Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-08-12
APPEAL TO THE FREEMEN OF MIS-
SlSSIPPI.

FELLoW-CITigENs :--Duung the canvass
which Is just over, pFeeoncerled effort was
made to misrePFesent me on the currency ques-
lion. A thousand rumors were set aioat with
the view Of injuFing me with both parties. In
Natchez, | was daily represented as an agrarian.
a New York Loco FooO, opposed to all banks,
and disposed to make war, even on vested rights
and chartered corporations. In Columbus, with
the view Of drawing of from me the stern and
patriotic democracy Of the northern and eastern
counties, the opposition press held me up as
bank man. | was Yigilant but silent observer
Of those Liberal and ungenerous efforts. The
object was to kill me of unheurd, or to force
from me Circular which would have been per-
verted, misrepresented, magnifed, or suppressed,
as circumstances might warrant. Knowing well,
that in the brief interval between the issuing of
the writ and the holding of the election, should
have no time to vndicate myself preferred to
bear up through the canvass against these con-
fctng reports. The election is over, but my
enemies are still active and busy. They charge
me with inconsistency and deception on the bank
question. With full sense OF the responsibility
incurred, | pronounce the charge false, and throw
it in the teeth Of any man who asserts it. My
views on the bank question, and on the causes Of
the embarrassment peWadng the country, have
always been open and undsguised. have ex-
pressed them verbally wherever WENT and by
letter to friends and foes, whenever desired, in
many counties in the State, during the late can
vass. | only visited two counties. What my
course was, may be seen from the following
handful, which was posted up in Port Gibson, on
the day Of election:
CLAIBORNE AGAINST A NATIONAL
| BANK.
jackson, 18th July, 1887.
"To the committee Of Whig correspondence for
| Claiborne county.
| "You are aware, gentlemen, that Mr.. Cla-
borne, one Of tho candidates for Congress- is ex-
tensively reported to be in favor Of charterlng a
sank by Congress, or Of re-charterIng the pre-
sent bank of the United States. In this view OF
his politics, you are certainly mistaken. He is
yet opposed to the charerng of a back by Con-
gress, on constitutional grounds; and in the pre-
sence of General Foote, Judge Win chester, and
s. NJ. Grayson, Esq. and many others, he this
day declared uinIeeM ~rf---I In am, such mans.
ure, till change was effected in the constitution
1t is not my purpose TO contest his doctrines In
this communication, but as Congress. at the en-
| tn n
measures in regard TO the currency of the coun-
try. it is right that in selecting Representatives
we should not be mistaken in their views.
Respectfully, SC.
JAMES II. MURRY."
This statement represents me truly, 1t rep
esents the posture that assumed at the outset
of the campaign, and maintained throug hout.--
am opposed in every shape and form to the Lac
bank Of the United States, to its charter as IN VI
olation Of the constitutions; 10 the monopoly OF lts
stock by foreigners, and to the manner in whlcl
it was conducted. No human power could in
duce me to vote for the recharter Of that banl
under any circumstances, or for the establishment
Eof a national bank Of any kind, under the pre-
sent constitution. As u planter on an extensiy
scale, feel this pressure as sens'bly as any mar
in the low price of cotton, in the difficulty OF pre-
curing supplies, in the suspension of payments
q and the utter wortbessness Of our hitherto III
doubted securities. A national bank has bee
n presented as the only remedy. Not day ha
n Al. I L..
d ceivcd some argument; some touching aprei
ID from distant friends and intelligent neighbors
:, favor OF this remedy, and with the most anx'ot
+ solcitude, have scrutnzed my own opinion
and searched the federal constitution, word
n, word. but in vain, to find some warranty for SUE
n, an institution. AS before limited, my engag
or ments prevented me from making tour throu{
the State, but wherever | did 60, the communl
Y distinctly understood my opinions. Perhaps tn
:. were as well known as those Of any o:hef cant
date.
~ But the opposition press quote my letter Pu
IN Iished in the Port Gibson Correspondent, in
j! latlon TO the address Of Governor Hamilton,
South Carolina, and charge me with lnconsi
y tency.
= That letter was one of several, on private b
siness, written to friend, in which incidents
he " adyerted to political matters. 1t was not
he tended for publication, and written with no VIZ
RS of affecting the then approaching election It
co friend had repeatedly urged me, in the prese
awful state Of national distress, 20 advocate
r. sANk. for the sake ofths country. To his Po
N, erful appeals, opposed my constitutional scr
al ples; and assured him that "neher my PanciPl
le- or feelings, at such uncture Of panic and PRE-