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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST.
~JAMES GARDNER, JR.
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—m
(From the Baltimore Clipper .)
Farther per Steamer Baltic-
New York, Feb. 20, p. m.
lit'lhe American steamer Baltic, arrived here
at noon to-day. She brings Liverpool dates
to the Bth inst.
The steamer Baltic sailed on the Bth at 2
o'clock, p. m.
The steamer Cambria sailed from Cork on
the 4th, with the freight of the Atlantic.
The political news is without general inter
est.
The English and general Continental news
possesses very little interest.
France. — The committee of the Assembly
have resolved nem con, that M. Marquin may
be arrested for debt.
In the French Assembly, on Monday, the
Minister of Finance submitted, in a short
speeeb, a proposition for an extraordinary cre
dit of 1,800,000 francs to meet the Presi
dent’s expenses of representation during the
year 1851. The Minister's speech was received
with satirical remarks from the members of
the Mountain, and with coolness by the mem
bers of the right.
Letters from Cherbourge state that 200 mer
chantmen have been driven into that harbor
by stress of weather.
Admiral Montique’s division will sail for
Pernambuco and Rio de Janeiro—it is now
weather bound. On the demand of the French
Government, M. Felix Fyal has been expelled
from Switzerland.
The rivers Loire and Warende have over
tlooded their banks at Nevers and Orleans.
In the Moniteur, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs protests in contradiction of certain ru
mors, that no changes have been made among
the functionaries of the department.
On Wednesday night the National Assem
bly divided on M. Joser's free trade motion.
The Chambers were for the motion 251, and
against it 389.
General Rulheiers met with a serious acci
dent in descending the stair case of the Culle
des Pyramids on Saturday. Having made a
false step, he fell and ruptured the tendon
unting the knee cap to the leg. He then fell
on his head and became insensible.
Schleswig Holstein.— The Federal Com
missioners have left Hamburg for Keil, where
they will publish a proclamation. Count Re
venyion is to follow.
The Stadtholders of Holstein have resigned
in favor of the new Provisional Government.
In their proclamation they state that the Ger
manic confederation intends to protect the es
tablished relations between Schleswig and
Holstein.
Hesse Cassbl. —The officers who resigned
their commission during the late crisis, will
be tried by a Court Martial of Bavarian offi
cers. It is stated at the Cassel that a Military
Convention had been coneluded between the
Governments of Austria and Hesse, accepting
to this treaty. The Hessian troops will pro
ceed to Bohemia, and the cities of Hesse will
receive Austrian garrisons.
Prussia.— Baron Montaffel, the Premier,
intends repairing to Dresden, on or before the
15th inst. He will then have an interview
with the Premier of Austria.
In its sittings of the 3rd inst., the lower
house voted against paragraph thirty of the
Government refunding the loan on the respon
sibility of the Ministers. The vote against
the paragraph was 182, for it 115.
Awstria. —A further reduction of the army
is in contemplation. This will razee the sol
diers here to 150,000.
Vienna.—A correspondence of the 29th ult.
states that the encroachment of military pow
er has had a crisis.
The Vienna conspiracy is determined in its
purpose and extended in its ramifications. —
Part of the garrison of Vienna had been mis
led. The 4th of March has been fixed for a
general outbreak. Seventy persons, students
citizens, and officers on half pay, have been
arrested. Three battalions of the garrison of
Vienna have been sent to the provinces, and
rewards there have been offered for the appre
hension of those persons who attempted to
mislead the soldiers. The Austrian papers will
not be allowed to notice these facts.
Algermine Zeuitung says that Prince Scha
ritzsuburg is preparing to proceed to Dresden.
The Markets. —Cotton has further declined
id. The sales of the week are 23,350 bales.—
Fair Orleans 7s; Mobile 74 ; fair Uplands 7|.
The market closed firmer than it had been
during the week.
Money Market. —The Money market is
easy. Consols closed at 964 a 96|.
A better demand existsgfor American stocks
—U.S. 6’s, 1868, 108 a 108|, Pa. s’s 84 a 86.
Md. s’s 894 a 90.
Freights are belter,
Markets.
Liverpool, Feb. 7, 1851.—We have to re
port another dull week in Cotton, with a fur
ther decline in American descriptions of i a
id. per lb M arising in a degree from the anxie
ty of holders to realize. The market has never
recovered from the disappointment caused by
the error in the stock at the end of the year,
and the tendency has since been steadily
downward, until a decline of | a Jd. per lb.
on the rates current on the first of January
last, has been fully established.
