fair, liberal and just! ! They would
pour invective upon him, ami follow his track with
denunciations.
People of Geoigia, we ask you: we ask you,
friends and fellow-citizens of the Constitutional
Union party, whai would you say to Mr. Pauld
ing, and how would you treat him ? You would
say: “My friend, I thank you—l thank you
from my inmost soul.” You would follow him
to praise him. Your smiles, your hospitalities
would be his, and every grasp of his hand would
be one of coidiality and friendship.
We did not purpose, in the outset, to criticise,
in detail, this able and powerful letter of Mr.
Paulding’s. On the subjects of the intentions
and purposes of the North, the right of secession,
and the duty of the South, he writes like a true
American statesman and a true lover of liberty and
a CONSTITUTIONAL Union.
We thank Mr. Paulding for his noble and pa
triotic sentiments. We thank him for thus pre
senting the South an I her rights fairly before his
people. He is a bright, would that he could be
the guiding star of the North. The Union could
not be in danger then, for its justice and benefi
cence would secure the love and devotion of all
the f itizens of all the States composing it.
OP* The New York Tribune discourses thus
to its forty thousand subscribers :
“If this (Fugitive Slave) law cannot presently
be re|)caied, there is so much the greater need
of rendering it detested and infamous, so that no
one can be found base enough to enforce it who
would not be the hangman of his brother for a
dollar—so that freemen shall loathe it and slave
holders be ashamed of it. Such, as we read, is
the moral of the late Buffalo atrocity.”
Thus it will be seen that if the law should not
be repealed, it must be made so detestable and in
famous, in the eves of the people of the North,
that no one can be found to enforce it. Our Con
stitutional Union leaders will be perfectly satis
fied if it is only suffered to remain on the statute
book. All that they ask is, that it shall not be re
pealed. That will do for them, if a slave is not re
covered under it in half a century. What accom
modating gentlemen 1 How easily their souls
are satisfied about the protection of the South 1
They can be saints in the political church of the
South, if the law is only not repealed I
Astounding 1!
Gen. Millson, one of the Representatives in
Congress from the State of Virginia, in a letter
to the Editors of the Norfolk Herald, dated Aug.
1-lth, 1851, said:
“It may surprise you to learn that out of the
whole number of Northern and Southern repre
sentatives, only about twenty-seven voted for all
the so-called compromise measures—and of these
twenty-seven, but three were from the South.”
What a great compromise 1 How very fair,
liberal and just 1!
Millard Fillmore.
The New York Tribune, alluding to Mr. Fill
more’s professions about carrying out the fugitive
slave law, reminds him, in the following man
ner, of his having given a runaway negro money
to aid him to get off from his master.
“ The Constitution is not altered sinee Millard
Fillmore gave Milton Clark money to aid him in
his flight from slavery , and we heartily approve
the deed.”
Mr. Oobb, the Civil War Candidate.
Mr. Cobb says, if a State secedes from the
Union, the other States will have a right to force
her back into the Union. Os course, then, civil
war ivould follow. Gov. McDonald says, if the
State sees proper to secede, she has the right
peaceably to withdraw.
Mr. Cobb’s doctrine would lead to civil war.
Gov. McDonald’s would avoid it. Whose doc
trine is the best ?
0 5“„ A Southern Rights meeting, recently held
in Macon, adopted the following just and patriot
ic regolutit^b^<o|Jjj^jgfcjpp|i^^pjpppf(ysi
“ Resolved, That the Proclamation of Presi
dent Fillmore, issued in April last, in which he
denounces the brave men engaged in aiding the
Cuban Patriots, as “ Plunderers ” and “ Rod
ders,” is anti-republican—unworthy of_ the
American character—and that it meets w-ith the
just indignation of a majority of the people of
this country, and of the intelligent and liberal
minded throughout the world.”
The U. S. Mam Steamship Atlantic left
New York at noon on Saturday for Liverpool,
with 64 passengers, among whom are the Hon.
I Robert J. Walker, ex-Secretary of the Treasury,
NEW SERIES —VOL. VI. NO. 112
and Miss Frederika Bremer. The Atlantic takes
out $288,400 in specie.
[Telegraphed for the Baltimore Suit.]
