Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-11-01

Differed al public dinner giUen hiM IN
Ticksburg, on the 9Th October.
Mr.. President and Fellow Citizens: "
respond TO your greeting with sent-
ments the most sincere qualifications
After laborious exertion in the service Of
tho State, it is peculiarly grateful to my
feelings TO meet with my old friends and
companions, whose regard for me | am
proud to believe, originates from higher
source than mere political association
You have known me long and well, and
Your appreciation bears upon it the stamp
of genuine sincerity. receive ii as ster-
ling coin and appreciate its value. The
honest love which know you entertain
towards me as an individual | would not
exchange for the highest political honors
still am pleased that my course as
representative of the state meets with your
assent; for though in the performance OF
public duty, hold my own conscience
as a tribunal Of the highest and last re-
sort, yet | am not less anxious trust, than
others, to obtain the sanction oil good
mems opinions in support OF my own con-
cluSlUllS. IlIuCI VI uIuul Ni'@N''SNN'''NS|
| would not alIude TO political subjects; but
rather indulge in the "reminiscences which
even now crowd upon my mind, oil the
happy occasions which have often hereto
fore united us around the festive board.
The Misrepresentation, however, which
have been made of my course and opln-
ions render it my duty to say something
in regard to both, and | shall crave your
indulgence in embracing the present OPP
portunity for that purpose. ! had suPPo-
scd that my sentiments upon the leading
political topics of the day had been SO re-
peatedly-so opcnly-and so candldly eX-
pressed as to leave no room for doubt or
cavil yet, though have uniformly and
70 the bes, of my ability advocated the
PRINCIPLES upon which placed myself be-
Ore the people, find myself the subject
1.-THE most unmeasured abuse, represent
I, as hostile to the interests OF the state,
and united with those who loo!, with an
evil eve upon her prosperity As apublic
man, feel bound TO answer ali charges,
which are Of "A nature to affect my rela-
tons with the people, and | have not tho
slightest wish to avoid the responsibility
OF any Of my acts or opinions. ~.
The first duty which felt IT incumbent
upon me to perform, after the instruction
Of the people in April last, was 10 obtain
for the state Of Mississippi her constitu-
ional right, oil being represented by virtue
Of her constitutional election. THIS right
had been grossly, and as | believe wicked
ly violated by the House Of Representa-
,ives, in their decision denying the VALID
~ ofthe regular election held in this state
in November last. succeeded inmy OBJ
icct-l claimed my scat, and took 1t un.
der the November election, and trust
shall vel live TO receive the thanks oil my
political opponents in the state OF Mlssls
sippi for saving them from the degrading
reflection Of having sold the common
birth-right Of all her citizens for mess o
political potage. Had they succeeded
the state would have been, aye, and deser
we'd 10 have been, q mock and by-wor'
among all her sisters. a
The next subject Of deep interest TO tn
state was the presumption law; this warm
ly supporled--and but for the excftioh
Of myself and colleague, it would hay
passed in shape wholly useless TO th
State. It's well known that the Chocta'
purchase is the only portion Of the Stat
actually interested in such law Jus
as the bill was about to pass, the commit
tee on Indian affairs offered an amend
ment, excluding the whole Choctaw couf
try from its operation. Notwiihstnn,dln
the warm opposition Of myself ana 60
league, this amendment carried. l the
moved, when the bill was upon us hhi
passage, its recommitmcn', with instru y,
tons TO strike out this amendment OF IN
Indian committee and to insert one "hlc
had prepared aud which now constitute
the last section, | believe Of the bill, pr
serving the rights Of the settlers ana
the same time authorizing the Preslde'
10 reserve lands, not subject to pre'emPtio
sufficient to satisfy the claims Of the Ind
ans. The House refused my motion
then handed it toJudge White of the SC
ute, who obtained its adoption there, VIM
was afterwards agreed to by the llou'
Without this action the settlers in