Fair Orleans are quoted at 7fair Mobile,
74; fair Uplands, 7|; Middling, 7 a 7id. per
lb.; Inferior and Ordinary, 6i a 7d. per lb. The
demand for Yarns and Goods in Manchester
has partaken of the dull feeling of this market,
the transactions being extremely limited and
prices irregular.
The sales of Cotton for the week are 28,350
bales, of which speculators have taken 1,420
and exporters 1,010 bales.
The stock of Cotton in this port is estimat
ed at 450,000 bales, of which 264,000 are
Amerioan, against a total stock at this period
of last year of $504,000 bales, of which 318,000
were American.
The Corn market has been even more than
usually dull, and the sales confined to imme
diate wants at rather easier rates. Western
Canal Flour being nominally quoted at 20s. a
nl 21s. 6d.; Philadelphia and Baltimore 235.;
Ohio 225. a 223. 6d ; Canada 21s. a 225., and
Sour 18s. 9d. a 20s. per bbl. White Indian
Cora 32ss Ye|low 30s. Bd. a 31s.
[Brown, Shipley % Co’s Circular.
HKjkjjSji,
The McDonough Estate.— The case of the
States otLouisana and Maryland vs. the Ex
ecutors of John McDonough, came up for trial
on the 10th inst., at New Orleana, before
Judge Buchanan. , . , ,
It appeared in eyidenoe, and exe-.ted a food
deal of surpris in Court, that the gross ray
enue of the estate per annum was only $38,-
000, subject to a deduction of twenty per cent
for expenses of collection. It was supposed
that the income of Mr. McDoncgh was about
$200,000 per year. The object of the testi
mony was to show the impracticable and il
legal nature of the bequest, as with so small a
revenue, it would require some two or three
hundred years to pay the annuities, as well
as for the legacies in favor of the cities of N.
Orleans and Baltimore to take effect. Mean
while,the revenue, being invested in property
at compound interest, would absorb all the
property in the State of Louisiana.
A despatch from New Orleans says “In
the, case of the State of Louisiana vs. the City
of New Orleans, with reference to the Mc-
Donogh estate, the court has decided in favor
of the claims of the city.
Thirty-First Congress—Second Session
Washington, Feb. 19, 1851.
SENATE.
Afrer petitions and reports.
Mr. Ewing from the Finance Committee,
reported back the bill to establish a mint in
Colifornia.
Mr. Bradbury reported from the Committee
on the Judiciary, adversely on the subject
of a repeal or modification of the Fugitive
slave law.
Mr. Mason reported a bill to pay the own
ers and masters of the Amistad Schooner.
Mr. Hamlin reported a bill prohibiting trade
by American vessels between Brazil and the
Coast of Africa.
A motion to go into Executive session was
debated and rejected.
A bill granting land to Florida to make
a Railroad in that State was referred to the
Committee on Commerce.
The Cheap Postage bill was then taken up.
Amendments to the substitute reducing the
rates of postage on weekly papers within the
distance ot 50 miles, from five cents per quar
ter tojthree cents, and to allow weekly papers
to circulate Iree of postage within the counties
in which they may be published, were deba
ted —each receiving twenty votes.
After an executive session, the Senate ad
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. Stanton, of Tennessee, from the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs, reported a bill au
thorizing a contract to be entered into with
Mr. Thompson, of Philadelphia, to construct
two lines of mail war-steamers, said vessels
to ply between San Francisco and the Sand
wich Islands, and ports of China; and from
Philadelphia and Norfolk, to Antwerp and
other ports of Europe. He moved to refer it
to the Committee of the Whole on the state
of the Union. A motion to lay the bill on
the table was disagreed to —Yeas 68, Nays 91.
Mr. McLane opposed the bill, taking the
ground that the proposition was one to ena
ble the contractor to monopolize trade with
the aid of the Government.
The morning hour expired before the ques
tion was taken.
And the House in the Committee of the
Whole on the state ofjthe Union,proceeded to
the consideration of the Senate’s amendments
to the Deficiency bill. These were subse
quently agreed to.
The West Point Military Academy bill was
takenjup in Committee, but not disposed of
and the House adjourned a few minutes past
four o'clock.
__ f
Washington, Feb. 20, 1851.
SENATE.
Mr. Underwood, presented a petition from
the mayor and authorities of Georgetown, set
ting forth the alarming increase of free negroes
in that town; the evils resulting from such a
degraded and mischievous population, and
asking Congress to take measures for their
deportation to Africa.
