The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-02-02
From the UNIVERSITY Magazine
mississippi.

MISSISSIPPI.
When once the history ofany coun'
try is stamped with the seal Of chaFac.
Ger, It is bard % be erased. Wbethei
stained with crime or written in let
tiers Of gold, the impression remains
the same. Il is so with these Tree and
independent States. Though linked
together By the chain II union. each
stands separate and disdnct--each
has q character Of is own to maintain.
This character, which is reciprocal, is
politically typifed in atoflhe citizens.
So true is il, with regard to S ates and
communal, s, that in the senior States
the name Of Mississippian has become
associated with every thingvile and I'M
cOmely, and is seldom spoken Of but
in the most reproachful terms. The
people ofthat State are generally view
ed as a kind Of nOmsdic, sell-loving,
demoralizing race, who, Esau like,
cherish an implacable enmily against
their Gell0ws--whose hands are steep
ed in crimes Of the blacklist dye, in
upturning the foundations Of society,
and subverling the FIRST principles Of
social existence and with whom the
deadly Bowie-knile and tOOth-pick are
but a genIlem0n's passport to honor
and distinction.
These false impressions have gone
ont to the world and stirred up the
moral anathemas ofihe well-disposed,
while envy has resoued 10 The most
foul Vaccinations 10 render her vic
Tins odious. As the II weller aches
something Of The popular spirit in ref-
erence TO his native land, be is slru K
with the horrible picture, and wonders
only il is so, yet a lille reflection dis
pels his doubts. Every State, on adj
mission into the family social circle OF
the coniederacy, has 10 undergo a pro-
cess Of political and moral publication
from territorial depravity. before she
can be considered a full par.icipaioI
in the conventional rights aud priviIe-
g4s Of the Others-she must have rem
edied all incongruilies Of character, and
wiped off the blemishes hitherto sus-
tanned, which eau only be done by a
wise aud judicious regulation Of inter-
nal affairs. Long ha Mississippi
sIrugg ell in passing this ordeal 10 gain
a reputable standing among her sister
States, although Il seems an iir vOca-
bic prejudice has possessed the mind
Of The community TO prevent her from
assuming that place 10 the public eye
10 which she is entitled. A concur
renee OF circumstances have run coun-
Ter TO her interest. PecuIarilies Of
locationiand settlement, being the scene
Of unpleasant events,o alrocious enor-
mites, and murders dire, have all con-
spired 10 lower her standard the on
sequence is. The reputation Of her peo-
pie now suffers % crafty the hag,ard
cupidity aud jealous feeling Of more
favored sections True, she cannot
point 10 a long line OF illusIrious citi-
zens, high ia power and authority, Of
whom sectional vanity is apt 10 boast.
But 10 her sons she can Justly lay
claim TO all The nobler characteristics
that mark lie truly great man. A high
er tone Of p9triodc feeling and send-
ment is not 10 be found among any
people. Virtue, iuiegiiy, hospitality
and philanthropy are Distinguishing
uaits Of character Moral rectiiude,
correct habits, and the social qualities
Of society, are their natural inheritance.
The strict observance ofthe obligation
Of contracts Is secured BY wise legis-
lative enactmsnls. Their code oil laws
wants bun age 10 throw around them
thai sanctity necessary for The restraint
Of RIGHTEOUSNESS. Their civil and po-
liIical institutions, good in themselves,
are yet in the embryo, and the admin
is,raion Of justice is only rendered i'm
potent from powerful conflicting inter-
ests. Why then should fonuitcus
events be allowed to tarnlsh her fsme5
Why should a decent resre { for her
name be withheld! Why should her
citizens be regarded as in the back
ground Of excellence, and shade Of
their contemporaries because some
are willing 10 be the dupes Ofenvy and
suffer their judgment to be corrupted
by the blighting mildews Of malice.
A principle exists in corporate com
munities, as in individuals, 10 deny
each other the right Of equality until
forced from compulsory moIives.-
Thus il has been with ether States to-
wards Mississippi. Laboriug from IN
fancy against a strong tide Of unmanly