Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-12-31

rest this dire calamity that we are now
here assembled.
When look over this Convention, said
Gov Barbour, at the men here assembled,
many Of whom deserve the dignifed ap-
pellation Of the conscript fathers of the re.
public men who have devoted their lives
with disinteresied patriotism to the cause
OF freedom and their country when.I see.
such men leaving their homes and their
fire-sides, and exposing themselves to all
the lnclemcncies of the season travelling
many miles to come here, to aid US with
their counsel and the experience Of their
| years. cannot but regard il as a noble
Testimony thatthe awful solemnty Of The
crisis IS properly appreciated. It is de-
youtly to be hoped, that when such men
lend the sanction of their presence, good
will result from our deliberations; and
even the malignlty Of faction dare not as
perse the purity of their motives, when
their gray hairs testifythafthe places which
now know them will soon know them no
more, and that they have long been past
the aspirations after. power and place,
which distinguish the miserable "seekers
Of Office. Such men. stand not here for
themselves, but as trustees for coming
generations-they have no interests but
those of posterity. | cannot but believe
that the great body ofthe American PEG.
pie, no matter by what party names they
may be designated, will feel that voice
coming from body like this is entitled to
respectful attention, as it viii come from
a body whose position lifts it above suspi-
clon, and whose members are only actua-
ted by feeling that they have country
to love as well as party to support.
Truly, we are in the midst of reyolu-
ton. 1t is no idle declaration. The
foundations Of our republican system are
being Slapped with fearful rapidly. Those
conservative walls erected by our forefa.
theirs TO protect and restrain the different
branches Of the government, have been al.
ready trampled down by the foot Of pow
er, and we find the Executive placing it.
self above the Legislative and Judicial
branches, until the chief officer of the M.
ton has become the mere head Of party,
and places are conferred as rewards of
pDrIy services; which formerly were CIV
en- as rewards Of merit.
The American people are convinced
that there is no remedy for the evils under
which they are now suffering, BUT a
CHANGE OF RULERS. We must have other
agents in The public service. But all hopes
of remedy are groundIess unless there be
union among the opponents Of corruption
and usurpation-unless there be harmony
and concord among all the elements of the
opposition. This is the pivot on which
the hopes Of the people turn, and TO us has
been delegated the high duty of elfecting
this desirable object.
That in this great country there should
be many men fit to fill the chief Office, is
no matter of surprise, and in this conven.
ton, delegates have no doubt warm pre-.
ferences. This is all right and proper.
Give the uttermost latitude to feeling fni
to this extent We may ali win safety go;
but if we 60 beyond this, mischief will re
suit. We must be prepared, each and the
whole, to sacrifice all sectional feelings
| all personal considerations, for the good o
our country. We should poorly fulfil the
expectations of our constituents if we per.
mitied any selfish considerations to infiu
ence our action. We are not here fol
yenal purposes, longing after the flesh pot
of Egypt, but have higher and holer aims
We are. here to make an effort for the re
formation ofour government, and to checl
its downward course. So far as / am con
cerned, the name to be selected is a matte
of perfect indifference-make it up o.
what letters of the alphabet you please
so that it be certain of success, and | shall
be among the loudest in my hozannas Il
it,
Public expectation is standing on tiptoe
awaiting the issue of this convention. No
only the patriots of the land, but our polit
ical rivals look with anxious expectation t,
your deliberations. The people of til
United States have conferred all their hope
in your action, and from it they expec
new light TO break on the darkness tina
now hangs over us. Is there any VIII
will suffer personal feelings to interfer
with his decision so as TO cover with sack
cloth and ashes those who would guard tn
ark of or political safety? God forbid.
1t wouldbe useless for me, said Gov. B
to take up your time with recapitulatiol
Of the evils the country is laboring under
They are known to you all. But as ''ou
ofthe fitness Of the heart the mouth speak
eth must be permitted to. remark tia
we have flung the broad banner of LIBER
TY AND THE CONSTITUTION TO the breeze
inscribed with these inspiring words-oN
PRESIDENTIAL TERM-THE INTEGRITY 0
2 THE PUBLIC sERvANrs-THE SAFETY o
r THE PUBLIC MoNEY--AND THE GENERA
r GOOD OF THE PEOPLE.
f When l cast my eyes from one end {
our country to the other, ! perceive n
ground for despair. We CAN REDEEI
7 THE COUNTRY. But even If it were other
( wise, it would still be no less our duty t
5 contend for her dearest interests. II
I who is a patriot only when the tide of
e triunphing majority flows with him, is n
I. whig. But he is true patriot, who
h whether in the majority or minority, ha
]. his country at heart, and not sinister puI
! poses. Hope and believe that this bod
IS composed of patriots of the latter class
Ihage high authority for the assertion
!. that s1it is lawful to take counsel of our er
/. enlies. Let US initiate them IN actlvit.
D Iifs not In means. When defeated: the cI
]. envy do not despond, perhaps for the re-
Il son that mankind are often more zeaiou
+ for evil than good, Lei every man r