Mr. Dickinson presented a similar petition
from the authorities of Brooklyn, New- York.
Messrs. Seward and Cooper presented pe
tetions for a repeal of the fugitive slave law.
A bill granting land to Missouri to aid in
the construction of a railroad from St. Louis
to the western limits of that State, waß called
up by Mr. Atchison, and, after debate, the
same was ordered to be engrossed for a third
reading.
The House amendment to the deficiency bill
was concurred in.
The military academy and pension appro
priation bills from the House were referred.
Mr. Turney called up the bill allowing the
East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Com
pany four years to pay the duties on railroad
iron imported by the company; and after de
bate, the bill was laid on the table.
The consideration of the bill for the reduc
tion of postage was again resumed.
An amendment proposed by Mr. Soule, re
quiring that all contracts tor carrying the mail
through foreign countries shall be for four
years, by the cheapest and nearest route, was
adopted.
Mr. Miller moved to amend the substitute
by making it conform to the bill as it came
from the House, charging three cents only on
letters, whether pre-paid or not. Lost—lo
ayes only.
Mr. Bradbury moved an amendment abol
ishing the franking privilege of members of
Congress after Dec. Ist, 1851.
Messrs. Jefferson Davis, Hamlin, Bradbury
and Hale, advocated the amendment, and
Messrs. Rusk, Dayton, Downs and Pearce, op
posed, and it was rejected—yeas 13, nays 31.
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. Stanton, of Tennessee, from the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs, reported a bill pro
viding for an increase of an efficiency of the
Navy, which was referred to the Committee of
the Whole, on the state of the Union.
The House resumed the consideration of
the bill reported yesterday from the Commit
tee on Naval Affjirs, to establish a line of
steamers from California to China, and one
from Norfolk to Antwerp and other ports of
Europe.
Mr. Bocock advocated the bill, and replied
to the remarks of McLean.
Mr. Miher opposed the bill, as being un
constitutional; and finally it was referred to
the Committee of the Whole on the state of
the Union—Yeas 156, nays 31.
On motion of Mr. Bayly, the House went
into a committee ol the Whole on the State of
the Union; and after a short time spent there
in, rose, when the bill for the support of the
West Point Military Aesdemy, and the bill
for the prompt payment of Revolutionary and
other pensions, were passed.
The House in committee proceeded to the
consideration of the b-11 lor the support of the
Indian Department; several amendments were
adopted; among them, one for the reorganiza
tion of the Indian Department.
Finally, this and the bill for the payment
of Navy pensions were passed. Adjourned.
Washington, Feb. 21, 1851.
SENATE.
A message was received from the Commis
sioner of Indian Affairs in response to a reso
lution of the Senate, upon the mode practised
by the Government in paying Indian annuities;
and Messrs. Ewing, Turney, Douglas and
Gwin had a discussion upon the proceedings
in the House of Representatives upon certain
resolutions of inquiry introduced in that body
by Mr. Richardson, of Illihoii.
A motion to reconsider the vote by which
the bill for the relief of the Tennessee and
Georgia Railroad Comoany, was laid on the
table, was discussed, and then postponed.
A message was then received from the Presi
dent in response to Mr. Clay’s resolution.
The President has received no official infor
mation yet in regard to the case. He repeats
the laws of the U. States which authorise the
United States marshals to hire prisons for the
confinement of persons. He also states that
the laws require proclamation before the au
thorities can call into exercise military autho
rity. He urges that this latter law be amend
ed. He declares his design to execute the
law to the utmost extent of his power.
Mr. Clay moved the message be referred to
the committee on the judiciary. He address
ed the Senate in terms denunciatory of the
conduct of those who took part in the affair
at Boston, particularly the white men under
whose instignations and inducements the de
luded negroes were urged to take these steps.
He denounced, in no very m asured terms,
the proceedings of Mr. Geo. Thomson, of
England.
Mr. Hale followed, pronouncing the procla
mation of the President an impolitic, unwise,
unnecessary, futile, idle, weak proceeding.
Mr. Clay replied, and Mr. Hale rejoined
with much warmth.
Mr. Mason contended that the law could
never be executed without a change in senti
ment of the people of the North. To sur
render up fugitive slaves was a duty required
by the constitution. Massachusetts had laws
upon her statute books which forbade the ex
ecution of the laws by her officers and citizens.
He held Massachusetts false to her federal ob
ligations.