Further per Steamer Pacific.
New Y"ork, Sept. 12, 9 P. M.
The steamship Pacific, with Liverpool dates
of the 3d. has arrived. She brings a large freight
ot fine goods, and 192 passengers, among whom
are Miss Catharine Hays, and Hackett, the come-.
dian.
Authentic information has been received of
the discovery of gold in great profusion at Bath
urst, South Wales. The colony was in a state
of great excitement, and the people were flock
ing to the locality in great numbers.
The yacht America has been sold to Capt. De
Blaguire, of the Indian army, for £7,000. The
builder returns with orders for three yachts for
English gentlemen.' Many English yachts are
being lengthened and otherwise Americanized.
Hobbs’s success in picking the Bramah lock
has created great excitement among the bankers,
and Bramah refuses to pay the £2OO reward of
fered.
The Duke and Duchess of. Norfolk have be
come converts to Protestantism.
France. —Votes in favor of a revision of the
constitution come in from all sides.
The Lyons court martial has found 36 of the
prisoners guilty, and they have been variously
sentenced to transportation, fines and imprison
ment.
The Prince de Joinville has declined either to
offer himself as a candidate for the Presidency or
to withdraw from the field.
Austria.— The Emperor has issued a procla
mation, stating that Austria will he governed
absolutely.
Natles —The King has repudiated the new
constitution.
Turkey.— lt is stated that Ali Pasha has ad
dressed the Austrian Ambassador a written as
surance that the Sublime Porte will not liberate
the Hungarian lefugees before the Ist of January
next. It is also reported, in contradiction, that
the government has officially notified the refu
gees that an American steam vessel is at their
service to carry them to the United States on
the Ist of September.
Markets. —The cotton market has been less
animated since the Niagara sailed, prices closing
rather in favor of buyers, without any quotable
change. Some circulars quote a decline of Jd.
Sales of the four days 22,000 bales, of which
s|ieculators took 1,200 and exporters 3,000 bales.
The stock at Liverpool is 647,000 hales, being
11,000 less than estimated. Trade in Manches
ter is quiet and prices lower.
Breadstuff's are greatly depressed, and difficulty
experienced in marking sales. Flour declined
6d a Is. and wheat Id. a 2d. Corn is in limited
demand and lower.
Prices of Provisions are merely nominal. Beef
Bacon and Pork are dull. Lard has advanced to
48s. 6d.
Sugar is more active, at full sales. Coffee is
neglected, and prices favor buyers. Tea and Mo
lasses are unchanged. Rice is in limited demand,
and prices favor buyers.
The London stock market has improved. Con
sols have advanced }. Railway stocks have im
proved. Foreign stocks continue dull.
(Telegraphed to the Baltimore Sun.)
Philadelphia, Sent. 14, 10 P. M.— The of
ficers of.the United States, composed of the Uni
ted States marshal, District Attorney Ashmede,
and Commissioner Ingraham, who went up yes
terday to investigate, at Christiana, Lancaster
county, Pa., in reference to the recent terrible
outrage perpetrated there by the negroes, have
thus far made twenty-four arrests, besides the
thirteen previously arrested. The officers were
accompanied by about forty other gentlemen.
Those arrested were mostly colored persons.
Several guns, dirks, &c., were found: some of the
guns heavily loaded.
Much excitement prevails. Young Gorsuch
was still alive at last accounts, though but little
hope was entertained of his recovery. It ap
pears, from the testimony, that about 100 colored
persons were engaged in the riot, who (were
more or less implicated in the resistance The
firing commenced from the house after blowing
a horn, and a large number came up, mostly arm
ed.
The evidence is very strong against some of
the prisoners.
Joseph Scarlet, a white man, and Wm. Brown,
colored, have been committed on the charge of
high treason. Several prisoners were subsequent
ly released, and others detained for further inves
tigation.
SECOND DISPATCH.
Philadelphia, Sept. 14,10J.P. M.
The officers have just returned from Lancas
ter county, having in custody ten of the party
arrested—seven of whom were committed to
prison on a charge of treason. Three are de
tained as witnesses. They are all colored ex
cept Joseph Scarlet. A great crowd of negroes
was at the depot when they arrived, but no dis
turbance took place. The prisoners were march
ed off to prison, guarded by the U. S. Marines.
