h, in the language of Mr. Toombs,
would "restore fraternity and peace and unity to all of us." It
was not believed that Mr. Toombs had the faintest expectation that
his proposition would receive favorable consideration in the free
States. His point would be fully gained by showing that the free
States would not accept conditions which Georgia had the right to
exact as the basis of her remaining in the Union. Once firmly
persuaded that she was deprived of her constitutional rights,
Georgia could the more easily be led or forced into secession.

The first condition prescribed by Mr. Toombs was, that in all the
territory owned or to be acquired by the United States, slave
property should be securely protected until the period of the
formation of a State government, when the people could determine
the question for themselves. The second condition was, that property
in slaves should be entitled to the same protection from the
Government of the United States in all its departments everywhere,
which is extended to other property, provided that there should be
no interference with the liberty of a State to prohibit or establish
slavery within its limits. The third condition was, that persons
committing crimes against slave property in one State, and fleeing
to another, should be delivered up in the same manner as persons
committing crimes against other forms of property, and that the
laws of the State from which such persons flee should be the test
of the criminality of the act. The fourth condition was, that
fugitive slaves should be surrendered under the Act of 1850 without
being entitled to a writ of _habeas corpus_, or trial by jury, or
other obstructions in the States to which they might flee. The
fifth and last demand was, that Congress should pass efficient laws
for the punishment of all persons in any of the States who should
in any manner aid or abet invasion or insurrection in any other
State, or commit any other act against the law of nations tending
to disturb the tranquility of the people or government of any other
State. Without the concession of these points Mr. Toombs said the
Union could not be maintained. If some satisfactory arrangement
should not be made, he was for immediate action. "We are," he
said, "as ready to fight now as we ever shall be. I will have
equality or war." He denounced Mr. Lincoln as "an enemy to the
human race, deserving the execration of all mankind."