Mr. Cass agreed with Mr. Clay. He justi
fiedjthe acts of the President, and had no fear
but he would do his duty.
afiMr. Dickinson followed,contending that the
law could and would be executed.
Mr. Clay continued the debate with Mr.
Hale.
Mr. Butler contended that the law was
worthless, as any law would be. The North
had demtermined relentless war upon the in
stitutions of the South, and no legislation
could avert the certain doom of the South.
Mr. Davis, of Mass., contended that the
affair at Boston was one of those cases which
might arise anywhere.
After further debate, the message was re
ferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
A joint resolution proposing amendments
of the Coustitution of United States, was
referred to the committee of the whole on the
sta e of the Union, and ordered to be printed.
The House then took up the paivate bills
on the Speaker’s table, several of which were
finally passed.
The House then resolved itself into a com
mittee of the whole, and the bill granting ap
propriations for the Post-office Department
was taken up.
Previous to any discussion taking place on
the bill, Mr. Bayly called the attention of the
committee to a misrepresentation in the re
port published in the Congressional Globe, of
what took place between Mr. Clarke, of New
York, and himself, a few evenings since.
[We are compelled to omit the explanation,
for want of room, which however, would not
be of much interest to the readers of the Sun.]
The rest of the day was taken up in discus
sing the bill. Mr. Potter, of Ohio, moved
amendments to strike out certain portions of
it, and determining the salaries to be paid to
officers and elerks of the Departments.
During the day a message was received
from the President of the United States, but
the House being in committee it was not re
ported.
The House committee rose, and without
passing the bill, the House adjourned.
(From the Mobile Register, 18 th inst .)
The Secession Iffoyement<
It is not to be denied that the action of the
Montgomery Convention in recommending
the secession of Alabama from the Union, for
past grievances, will meet with the decided
condemnation of at least three-fourths of our
people. There is not a county in the State in
which there can be said to be a majority in fa
vor of such a course. The counties of Dallas,
Lowndes and Montgomery are the ones in
which disaffection is most prevalent; they
alone sent anything like large delegations to
the Convention; and even there, it is well
known, that the majorities of the people are
not only opposed to secession, but have taken
no active part in favor of the other modes of
Southern resistance. But eleven counties out
of the entire number eould be induced even to
send delegates to Montgomery, and most of
them were but partially represented. The
other forty-one counties either looked with
distrust upon the movement, apprehending
that it had in view some such scheme as has
been developed, or felt an indifference towards
it, which argues a more decided and fatal op
position.
The man must be struck with “judicial
blindness” who is not aware that the proposi
tion for secession can meet with no favor in
this State. It is even questionable if a ma
jority of the people are in favor of the adop
tion of the milder measures of resistance re
commended by the Southern Rights party. —
But this party, itself, has no where, except in
one or two small county precincts, shewn any
preference for the doctrine of secession. The
great body of those known as Southern Rights
men throughout the State have addressed
themselves to other remedies and modes ot re
sistance, none of which contemplate a dis
memberment of the Union lor exis'iug grie
vances. While they have felt and denounced
the unconstitutional and dangerous aggres
sions ot the General Government, and have
apprehended that there are greater evils in the
future, they have directed their efforts to the
organization of public sentiment, and the de
velopement of measures which may protect
our institutions, and enable us to regain and
maintain our equal position iif the Confedera
cy.
This being the condition of public senti
ment in Alaiiama, is it not strange that the
Convention at Montgomery should have ven
tured to put forth such a platform as is
framed by their resolutions ? If it had been
intended as u mere declaration of individual
sentiment it would have been perfectly harm
less and scarcely worthy of notice. But it is
put forth as a Confession of Faith and a course
of policy for the great Southern Rights party
in the State. In this light it becomes as im
portant, aa its recommendations are injudi
cious and impracticable. Against it as such
we feel bound to express our most decided op
position, and we think it becomes the duty of
the true friends of the South every where to
renounce the action, and condemn its recom
mendations.
Enthusiasts and ultraists are the worst ene
mies of every cause. They take no counsel
from experience, observation, or judgment,
but, following the blind instincts of individual
excitement, rush rashly lor ward to the ac
complishment of their unreasoned purposes,
thereby bringing disaster upon themselves,’
and ridicule and ruin upon the measures they
would promote. Such we think has been the
injudieious course of the Montgomery Con
vention. It has recommended, for the adop
tion •/ the State, a measure which no reasona
ble mind can believe will meet with the ap
proval of any thing like a majority of the peo
ple,—that is, the secession of Alabama, for
past aggressions. This they attempt to make
the test and shibboleth of the Southern Rights
party. To this Procrusteam bed, as the Mont
gomery Advertiser well observes, they would
reduce or elongate all its members. Does not
every reflecting mind see that this, instead of
gaining strength to the party, would rapidly
make it “small by degress, and beautifully
less?” We know it to be the opinion of many
of the best informed men in our State, that
not five thousand voters can be found in favor
of such a proposition.