[Telegraphedfor the Charleston Courier.)
New-Orleans, Sept. 16, 8.30 P.M.
The Europa’s advices have been received,
2200 bales of Cotton were sold at a decline of a
quarter of a cent. Middling was' worth B|c.
Flour was firmer, and St. Louis was quoted at
$3,75. Mess Pork commands slG|. •
Columbia, Sept. 1G—8.7. P. M.
The market is inative to-day, but no decline
in price took place. The supply is short. Thir
ty-four bales were sold, at from 83 to 9Jo.
The Southern Right’s Ticket. — Vie take
pleasure in announcing the name of A. C. More
house, Esq., as the Southern Rights candidate for
the House of Representatives to fill the vacan
cy occasioned by the resignation of Col. James
Dean. As Col. Dean was prevented, by private
engagements, from accepting the nomination so
handsomely tendered him by his friends, it is
matter of sincere congratulation that his place
has been filled by one every way so worthy and
so generally acceptable to his party as Mr. More
house. With Atkinsonand Morehouse, we have
no fears for Bibb. As consistent, reliable and
devoted Southern Rights men, we present their
names as worthy candidates, for the suffrages of
our fellow citizens of Bibb, with the confident
hope and belief that they will be elected by a
handsome majority.— Macon Telegraph, lslh
inst.
Southern Rights Nominations. —The Sou
thern Rights meu of Jones have nominated, by
acclamation. Dr. Joseph L. Holland as a candi
date for the House of Representative,in the next
Legislature.
The same party have nominated E. J. Gil
bert, Esq., of Wilkinson, as a candidate for the
House from that county. These are excellent
nominations, and we have po doub‘ our 'friends
in Jones and Wilkinson will put these gentle
men through by handsome majorities.—/*.
* The 'Geographical Centre of the United
States, at the present time, is in the Indian ter
ritory, 120 miles west of Missouri. Hie present
centre of our representative population, yi Inch is
constantly moving westward, is ascertained by
actual calculation, to be just about the city of Co
lumbus, Ohio.
sij ■ jllagnriit Wtppli.
Reported for the Constitutionalist Ac Republic.
ADDITIONAL FROM EUROPE.
Charleston, Sept. 17.
Ledru Rolin and one hundred and 1 wenty oth
ers,’ have been arrested for conspiracy.
Prince Joinville lias been officially announced
as a candidate for the Presidency.
Affairs in Italy wear a threatening aspect.
The French squadron in the Mediterranean has
been ordered to the Italian coast.
The decree of the Emperor of Austria, pro
claiming absolutism, has created quite an excite
ment in Austria and throughont Europe.
Sept. 16.
Cotton. —The market is unsettled, and the
sales small. jMte
Sept. 17.
Cotton.—The market with sales of
300 bales.
The Free Soilers of Massachusetts have nomi
nated Palfrey for Governor.
At Philadelphia, Hall, the fugitive slave, had
a hearing before Commissioner Ingraham to-day,
and was remanded to his owner.
Our Railroad.
We are happy to be authorized to say that the
Cars on this road from Milledgeville to Gor
don, will be running by the 25th of October, in
time to carry to Macon all who may desire to at
tend the Agricultural Fair, from this and the sur
rounding country. We presume as many as can
will prefer to leave horses and carriages here,
rather than go with them to Macon, as there can
be hodoubt that the extraordinary assemblage of
that occasion will render the riddances of equip
page, &c. as necessary as it will be convenient.
At least 1000 people should go from this point and
from the various adjacent counties to the great
Southern Agricultural Exhibition.— Milledgeville
Recorder, 16 th inst.
Thunder Storm.
We experienced in this place on Sunday night
last, one ot the most severe storms of thunder
and lightning, accompanied with rain, we have
had for a long time. For some time past we
have been suffering from excessively warm and
dry weather. The late rain, with the discharge
of the accumulated electricity, has sinceiendered
it much more pleasant, the weather now presen
ting the appearance of approaching Fall.— lb.
The Portable Fire Anhihilator. Two
of these machines have been procured by
the city authorities, from Mr. Philips, in Eng
land, for the purpose of testing their ability in
extinguishing fire. They were brought to this
country by Mr. Lovell of this city, on his return
from Liverpool.
