Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-20
THE APPROACHING CONTEST

THE APPROACHING CONTEST.
Scarcely has the fierce and angry storm
OF national politics, which awakened from
ITS lowest depths, the great ocean of hui
man passion, and drove its menacing waves
with pitiess fury against the storm beaten
sides of our gallant ship Of state, when
another political tempest Is discovered in
IFS usipiency rushing wnhligh,ning's speed
to full grown maturity. This contest I'M.
like lhat which preceded it, is confined 70
the comparatively limited theatre of our
own Staie.-lt is purely contest for the
supremacy ofprinciples Of state policy, and
hence every Mississippian, whether he be
so by birth or adoption, should feel vital
81 absorbing interest IN its important is4ue;
and feeling so interested, should act such
part therein, as may be dictated by an nn-
biased judgment, and deliberate and
thorough investigation Of the principles
involved.
La this contest all parlizan demsrkaiions
heretofore kept in view, should be lost in
the paramount desire to promote the future
Interests and prosperity Of the state; to ex.
'ricate it from the quagmirc Of bankruptcy
into which it has been precipited by I'M
wise legislation, and The prohiga cx'rava.
gance of the people; and to conduct it to
that elevated sphere Of greatness, with the
elements Of which it has been so richly EN-.
lowed by the hand Of nature. National
politics should not be permitted to CONTROL
our action 10 this contest except so far as
the principles embraced therein may have
a positive and direct influence in matters
of state policy that may demand our con
sldera'ion. Our remarks, OF course, IRE
intended TO apply only to the selection OF
state officers, and not to the selection OF
those whose sphere OF action is that of Ma
tional Legislators, for national politics is
indeed the ordeal by which these latter,
should be tried.
The questions Of state policy which will
be presented 10 the people Of Mississippi,
tor their consideration during the approach
ing contest, and which will imperiously
demand at their hands a fair and thorough
ard clear expression Of their
will, are scarcely inferior in moment t.
any that have challenged The attention Of a
sovereign state or nation in any age Of the
wqrId.--Tbey are subjects which are al
ready beginning to awaken in the mad Of
every good ciiizen, a lively and profound
interest especially among that class who
are justly denomina,ed their conntry's
pride in peace, ana the bulwark Of its de-
fence in war; we allude to the laboring
class the only true producers Of wealth
from the proceeds OF whose industry, the
Golfers Of private individuals and Of nations
are stored. Ia a word they are subjects
pregnant with the future destiny Of the
state, and he who fails TO act thereon as
may be dictated by his unbiased Judgment,
after a thorough and fair Investigation
thereof, is recreant to himself, recreant to
the social compact Of which he is a con.
stItuent part.
Ghe Stateof Mississippi now stands upon
the brink Of general and overwhelming
insolvency, whittier il has been brought by
the unwise system Of policy tina, has direct.
ed the course Of its legislation; aud the
improvideniIy, illegally, and fraudulently
contracted foreign debt with which an at.
tempt is being made TO saddle its noble
yeOmsnry, threatens to hurl i, into the
abyss below When these things are SO, ev-
cry citizen in whose breast ,hsyeniai ERE o.