Secession is regarded by the soundest judg
ments and coolest heads in the State, —by in
deed the great mass of the people—as no reme
dy for past evils and no security against future
ones. Would it get back anything that we
have lost? Would it restore our rights in Cali
fornia, or New Mexico, or Utah? Would it
re-establish the Slave Trade in the District of
Columbia? Would it enforce the Fugitive
Slave Law, or stop fanatical discussions in
Congress, or heal any of the breaches that have
been made in the Constitution? How then,
would it give us any indemnity for the past?
As to the future, it would not increase our
securities in any respect, leaving us standing
alone, without, then, even the guaranties we
now have for the delivery of our slaves, and
all the other States incensed against us for our
parricidal dismemberment of the Confederacy.
Secession, then, is no remedy—it has not
the shape or pretence of a remedy. It is but
a desperate effort, like that of the blind Sam
son, to tear down the pillars of the Confedera
cy, that we may crush our enemies as well as
ourselves beneath the ruins.
But the impracticable nature of the Mont
gomery recommendations is shown in another
respect. They propose, as preliminary to se
cession, that the Governor shall convene the
Legislature to elect delegates to the Southern
Congress. Here also they overreach them
selves. Did not Governor Collier announce last
summer that he would not convene the Legis
lature for such a purpose, unless it were de
manded by a majority of the people, and they
may rest assured that he will not do it now.
But if the Legislature were assembled, is there
the least likelihood that there would be any
thing approaching a majority in either branch
in favor of such a preliminary step for Seces
sion?
In case the Governor declines calling an
Extra Session, the Convention advises the
people to hold an election in the Congressional
Districts, for Deiegates to the Southern Con
gress. This recourse would be moie ineffec
tual even than the other. Once let the ques
tion of secession, or no secession, go before the
people, and not a delegate in favor of a dis
memberment ot the Union for what has now
been done, could be elected from the State.
But. the Southern Congress itself is already
a failure. Georgia uttered her condemnation
of it, and any kindred scheme, last summer;
the Legislatures of North Carolina and Florida
have just adjourned, leaving propositions in
its favor to sleep the sleep of death upon their
tables; and, with the exception of South Caro
lina and Mississippi, not a single Southern
State, will approve the measure.
These truths should have all been known
to the Montgomery Convention, and convinc
ed them of the utter impracticability of their
recommend.i tions.
As so the duty of Alabama to secede in case
any other Southern State does so, we deem it
unnecessary to say any thing specially, as that
proposition is covered by the considerations
we have already presented.
Such being the unwise and impolitic nature
of the Secession Platform presented by the
Montgomery Convention, it at once becomes
the duty of the Southern Rights Associations
and other true friends of the South, to repu
diate its recommendations. Unless this i 9
done promptly, the cause and the party will
sink into a hopeless minority; more injury
will be done by such indiscreet counsels, than
could be accomplished by any other means; and
we shall lose all the saluta'y effects which
may otherwise be produced by zealous and
energetic efforts to organize against future
aggressions. Let us reject such ultra and
Quixotic schemes, and unite upon a broad,
sound, and patriotic platform upon which
all the true friends of the South,—the most
ultra as well as the moss conservative, —
can stand in firm phalanx in resistance
to any, the slightest, further aggression. To
this all can come. Unless we are so united, it
is worse than a war upon windmills, to tilt a
gainst the union by extra sessions of the Le
gislature, Southern Congresses, and the at
tempted secession of a State, four-fifths of
whose people are so obstinate as mot to coun
tenance the proposition.
(From the N . JT. Journal of Commerce .)
Cotton at Liverpool.— The following will
show the price of Cotton in Liverpool on the
31st December in each of the last ten years :
Bowed. Orleans, &c. Pernambuco.
Year. d. d. d.
1840 s£a7| 5£ a7| 84a9i
!841 4sa7 4£aß 74*8
1842 4 a6 3i|a7 6£a7±
1843 4|a6 4£a7* s|a6i
1844 ... ».3£)5 3ia64 5 a6I
1845..
