Canton herald. (Canton, Miss.) 1837-1839, 1838-04-11

'A't ltt w dt w the uHitcd aHu titNil-
slble strength Of frcemcn rally to the I
support Of the constitution.
ldepreclte all excitement not be.
longing TO the true question before the
people. That question involves your
high constitutional privileges; to vio-
late which or to avoid the true issue
would not be craven enough 70 nc
cept single vote. But regret to
see that one Of the late members has
not the same views. lie asks re-elcc-
ton upon grounds into which will
not examine, he not being here.
Having given up all other subjects he
has taken up abolition, and seems toI
wish this great constitutional question
decided as abolition or no abolition.
Il IS true he does not charge upon me
or any other Individual abolition doc
trines, But what is the fair inference
TO be drawn from this parade Of his
anti-abolitlon principles, in question
where there is not the shadow Of an
excuse for introducing itl ! depre-
cate with the utmost regret this at
tempt to throw fre-brands around us.
If the local elections Of the south are
to 90 OH such grounds, then farewell
to those bright prospects and feelings
.of amity which we have enjoyed.
After battling day by day and year
by year to nuzzlc the north, shall we
now turn round ind commlngle its
agitation among our own polilicsl
Look at the great battles that have
been fought in congress on this sub
iect, when the south nobly took her
stand aud in voice of thunder de-
manded their cessation. Then it was
commended that the north had no right
to agitate the subject-it was not
Isubiectto agitation at all.
That gentlemen leaves it to be sup
posed that | am not as much opposec
to abolition as he is. know that
would not have taken SO faira start as
he did, and gone 50 far back. Had
been in congress. ! wonld not have
voted for Pinckney's resolutions
Congress had no right to receive those
petitions; they ought to have beer
caught at the threshold and hurled
from the doors. There is a bird q
think it is the lap-wing) which, when
its young are in danger, flies away IN
an opposite direction to them, hover
ling as on broken wing, near the
ground, to lure the intruder into Z
false pursuit. So with Mr.. Claiborne
who loves his friends SO well that he
lis willing TO divert public attention
from the true point at issue, and fix I
on the disorganizing topic OF aboll
tion-a subject which, for the honor
and safety Of our country, ! hope
never will become a bone OF conten
ton among US. 1t has been discussed
enough in other states: let as not agl
tate it; for when abolition comes t
array one half Of the south agalns
the other, and the angry passions Q
friend IRE aroused against friend, thei
we shall soon see the purple curren
flow. The introduction OF thes
principles every man would oppose a
the risk Of his life--but ! will not g
into the discussion, because ! do no
think it proper subject.
In drawing TO a close, repeat that
if the people believe that their right
have not been violated and do no
wish them yindicated, will retire.
And now, in conclusion, thank tn
, fair portion Of my hearers for the al
teution they have paid to the discu;
sion Of the great principles whic
have been brought forward in this az
dress. And perhaps il may not B
lumnteresting 10 them to leave for
: time the howcry paths Of life, an
listen to the investigation OF SUBJECT
, la which ] considcs them as deepl
! interested as the other portion OF SC
i |cicty. On the support OF the hlg
J constitutional principles SO dearl
nlprized by every lover Of our civil II
+ stitutions, their happiness, ts.ir intei
: es,s, their all depends. In such
5 cause, when any Of our constitutions
E privileges. for which our fathers iougt
/ and bed, we're endangered. woul
4 they not encourage their sweetheart
4 their brothers, their husbands, the
. sons, to buckle on their armor ar
fight in their defence9 Yes, apes
u to them, aud am confident, that the
G would rather see their nearest an
o most endeared relatives engaged
r all the dangers and hazards of wa
/. than that through their mertness an
e want of the spirit of patriotism, the
III should shrink from fearless and maj
IA ~ .x...-... 20 tba constitution