Resolutions from the county of Habersham presented by Mr. Keeling:

We have arrived at a point in our history when we can no longer be passive.  When Georgia entered into the Confederate alliance, she, like all her sister States, was one of the sovereigns of the earth; an independent State.  That sovereignty she has never parted with.  The alliance of union was formed for the more certain security of all the rights, of all the States, entering voluntarily into the compact.

The purpose for which the great partnership was formed, the agencies by which it was to be carried out, and the powers of the agent, (the Federal Government) were all written down in the articles of agreement, which we call the Constitution.  The agents appointed to carry out the agreement of the high contracting parties, were to be a President, a Congress, and a Supreme Court.  The powers delegated to these, were clearly set forth in the instrument.  The sovereign contracting parties retained their sovereignty, and all rights and powers not delegated by the agreement, and specified therein.  The time which this alliance was to last was unlimited, it was intended to be perpetual.  As we are not a consolidated nation, but a confederacy of sovereigns, we can only maintain our equality, and our independence by a strict and jealous maintenance of our several State and sovereign rights; and by a strict and total non-interference by any one State, with the domestic concerns of another.  This is true alike of men, of families, of neighbors, and of Governments.

A portion of the contracting parties to our union,  have not only failed and refused, to be bound by, and comply with, the agreement, on their part, but have declared an irrepressible and undying hostility to the compact of Union, and to our rights, under it, and reserved and to ourselves as a people.

We have remonstrated in the Federal Councils and out of them.  In Congress, by our State legislatures, by our State Executives, by Conventions of our people, by resolves, and through the public press, against their consent, unjust and open violation of our rights.  Their interferenee with our domestic concerns, which we at first looked upon as but the misguided fanaticism of a few has grown, and increased and strengthened, until it has reached a dictatorial usurpation, and they now arrogantly and defiantly tell us, that they have the power, and that by the force of numbers, they will compel us to submit to their violation and repudiation of the Constitution, and of our rights.

They have by their legislative assemblies enacted laws, now of force upon their statute books encouraging their people to steal our property—and to fine and imprison our citizens if they entered their States and attempt to recover their property thus stolen.

They openly, practically, and avowedly, repudiate, and refuse to be bound by the laws of Congress, the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States—or their oaths to support the Constitution.  We are to now have a Northern sectional administration to govern us, in the elevation of which to power, fifteen States of this Union has not had one single vote; and which is to be placed in power over us; by the aid of nearly 20,000  negro votes.  The constitution made to secure to us the vital and sacred right of self-government, is thus wantonly, and openly violated by elevating to the right of suffrage, and citizenship, and equality with us, a race of beings, never contemplated as citizens by the Constitution, and who, by such elevation to equality, will hereafter hold the balance of power in all Federal elections.

While we do not question the equality of this degraded race with those who place them on a level with themselves, we will never submit to their having a voice in governing us, or selecting our rulers or public servants.  A man thus selected is no officer of ours.  They have thus shown, and declared themselves, no longer bound by the contract of Union, but hostile to it, and have repudiated it, and set it a aside—excepting only that they are willing to receive from us all its advantages and benefits without being bound by its guarantee of our rights.  They have thus rendered us no longer “States United.”

A contract broken and unkept by one of the contracting parties, absolves all other parties thereto, from the engagement.

We love the Union formed by our Fathers.  We glory in the Constitution planned by their wisdom, and purchased by their valor.  We received it fresh from their hands, and as the result of an experience, a wisdom, and a patriotism, refined in the crucibles, and tried by the fires of the revolution.  They entrusted it to our keeping to be transmitted to our posterity as a bond of perpetual union.

We will not be recreant to our trust.  We will not be  unworthy and degenerate sons.  We will defend, we will protect that Constitution.  This we can only do by preventing its violation, and maintaining its guarantees, and our rights and equality under it.

When rights are violated, and the most sacred compacts disregarded and set at naught.  When the bond of our Union is declared by fanaticism to be “a league with the devil, and a covenant with death.”  When clouds lower, and dangers threaten—those who direct the ship of State should guide with a steady hand—Coolness, Calmness—firmness, should rule the hour.  As true and worthy Georgians let us keep our eyes ever fixed steadily upon our noble State motto, Wisdom, Justice, Moderation.

This degrading faithlessness on the part of a portion of our confederate States before the civilized world, should not provoke, or induce rash or inconsiderate action on the part of the rest—but should stimulate, and inspire them, to a closer union with each other in the future—as they have proved faithful and true in the past.

Let the States which have placed themselves without the pale of the Union by their open repudiation, and violation, of the Constitution, and hostility to it—be at once declared out of its protection.  As they repudiate, and will not be bound by its terms, they ought not to be protected by its provisions—but treated as foreign and hostile States.

Let the States which have ever faithfully observed and kept their bond of Union, assemble in convention, re-affirm for themselves the Constitution of their Fathers, and treat all who are hostile thereto, as enemies in war, in peace friends.

Unity of action, can only be obtained by consultation, and a knowledge of the views of all sections, thus alone can harmony and effective action be had.  Trusting in the wisdom and patriotism of our people, and believing as we do, in the right of all the people, to be not only heard but consulted, upon all questions effecting their rights and their liberties.  And to the end that a fair expression of the public will may be obtained, and being united in action may be invincible.

Resolved, That we earnestly recommend the General Assembly of this State now in Session, to provide for, and call a Convention of delegates of the people, at as early a day as possible, for the purpose of devising the full and necessary means of maintaining our rights in the Union, or our independence out of it.

Resolved, That we fully concur in the Special Message of his Excellency the Governor, to the General Assembly on Federal Relations.

Col. Stanford offered the following resolution which was adopted:

Resolved further, That we recommend to our Senator and Representative in the present Legislature to support all and any measure that may be introduced therein, for more efficiently enforcing the Militia of this State, and the Patrol Laws thereof; for the purchase of Arms and ammunition, and for encouraging the formation of Volunteer companies and Regiments.

The preamble and resolutions were explained and supported by Col. McMillan in a short speech.  Speeches were also made by Col. Stanford and Rev. Ketchum, appropriate to the occasion.  When the preamble and resolutions were adopted by the meeting.

Resolved, That these resolutions be published and transmitted to our Senator, and Representative, to be laid before the General Assembly.