Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-06-09
VOLUME VII
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATURE OF MISSIS-
SIPPI.
mo. II.)


The time has arrived, when the peo-
pie of this State have commenced the
of the interesting subject Of
the removal ofthe seat of government.
l desire, respectfully, as one Of your
fellow citizens, to invite your attention
to this object, of such high moment to
the State.
In the consideration of this impor-
tant question, l appealto the high sense
of justice and patriotism Of every por-
ton of the State.
That the seat Of Government must
be removed from its present position,
is an event entirely inevitable. 1t may
by legislative management, be retarded
for a short season; but it must and
will take place; The highest interests
of the State demand it. 1t is equally
called for by public policy and justice.
Do not, then, continue to waste the
public means in Improvements that
will be abandoned. AS the event can
not be doubted by any sensible mind
every citizen who desires the perma-
nent interest Of the State, should give
his assent TO its prompt and judicious
accomplishment.
Let US review the circumstances I'M
der which the present location of the
seat Of government was made:
In October, 1882, a Convention Of
the State of Mississippi fixed the seat
of Government at Jackson, till 1850.
At that time, the treaty which ceded
the lands of the Choctaw tribe of Indi-
ans to the United States, had been con-
cluded. The tide of emigration from
our sister States was pointing to that
interesting portion of Mississippi.
AT that time the government Of the
United States was treating for the ter
itory of the Chickasaw Indians and
the event was regarded as inevitable,
that the period was close at hand,
when that valuable body of country
would also be coded to the Union
Not man of the commonest under
standing doubted it.
With the certainty then before them
Of this vast acquisition of territory,
which, in a very few years, would ne
cessariiy make a great change in the
political power Of the several parts o
the State, the Convention met ;-ir
which the people, who were so soon
to Gil up this new territory, and form
the largest portion of the State, could
not be represented.
IF ever there was a time in which
justice and sound policy, demanded
that people should pause, then wa
the period that the people ofMississipp
should have forbourne all action, il
relation to the location of the seat 0
government.
The event was certain as a deere
} Lof fate, that the beautiful, fertile an
healthy region, then about to be deliv
cred ofits Indian population, would b
r speedily peopled by race of enilgh'
: ened freemen, who would understan
S their rights, and understanding, woul
assert them.
i Had the people of old Mississippi
given the subject proper reflection
- they would have rightly concluded
IS that their course Of action amounted
l. in effect, to a vassalage, imposed {
1t those who should occupy the terrltol
n then about to be opened to popul
&c ton Of intelligent freemen.
ye The attempt is utterly vain. II
Il people of Middle and North Mississi
ri will not submit to so fragrant an
on vasion oftheir rights. They will ri
y. up, in tie majesty Of their power, a
n will demand, and have that even-han
h. ed Justice which is all they seek for.
I'VE respect, and will forever rend
We TO our brethren Of old Mississippi,
pr rights which they are legitimately c
mt titled to. But we will never subr
o. to be bound in the leading strings tn
s ur prepared for US, when they PercelV
ID the bright dawn of our political ex
tence. The web they wove to b
90 ourselves and our posterlty, IS
No. strong enough to hold freemen in 81
ion lection, to so small spot OF earth
ice claims to hold dominion over
rights.
Iir- ;,,nose tho nrasent la
u'u ton on the whole State, as the per-
nent seat of government, constitute
~, al provision was made, that the tut
,,iv sessions Of the Legislature shoulo
,rto held at Jackson, until the year Is
rel If was vainly believed, that by
rec neriod, the amount of public prop
lar- invested there, would bind down
pop neopIe and their posterity to that
pa ton and that the freemen OF NH
y oV .; sippi would become accustome'
';sh. the extraordinary tribute, and
an. inconvenience, which that location
/. 1t imposed on the people OF the
SUBJ counties May ! on the whole :
'ew. The citizens Of middle and u
mgs' Mississippi will, however, shake
0 ope the degrading yoke, before that
o arrives: They will be aided b
ouos. natriolic portion of the people o
lower country, who look to the P