1846 s|a7| 6 aߣ 7£aßi
1847 Zk&s 3£a7 s£*7
1848.. .*.3sa4s 3£a6 4|as£
1849 s£a6| s£aߣ 6£a7
1850 6|aߣ 6£a9 BJa9£
We also annex a statement of the stock on
hand at Liverpool, at the date referred to, in
each of the last five years, the average week
ly consumption in Great Britain, and the a
mount of crop in this country:
St’k at L’pool. Av’ge Consum’n. Crop in U. S.
Year. Bales. Bales. Bales.
1845.. .545,790 29.977 2,100 537
1847. ..451,940 21,269 1,778 651
1848.. 496.060 28,948 2,347,634
1849.. .557,760 30,530 2.728.896
1850.. .521,119 29,103 2,099,706
The Death of Bem.— The reported death
of Bern in Turkey is confirmed by letters from
Aleppo. Bern’s sickness was neither very
long nor painful; a month before his death he
was riding out. Some slight attacks of fever
gave him no anxiety; and he could not be
persuaded to take any medicine until three or
four days before his death. He was buiied
with military honors, a thing unusual in Tur
key. The English and French Consuls atten
ded the funeral. He was 56 years old.
American Rilled in Eurofe. —lt was men
tioned in our foreign ex'racts yesterday, that
Mr. Aldre, Secretary of U. S. Legation at
Berlin, was killed by an accident on a Prus
sian Rail-Road lately. One of the Berlin pa
pers says, that it was “ Mr. Bernard, attache
to, and a relation of the United States Minis
ter at this Court, who was proceeding home
with despatches.” This the New York Ex
press pronounces manifestly an error, and the
New York Mirror says it is Dr. Arden, and
adds:
“Dr. Arden was a citizen of New York, of
the highest moral and intellectual character.
He was travelling in Europe to perfect his
medical education, and temporarily attached
to the American Diplomatic Mission at Ber
lin. He was engaged to be married to one ot
our most accomplished ladies, a niece of Gov
ernor Fish. Dr. A. leaves a fortune of some
$200,000. — Baltimore Sun.
A Washington correspondent of the New
York Herald telegraphed as follows:
The verdict of the Court Martial upon Com
modore Jones is disclosed. He is suspended
for five years; half that time without pay,
chiefly for speculating with the public money
in California gold dust. The President ap
proves the judgment.
THE CONSTITUTIONALIST,
2Ugttota, ©eorgia.
TUESDAY MORNING. FEB. 25.
Plain Talk for the Secessionists-
The Secession Resolutions of the Alabama
Southern Rights Convention, have called forth
a plain, practical statement of the case by the
Mobile Register. It is headed, “ The Secession
Movement ,” and will be found in our columns.
What is said of public opinion in Alabama,
will apply with almost equal force to Georgia.
Secession for past grievances by the State of
Georgia, is very effectually set at rest, and is
no longer a matter of speculation.
The most ardent and the most ultra among
the Southern Rights Party of Georgia, must
admit that secession by this State for past
grievances, is “an obsolete idea." The same may
be said in reference to all the other Southern
States with the single exception of South-
Carolina. In respect to that State likewise,
the prediction may be hazarded that she
will be induced to suspend her purpose
of secession until a period when there will be
a better promise than now exists of the co
operation of some of her sister States.
The prospects of the assembling of the
Southern Congress are quite as dismal as are
here pourtrayed. In fact, that movement may
be looked upon as a complete break-down.
Should the attempt be made to organize it, it
will fail to carry with it that moral weight
which is necessary to make it useful. Its
convocation will not be called for by the voice
of a majority of the Southern people, and
therefore its suggestions will serve only still
further to show the impracticability of redress
to the South for past grievances. Men under
high excitement, who fervently wish to accom
plish a cherished purpose, are often unwil
ling to look facts which tell against them
steadily in the face. But it is gross folly to
plan and act as if the facts had no existence.
Facts are stubborn things, and whether palata
ble or not, must be respected and dealt with
accordingly.
We coincide with the Mobile Register in
looking upon the attempt of the Alabama Se
cessionists to carry that State for Secession,
as utterly Quixotic in the present state of the
question. The attempt to force all members
of the Southern Rights Party upon the Seces
sion Platform, was nothing short of intoler
ant arrogance. It was an attempt on the part of
a small minority to force the action of the great
body of the party to a course which its judg
ment repudiates.
