Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-12-07
From The N. Y. Courier & Enouirer.l

THE FAITH oP THE STATES
We have not considered the recent
State elections as Of any particular par
~ importance; for we have been TOO
well aware ofthe adverse circumstances
with which the Wings have to contend
and have known too well the discOur-
agements that have been thrown over
their path, not To look for precisely
such a temporary check as they have
received. Nothing different and no.
thing better was TO be expected; and,
under all the circumstances Ofihe case,
and in a broad view Of our case, we
are by no means sure that the result
is to be very much regretted. 1t will
let the people a little into the true
character of the party which is coming
into a little ephemeral authority, auI
teach them to take care of it here
after.
We have. therefore, looked with
less soliciIude to the fall elections and
been less chagrined at the apparent
Wing defeats, Than we should have
done under other circumstances; but
There is one State election just clio e.
sed, TO which we haUe looked with an
anxiety which no mere party feeling
could have inspired. The election
in Mississippi is understood to have
involved an issue Of deep and abiding
concernment, not TO party, not even
alone to herself, but to the Whole cuun-
Try. The question submitted to the
people Of that State, and by them de-
cided at the ballot-boxes, renders the
Mississippi election more momentous,
in our view Of the case, than any that
has taken place in the United States
since the organization of he Govern
nlent. 1t is nothing more nor less
than the fundamental question Of hon
or or dishOnor; whether this nation, or
any part of it, can find it possible, I'M
der any circunis ances, 10 parley with
peI6dity!
The State Of Mississippi is largely
in debtto foreigners; a part OF that
debt has been incurred through the
knavery Of her own agents, legally au-
thorized TO contract it in her name
The agents have acted in ad faith, as
IS claimed by Mississippi; and the
State has become responsible, through
Una! agency, for large sums of money
winch have never been made available
70 'he State herself. Her agents have
cheated her, and deceived the foreign
creditor; and, though it is not denied
tnat the foreign creditor has actually
advanced so much money upon the
ialIh OF the State, pledged bv her reru.
larly appointed agency, the people o.
that Stale have been called on TO rem.
date the whole transaction, and refuse
payment Of a just debt upon a plea 81
dishonesty in their own recogniz ed ne.
gotaiors. This was the issue beCor,
the people, and we are mortified ane
inundated in being obliged to sa,
there Is too much reason 10 lear that thf
knaVes have carried il! 1t is painful
70 believe so; but our latest a lvice from
mississippi lead US TO the apprehension
mat Locolocoism has triumphed. an,
that the people Of thai State have actin
ally decided on their own everlastin,
inlamy, by majority Of voices! W,
hope better; but such. we have ev
cry reason TO fear, has been the re
suit.
We will not permit ourselves I
doubt, Tor ore moment, that the CHI
zens Of the State will soon come 1
their senses, drive the repMis,fOrs fro,
power, and redeem the sacred faith +,
a sovereign State of this Union--tb,
her obligations will eventually be mad
good. But, the very RESTITUTION to d
so; the mere temporary tampering ,
the popular will with its own cha,
acteI; the willingness to rest, even 70
one instant,uDder the impntalion ofbal