Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1839-08-03
TO THE EDITORS OF THE STATE
OF MISSISSIPPI.

In the consideration Of the subject Of a more|
proper location Of the sea, Of government oil
Mississippi would appeal specially 10 the jus.
lice and patriotism Of the people of Mississippi
o. that part including The late Chocaw and Che.
kasaw cession Of territory
Let Us review the circumstances under which,
the present location Of the seat Of government was
made. In October 1892, a convention of the
State of Mississippi fixed the seat of govern
menl at jackson. At that time the treaty had
been concluded, cedng the lands of the Choctav
nation to the United States, and settlers were
pouring INTO that section of the State. The 90
9ernment was IN treaty for the lands Of the CHIC I
tasdw nation, and 1t was certain, that the land,
OF that Indian tribe were on the point of beng
also coded to the United States.
With The certainty before them of this vast ac
QUESTION OF territory, which in very few wear.
would necessarily make a great change in the
political power OF the several parts Of the State
Nlhe convention met in which the peope who
were so soon to occupy this new territory, could
y not be represented. Ii ever there was a time i,
which justice and sound policy demanded that
Peo2le should pause, then was the period that the
people OF Mississippi should have forborne all
acooh IN locating tho seat of government. A
proper reflection would have manifested that tho
beautiful fertile and healthy region, then about fol
% ue,'ered OF ITS Indian population, would be
i Poeu'y Peopled by a race of enlightened free.
'le"' VINO would understand their rights, and un.
nfS'andIng' would assert them. Had they uiyenI
Ine subject proper reflection, they would hayeI
perceived that they were attempting TO impose al
mssalaGe upon those who should occupy the fer.
rtory then about to be opened TO population Of
intelligent lreemen
The attempt is vain The people Of middle
Il md north Mississippi will submit to no limos,
ION on their rights, but will rise M in the males
" oil 'her power, and will demand and receive|
hat eyen-handed justice which alone thew seek
E or.
Nerespect and will forever render to our breh
zen OF old Mississippi, the rights which they are
ht''ied TO; but we cannot submit to the leading
strings 'hey prepared for US, when they perceived
he dawn oil our political existence
"A II would have manifested more Of the proper
.plrlt, II they had located the seat of government
al the nearest possible point to the coded terrific
NY but even this justice was not rendered to
us. 10 impose the present location on the
whole state, as the permanent seat of govern
ment, they made constitutional provision that
= the future sessions Of tho Legislature should
be held there " until the year 1880" 1t was
Mvnl1lv hehovah 'h"' IVY TINT r"rieJ the amount of
, puplc property invested there would bind dowr
me people 10 that location; and that the feemer
Oh mississippi will have become accustomed tt
me great inconvenience and tribute, which thai
location has imposed on the people of the new
coun.es' The citizens Of middle and uppel
MISSISSIPPI w'II, however, shake off the dearad.
W'ns yoke before that time arrives.
~ where IS lhe man VINO is so silly rs 10 enter.
Il taih Tue oplnon that the convention could fix the
sea' o, government 10 particular spot tl 1850.
IA ouid any man who understands the nrinciples
o' our ree institutions, coucedo the point, that
one convention can control OF limit the action of n
u'o'e convention If such principle was adj.
hiuod' men The convention which declared thnt
the future sessions OF the Legislature should
Il be held IN tho town Of Jackson until 1850.
could have determined that it should be held there
* Tor hundred or thousand years. Such an idea
would be talacluuS. All who understand the The
10y OF our government will admit that one con.
NenUon can alter amend or abolish the proceed.
Y hgs OF previous conventions Any future con.
'ehuou' therefore, can, at pleasure and when
'ney MINK proper change the seat Of government
of Mississippi.
Is urged that It would work an Injustice To-
nose VINO purchased lots under the provision that,
me seat OF government should be continued All
'ackson until 1850. answer, that il IS jeaal
prnclple' that no man can plead ignorance of
Mlhe law II would, therefore. be less pardona.
pie Tor any person to plead ignorance Of the
principles and genus of the government nndeT
winch we hive. A man PURCHASING under sucb
circumstances ought to know, that the whole ac-
"oh OF oae convention is subject to be changed
or ,cscinded by the action of future convention /
- "iu he purchases, he must understand that he
SUBJECTS himself TO such contingency.
his Is not sufficient cause why the iieemen
OF middle and north Mississippi should lonceH
submit 10 the grea. inconvenience and excessIye
expense oil time and money, which arises fronI
the position OF the seat of government.
Ano'ner feature exhibited by the present loca.
ion 'S, .ha' u amounts to prohibition from thel
hgh oinces OF the State Of the citizens of the nsu
counties By the 3lst section of tho I'D n,t;cle|
o. inc constitution, created by the same conyen.|
uon VINO hAeu on The present seat of government
hs "oVefnor, Secretary OF State, Treasurer
Auu'o' ol Euohc Accounts, and Attorney Gen.
e'a,' sna'l reside at the seat Of government" Ill
Is therefore nlndtsputabe truth, that il would on.
danger the lIle of any man 10 reside at jackson
during the summer and fall unless he he c;,;.
zen OF Tue lower counties of Mississippi. inuredI
to such climate. ''N'e0
Inc middle and upper counties of the State
exhiO'llns high and healthy region, the ci,izens
Of ,ha' section OF country are as virtually prohb
lea from iher participating of the offices Of bo-
nor ana proh' above specified, as if they were ex.
cluded by constitutional provision; unless n.
person desiring the office is willing to peril his
lie IN the experiment. Is this not yirtualIy ana
N effect violating fundamental principle Of free
government and will the enllg htened treemen
Of middle and upper Mssssippi lonoor s',hn,;,