But there are portions of the resolutions of
the Convention which contain the true spirit
of a wise forecast, and which commend them
selves to the sober judgment of the Southern
people. They are those which recommend to
the Southern States the propriety of preparing
themselves for secession from the Federal
Government in the event such a step becomes
forced upon them by further aggressions upon
their peculiar rights and interests. The con
viction may become, at the South, general and
universal, at some future time, that secession
from the Federal Union is a necessity forced
upon us by the anti-slavery spirit which per
vades the minds of a majority of the Ameri
can people, and which may shape Federal
legislation to its Abolition purposes. The
Georgia Platform specifies some of these
very contingencies. It is in this view, and
in contemplation of these results we find
much to commend in the two following re
solutions of the Alabama Southern Rights
Convention :
8. That in our opinion, a due regard for the
rights, honor and interests of the people of
this State, and each of the Southern States,
demands that they should at once “ set their
house in order” with a view to secession.
*****
15. That in order to render ourselves more
effective in sustaining these views, we will
separate ourselves from all federal party or
ganizations, and that we will cultivate the
doctrine of State reliance, and exert all the
agencies in our power, political, industrial,
•ommercial, social and educational, to pre
pare the State for that crisis which tederal
policy, perverted and distorted by the anti
slavery spirit, has forced us to contemplate.
What has been done, is done. The people
of the South, South-Carolina excepted, have
made up their minds to acquiesce in what has
been done. But in view of the probability of
their being called on to submit to, or to resist
further aggressions, they should feel strong
enough to take either course according to
what their sense of right and of self-respect
should prompt. They should not be in a con
dition to be forced against their will to sub
mit, because they may fancy themselves not
strong enough, wealthy enough, prosperous
enough, to maintain an independent exist
ence. It is evident that the Southern people
have so far too much neglected to develope
their industrial energies, their natural re
sources, and foster home enterprizes in the
various manufacturing and mechanic arts.
They have neglected to create a direct foreign
commerce, and a commercial marine, so essen
tial to give them political strength, and na
tional prosperity in a Southern Confederacy.
ILhey are not in a condition to secede now
from the Union without great detriment to all
their interests, however much they might feel
that their honor and self-respect prompted
that step.
When the time does come, as come it may,
and as many intelligent minds think, come it
must, let the Southern States be prepared for
the crisis “which federal policy perverted and
dictated by the anti-slavery spirit, has forced
us to contemplate.”
The Southern State Legislatures should so
legislate as to exert all the agencies in their
power to produce this state of preparedness.
This policy has been too long negleoted. It
is a policy which, whether in the Union or
out of it, must greatly promote Southern
prosperity.
Western and Atlantic Railroad. —We
are glad to learn (says the Charleston Mercury)
the injuries to this road by the recent
freshet, are not so great as was anticipated.
By a letter from Col. Mitchell, the President
of the Road, we are informed that he com
menced repairing damages on the 20th, and
would be able to pass trains the following day.
Sudden Death of a Worthy Citizen*
Our city was startled yesterday morning by
the intelligence of the sudden death of Mr.
Jesse Kent, one of our most worthy and re
spected citizens. He dropped suddenly, and
without the slightest premonition, in Broad
street, at about 11, A. M., in a fit of apoplexy,
and immediately expired. But a few minutes
before he was in apparently perfect health,
and was engaged in conversation with a friend
at the corner of Broad and Washington
streets. He parted with him and proceeded
towards his residence but about fifty yards
when he sank upon the pavement, to rise no
more.
This community sustains in this dispensa
tion, a severe loss, and the Methodist Church,
of which Mr. Kent was for many years a con
sistent and zealous member, a strong pillar of
support.
He proved himself a gord citizen and an
excellent man in all the relations of life. His
death will be much lamented.
Da.ma.oed Cotton. — We would call atten
tion to the sale, this day, at the Warehouse
of Messrs. Bustin & Walker, of four .hundred
and forty-four bales Cotton, damaged—sold
for account, of all concerned.
Another Despatch pr .m Kossuth. —An-
other despatch has been received at Washing
ton from friends of Kossuth in Constantinople,
who represent that all hopes of his liberation
without the intervention of the Unite! States
or England, are at an end. The despatch
comes through Gov. Ujhazy, who has trans
lated it into German and transmitted it to the
Government.
Parodi’s success in Boston is immense. On
her second night hundreds were, unable to
procure admission to the Theatre. The citi
zens of Providence have subscribed $2,500 for
one concert in that city.
