ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
T# the Constitutional Union Parly of Georgia.
The Constitutional Union Party pf Georgia was organized to maintain the decision of the Georgia Convention
of 1850, in favor of the finality of ^he Compromise. That object Las been accomplished, and the members of the
party have the satisfaction of realizing the complete triumph of their principles, as exhibited in the action of the two
National Conventions, which recently assembled at Baltimore, and in the additional fact, that there now exists in Geor¬
gia no organized opposition to thosot principles. Under these circumstances, when the late Union Convention assem¬
bled in Milledgeville, it was the opinion of a large number of that body, that the time had arrived, when there
should be a peaceful dissolution of jhe party, in consideration of the fact, that the necessity for its existence no lon¬
ger continued. A different policy, hpwever, was adopted under the delusive hope that the organization could be con¬
tinued and its integrity preserved, by the support of the democratic nominees for President and Vice President.
The convention had scarcely adjouyned, when demonstrations of opposition to its action, by the entire Union Whig
Press of the State, indicated too clearly that that portion of the party whose sentiments and feelings were made
known through these channels, was-irreconcilably opposed to the decision of the Convention, and would never yield
even an acquiescence in its action. The call for the Conventions of the 17th and 18th, and the response made to
those calls by the Union Whigs throughout the State, and in some portions of the State approximating unanimity
of sentiment among them, were well calculated to prepare the public mind for the recent action of those bodies. It can¬
not be disguised that the great mass of the whig party, have thus withdrawn themselves from the Union organiza¬
tion, and have laid the foundation for the re-organization of the whig party in our State, if indeed, that result may
not be regarded as already consummated. This state of things leaves the Constitutional Union Party in the hands
of the Union Democracy and those Union Whigs who are determined to give their votes and support to the Na¬
tional Democratic nominees. Whether there yet remains in the organization a majority or not of its original mem¬
bers, is a problem we will not attempt to solve. The mere expression of a doubt upon that point is sufficient to
justify the course we have felt it our duty to pursue in the matter.
The undersigned were appointed an Executive Committee, by the late Union Convention, and from their posi¬
tion have not been inattentive observers of the events to which we have now called the public attention ; nor have
we failed to inform ourselves, as far as was practicable, of the views and opinions of those who still remain true to
the action of the Union party. In view of these facts, and with the aid of all the lights at our command, we have
come to the deliberate conclusion that the Constitutional Union Party is virtually and practically dissolved; and
that its longer continuance would be delusive, and productive of no good.
We make no argument, and offer no comment; but submit a plain statement of facts, with an unavoidable con¬
clusion necessarily resulting from those facts.
In anticipation of this state of things, a correspondence was opened with the members of the Electoral Ticket
put forth by the late Union Convention, and we feel ourselves authorized and do hereby withdraw that ticket.
JOHN B. LAMAR,
B. H. HILL, ) •-
ARTHUR HOOD, / I I
NOEL B. KNIGHT, > ^ 1
E. H. POTTLE, t ^ |
JOHN W. OWENS, ) IS ^
GEORGE W. THOMAS. ^
RDBERT W. WOODRUFF
LIBRARY
Gift of
John W. Bonner
ADDRESS
of a Portion of the Executive Committee to the Union Democracy and Union
Whigs, friends of Pierce and King.
In common with the other-members of the Executive Committee of the Constitutional Union Party, we have
formally announced the dissolution of that party, and withdrawn its electoral ticket. This state of things presents
an important question for the consideration and decision of the Union Democracy of the State, and those Union
Whigs who stand identified with us in the support of the National Democratic Nominees. Determined to give
our support to the election of Pierce and King, and sincerely anxious so to cast our votes and exert our influence,
as will best insure, not only their success in the present election, but the effective support of their administration,
in the event of their election—a result not to he doubted—we are now called upon to consider in what manner
this can be done, most consistent with our feelings and principles. It is not for us to decide that question : our offi¬
cial character ceased with the party whose organ we had been appointed. But identified in feeling and principles
with those to whom we make this address, we feel anxious that there should be union and cordiality of action, in
whatever course may be adopted. Indeed, this is necessary to give power and efficiency to our action. To secure
the vote of Georgia to Pierce and King, over all opposition arrayed against them, is the paramount consideration.
There can be no doubt that a very decided majority of the people are agreed in the necessity and propriety of so
casting the vote of the State. But it cannot be disguised that there exist difficulties in the way of a warm and cor¬
dial co-operation of all the friends of Pierce and King, which threaten to weaken their strength, and lessen the
moral power and influence which, under other circumstances, would be attained by united action. We do not re¬
gard these difficulties as insuperable, however formidable they may appear at the first glance. They will be found
to grow smaller and less obstinate, as approached in the spirit of true patriotism and devotion to the great end
sought to be accomplished.
We now appeal to the Union Democracy and those Union Whigs, who are for Pierce and King, to meet together
in council, and there determine, in the spirit which we have sought to invoke, what ought to be, and shall be, our fu¬
ture course of policy. We suggest and propose that this meeting shall take place at Atlanta, ON SATURDAY
THE 18TH of SEPTEMBER next.
It will not be necessary to go through with the formality of county meetings. We doubt not that a sufficient
number of our friends can be assembled there at that time, from the different sections of the State, familiar with the
sentiments of the people on the subject, and as fully empowered to speak for them as they would be, if appointed
bv a county meeting, composed, as is usually the case, of a very few persons compared with the voters of the county
who favor the movement.
Bv the time that this proposed meeting shall assemble we shall know in what spirit our movements for concilia¬
tion and compromise will be received by the friends and supporters of the Electoral Ticket now in the field. It will
afford to them an opportunity of their meeting with our friends, either through the recognized organ of their party,
or otherwise, and uniting, if needs be, in a common council, to effect a common end equally desirable to all sincere
friends of the cause we are seeking to advance.
In any event, it is due to ourselves and to the success of our principles, and due to the position which we occupy
before the country, that we should come together and determine upon such a line of policy as will most cordially
unite our friends, and most centainly give advancement to our cause.
JOHN B. LAMAR,
NOEL B. KNIGHT,
ARTHUR HOOD,
E. H. POTTLE,
JOHN W. OWENS.