Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-10-21
Mr.. CHAIRMAN,

III liAiCS vi Ait5h pdl " CACtttll6ut3
and commotion, it is every mans duty, as
il is his right, to take an active part in
proportion to his abilities in whatever ag-
tates the public mind or may affect
his country's interest. In the exercise of
this right and the discharge Of this duty, /
undertake to address you on a subject
which is now engaging the people of this
Republic from one extremity Of the I'm.
ION to the other. Whilst under the he
reditary monarchies of Europe the people
are forced 10 resort to civil commotioh TO
relieve themselves from the grinding op-
preston of their governments and have no
other redress for their grievances tina revo-
luton, we through the inestimable princi-
plies Of our free constitution can at stated
intervals change our rulers and tier meas
ures by the silent but effectual remedy
which we possess in the right of suffrage
1t is the approach Of one of these peri
DDS when the measures and principles of
the chief magistrate of this Union are to
be decided upon by the voters of the u.
States the grand tribunal of this republic,
that cause these gatherings Of the people,
these pubic discussions and the high po-
litcal excitement which is convulsing
| this country from its nothern to its south.
ern extremity, and it is the digniied atti-
tude in which you now stand celebrating
upon measures which are 10 effect the vi
tai interests of fifteen millions of frermen
and the influence of which may extend to
all future ages that | now address you.
1t is this right of suffrage which distin.
cuisines US in an eminent degree from
| the serfs of Europe and the slaves o.
Asia, and it is this principle of our con
stitution, which if properly exercised
would make us the rulers Of our Govern
ment instead of tne victims of its tyranny
In discharging this important duty, in ex
crcising this invaluable privilege, a cor
rect idea of its high responsibility canno
be too often or too forcibly impressed upor
our minds.
To us has been transmitted the guardian
ship of all that is sacred in our Constitu
ton, of all that is venerable in our institu
tons. We have been made the reposto
ries of that Liberty, TO cherish and pre-
, serve which our fore fathers abandonin!
, the homes of their births, the captivatin,
charms Of civilized life. and encountcrin!
the dangers and hardships of an unsette'
country defyIng the tomahawk and scalp
ing knife of savage foe, erected here,
temple IN the penetrable forests of tn
West. Here in the wilds of nature, the
Offered up their devotions at the shrine c
Liberty, until oppression again soughtit
? desecrate their temple and expel thei
{, presiding divinity from her sacred asylum
Resistance, ct once simultaneous and de
termined, met the invasion, animated wit
the spirit ofFreedom every citizen becam
a hero, and rushed 20 his country's rescu
against the countless hosts of England
- this patriotic little band in tire infancy c
their national existence indicated thei
country's rights, repulsed her invader
d and appropriated a new continent to tn
abode of Liberty. Whilst these venerate
patriots of the revolution were prepare
with the resolution of freemen to defen
the cause Of Liberty against foreign as
saults they threw over her the shield {
the constitution to protect her from dome
tic treachery. Base aud selfish, calou
and insensble to all human sympath
4 must that heart be that can mediate
tear from its hallowed office this sacre
instrument. Generations unborn, Will
i they weep over the act, would exccra
Sc to eternal infamy the author ofthe dee
ne To our care, Mr.. Chairman, is cenfid'
ne the preservation Of those noble principl
O. of freedom for which our ancestors foug
:" and bled, to our guardianship is transm
To ted the constitution of the United State
that venerated charter of our liberti
which was planned by the wisdom aud
consecrated by the patriotism of the sag
is of the Revolution.
A trust so sacred, charge so importa
- involve the highest moral respon slblllti
q and should create in every vrtuouS mi
% correspondent determination to d
? charge the deep obligations which are !
5 tached.to SO solemn a commission. Ind
Z pendent Of the debt of gratitude which
owe our fore-fathers who purchased c
inestimable blessings so freely with tn
blood, Independent of sense OF justice
our posterity, which should impel US
transmit to their hands this patrlmony
freedom, these heir-looms of Liberty
pure and unimpaired as when they W.
bequeathed to us, our own immediate
terests afford US sufficient indurement
= be vigilant sentinels around the temple
z Liberty. Believing, Fellow Citizens, Il
when not led astray by blind party &c
& you will never be found insensibe to th'
ID nisih considerations, | shall now Proce
z to address YOU through the Chairman
8 the Grand Tribunal of TINS RepuSi!c
2 ting in judgement upon the most lmPo
ant interests Of this country. The PEG
in their primary assemblies, possess IN
5 ballot box a full corrective for all the a.
;, ses of power. 1t is before this tribunal
magistrates, who dressed in little D
i. authority vainly imagine themselves 9
- nipotant, are checked and CONTROL
Il is here that Governors are taught
limits of their authority and that they
the servants of the people. II Is ?
. that politicians who during the intervals
their Office, had forgotten their respo
le 9 bilities TO the people are tried, not U
5 'a.h the narrow and technical rules OF spe
: If pleading but upon the broad principle
Ap- Justice and equity. is here that tn
ippi. who have violated the spirit of the cor
tuition. and for their base and sordld ]
- noses have arrested the happiness
~ prosperity of their country, and by
ntS and selfish policy have broken asundel