The steamer Sultan, from Constantinople,
has reached London with a rich cargo of ar”
tides for the World’s Fair. It is stated
insurances to the amount of £1,200,000 have
been eff, cted in London on jewelry alone,
which is to be sent from France to the Exni
bition. •
( Telegraphed for the Charleston Courier .)
Baj.timore, Feb. 23.
Arrivals of the Steamers. —The steam ships
Ohio, Prometheus, and Cherokee, arrived at
New York to-day from Chagres.
Baltimore, Feb. 22.
Celebration of Washington's Birth Day in N.
York. —The Birth Day of Washington was
very generally celebrated in New York, on
Saturday. All business was suspended, and
a splendid illumination closed the ceremonies
of the day. Senator Foote de ivered the ora
tion.
Congressional. —President Fillmore sent a
Message to the United States Senate, on Fri
day, in which he expresses his desire that
some action should be taken in reference to
ihe infraction of the law in the city of Boston,
by the rescue of a fugitive slave, and recom
mending the sustaining of the law. On Sa*
turday, the Senate had the Military Academy
and Revolutionary Appropriation Bills under
discussion.
In the House, tae President's Message
above referredjto was read. That body pass
ed the Post Office Appropriation Bill, and
laid the Fortification Bill on the table.
General News. —The steam ship Ohio has
arrived at New-York with 126 passengers, and
200,000 dollars in gold.
There have been more arrests of those con
cerned in the rescue of the negro Shadrach in
Boston. He had reached Salem, where much
exci'.ement existed.
Baltimore. Feb. 21.
New-York Market. —Cotton has declined one
qnarter to three eighths of a cent since the ar
rival of Baltic.
Election of Senator. —Commodore Stockton
has been elected United States Senator from
New-Jersey.
Baltimore, Feb. 21.
Anticipated Duel.—A. duel is anticipated
between Mr. Stanley, of North-Carolfna, and
Mr* Inge, of Alabama, in consequence of of
fensive language used by Mr. Inge, in debate
on Wednesday. Mr. Stanley has been arrest
ed for challenging, to-day, and released for
want of proof. Mr. Inge and his friend, (Gov
Brown) are among the missing.
Washington, Feb. 22—4.37 p. m.
The President has sent a Message to the
Senate, recommending that the Executive be
authorised to call out military force to enable
him to execute the fugitive law, without a
previous proclamation ; which elicited a warm
debate ; but no question has yet been taken.
Macon, Feb. 22—8.5 p. m,
The Constitutional Union Celebration,called
in this city to-day, came well nigh being a
failure. The audience in attendance at the
Address, all told, did not exceed 75 to 80
The orator of the day, Col. Powers, among
other things, read Ritchie, Cass, Buchanan,
and Dallas, out of the Constitutional Union
He eulogized Clay and Fillmore, without
stmt or measure. He also said that Bona
parte “ was some,” but he “ went down to
the grave unwept, unhonored, and unsung ”
Only two delegates from other counties, are
said to be in attendance at the dinner, al
though letters of invitation were sent all over
the State.
Important Legral Decisiou-Tha Iflacon &
Western Rail-Road
[CORRESPOND E>CE SAVANNaH Republican ]
„ . rr T 7 Macon, Feb. 20, 1851.
J\ L Locke Co*—~
OraiiEMWi—The case of Wm. B. Parker,
Defendant U Error, ts. the Macon & Western
Rad-Road Company, Plaintiffa in Error was
decided this morning by .he Supreme Court
Parked Company, and \ gain , t Mr ‘
1" w iOD brp "« ht *>y Parker against
Sire Macon & Western Rail-Road Coimnnv
to recover payment for what he called MorN
&any The *£ °‘ d *i° ntoe
Supreme Court sustains the
Cou^pt' ll6 ° f th ? ItMd m made b, *•
U puXter y ' “ nd Pr ° teCt9 the title <*«
The Weather and the River.—We have
old So?' rain '/ ~r BeTCral past, Zt
he wolld hJT *T erday e «ning that
he would be obscured no longer bv these
fortMn y a°lf 8 h? U S ,0r r°l hU U S ht - *" d burst
tei ? aazlm £ tightness, in a mild
2 serT5 er T ?' where fire would be
b In tact ’ y eßterda y afternoon had
P e P T aJ^ CeB and feelin S of a May day.
r . ain u P° n »ver is quite
perceptable, and it is now over the “big bend”
several feet—being miles wide opposite the
city ; torty-eight hours ago it had commenced
falling but the floods of rain that have fallen
will undoubtedly carry it higher than ever.—
Montgomery Adv. t 22 d inst,