The smallest of these machines, was put into
operation yesterday, at, the foundry ot A. N.
Miller, Esq.,, under very unfavorable circum
trees, bul th** •exp*'*>•*• »w* who uuiiwlm.+olJ —her
those wte witnessed it. We understand that
the large machine will be tested shortly, on a
building to be prepared for that purpose
These maehiues are represented to cost but
little—the two, with materials for a number of
charges can be purchased for less than a hun
dred dollars.— Sav. Journal, 13/4 inst.
The brig Palo Alto, Cap. Wood, from Mariel,
(Cuba,) which place she left on the 9th inst.,
bound to Baltimore, with a cargo of Molasses,
Eut into this port yesterday, having been struck
y lightning on the 12th inst., in a heavy squall.
She will have to undergo repairs here, her main
mast having been considerably injured.
By this arrival we have no later intelligence
than has been published previously, every thing
being quiet in Mariel when the Palo Alto sailed.
—Savannah Republican, 17/4 but.
Arrival of thf. Florida.—This fine vessel
arrived at her wharf yesterday morning, in 61
hours from New York, bringing 126 cabin and 98
steerage passengers, and a lull freight.— lb.
Tomatoe Whisky.—A citizen of Norfolk has,
during the present season, made the experiment,
and succeeded in distilling a quantity of spirits
from tomatoes. It is of the most delicate find
pleasant flavor, superior to, hut strongly resem
bling in taste the finest Scotch Whisky.
Black Freedom.
A writer in the N. Y. Observer, a religious pa
per of immense circulation, draws attention to
the very remarkable fact, that idiocy and insani
ty prevail to a much greater extent among the
free blacks than among the whites or the slaves.
The calculations were made on the census of
1840. The tables of 1850 are not yet published,
but some of the returns have been ascertained
sufficiently to confirm the results obtained from
those of 1840, That result was, in general, that
the proportion of insane and idiots to the whole
colored population is greatest in the free States;
freater in the more notherly than the central
tales; and that it is smallest in the slavehold
ing States, and, those States, smallest in the most
southern. In Maine, one out of every 14 per
sons of African descent is either idiot or insane j#
in Vermont, 1 in every 56; in New Hampshire,
1 in every 28; in Connecticut, 1 in 185; in New-
Y ork, 1 in 257: in Pennsylvania, 1' jn 256:’
whereas, in the border slave State of Maryland
the proportion is 1 in 1,074; in Kentucky, 1 in
1,053; in Virginia, 1 in 1,309; in Georgia, it is 1
in 2,117; in South Carolina, 1 in 2,440; and in
Louisiana, l in 4,310.
T he general deduct ion is, that the want of sense
and reason isa rare visitation among slaves,com
pared to what it is among the free blacks. The f
contract between Ohio aud Kentucky is
able. Contiguous States, nearly of the samj”
age as States, one containing a large number,#;;
slaves and a free colored population mixed wiU6*
them, and the other a large free colored popwikf'"'
tion alone, the tables show that for every insgSjsh'
or idiotic negro in Kentucky there are ten , to
O hio - , • '
These details furnish materials for ample specu
lation to the physiologist, the moralist and t e
statesman. They touch the S reat .
which philanthropists, not ranting enthusijgjs r
reckless theorists, hut sound and
kers, study with painful solicitwe. the
destiny of this race, morally ami pnvsicquy , in
any state but that of slavery? I„ fanjpry,
all the evidence goes to show that has
been to then, mora y and php.ca curse
instead of a blessing; that it has degnu
of elevating them socially, weakened t%ir physi
cal powers, aud wasted,their energy vp a race.
On this continent withsociety as now organized,
every slave liberated is one more added.f» a mass
of inevitable suffering and predcstinudMecay—a
fadt which dev elopes itself more and nqpre strong
ly every day.
Jackass Skins.—Among the cargo brought by
the Norwegain. schooner Veranda, arrived at
New York from the Rio Grande, were two hun
dred and eight jackass skins; which are entered
by that name on the oiaiulest. This is not a
commodity which we remember to have seen be
fore in the list of importations.