Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1837-07-11
Yours resnectfullY.
PoNroroc. Miss, May II, 1887.


GENTLEMEN: Your letter of to-day
has been duly received and properly
appreciated. Though Mississippi has
long been the land Of my adoption, yet
to many of my fellow citizens am an
entire stranger. And when privately
solicited by some ofmy personal friends
to appear before the people of Missis-
sippi as a candidate for the Office of
Attorney General, l was constrained
partially to decline to do so, from the
fact of my limited acquaintance
throughout the State. To have rushed
into such a struggle, under such Cir
cumstances, would have borne strong
marks of presumption and indiscretion.
But the assurances afforded me in your
communication have removed my diff
fcultles, and fixed my mind on this SUBJ
ject. They have the more weight with
ma, as they come with such unexpec-
ted unanimity, as a free will offering
from those, before and with whom /
have long acted, in the discharge ofmy
professional duties; and who, above all
,thers, have had the best means of
knowing my private and public charac-
ter. and of estimating arght my talents
and experimentation those too of
every shade of political faith-those
who are known to differ and to agree
with me; which speaks out plainly and
distinctly, that it is not your wish or
desi gn to fill this station with a parti-
san, and that you have no party purpo-
ses to subscrve in this invitation: In
accordance with your request, here-t
fore, you have my assent to run my
name for the Office of Attorney Gener-
al of the State of Mississippi.
Nothing is more true than your asser-
ton, that the northern part of the State
has an equal rig int with any other Por-
ton, to share of the important State
Offices. But it is as true that the ad-
ventitious circumstance of having a
residence either in the north or the
south gives no man, under our institu.
tons, birth-right in any post of honor
or profit. And it behoves us. as good
patriots. to resist, at the threshold, the
formation Of parties, designed by pc
Ographical lines. Parties thus organ
zed cripple and retard the action of thei
government, mar its harmony, and de-
stroy its prosperity. Till the south,
therefore. shall show a manifest spirit
OF exclusion, let us not array ourselves
IN the opposition; let US not give loose
rain to our fears and our iealousies.-
tthls crisis, when we are Just enter.
ing upon the full enjoyment of every
privilege and immunity secured to us
by our constitution, should be reluc.
tant to aid, in any degree, in the crea.
ton Of such parties.
Should your flattering anticipation
be realized, that a majority of the peo.
pie of Mississippi will unite on me fol
this office, l promise to bring to the
discharge of its duties my best energie:
and undivided attention. But. on fhe
contrary, should my fellow citizens cal
some more favored individual to thi,
OAANN9 WAAAAC VIII SuDtAltl Win Cheer,
fitness to their decision; will recollect
with kindly emotions, this manifestation
of your personal regard.
Please to accept, gentlemen, individ
ually, my sincere acknowledgements for
your confidence and high esteem.
| am, gentlemen, with respect.
Your obedient servant
]. THOMPSON.
To Hen. F. w. Huling, s. B. Isaacs
Esq, Hon. P. w. Humphreys, ]. N
McCampbeIl, Esq, J. A. Wilson, ESQ
w. Finley, ESQ., HI. H. Whitaker
Esq, Alfred H. Powell, Esq, Roger
Barton, Esq, Col. William Davis
r. H.. Patio. Esq, ]. Fitzpatrick
Esq, w. Y. Gholson, ESQ 7. j
Word, Esq, W. Thompson. ESQ.
James w. Sumner, Esq, Hugh r.
Miller, Esq, Ben johnson, ESQ. F
=. Tal6ert, Esq, Col. J. s. Allen,
Esq Gen. James Davis.
The times continue bad throuebou,
the whole country. The poor Al The
vaOv-fh asa ,,,ll,. -. - $50