Arkansas intelligencer., 1847-11-06
Letter of Col. Jefferson Davis.
BRIERFIELD, l9.h Sept,


{. j. Seakles, Esq
My DEAR Sir Your highly valued Ie,,..
the Sd inst, came duly to hand, bat found m, -.
sick, and | have not been able At an earlie,f "
TO reply to it. Accept my thanks for vonr by
solicitude for my welfare.
Your past conduct enabled me to an,ic;n,o,
from you, and | am therefore doubiy pratofa
The political information you communco,es
entirely new to me, and it is only under the bes
that the crisis renders important the views of e~
ry southern man, that can account for anv g.
culaions having arisen about my opinions os
the next Presidency. | have never anticpats
separation upon this question from the Democn,
of Mississippi, and if such intention or exDecs
ton has been attributed to me, it is not oniy m
authorised but erroneous.
That it might become necessary TO uni,a
southern men, and to dissolve tho lies which h,
connected us to the northern Democracy the
sltlon recently assumed in majority of the mn
slave holding States has led me 10 fear. Yetl,l
not OF those who decry national convention.
believe that present circumstances with more In
usual force Indicate the propriety of such mes
ing. On the question OF Southern institutions :,
Southern rights, II Is true that extensive defeciO
have occurred among Northern democrats.
enough OF good feeling is still exhibited to sus,,
the hope, that as party they will show then
selves worthy of their ancient nppell alton. M
natural allies of the South, and will meet us NM
just constitutional ground. AT least. conside,
due to former association that we should give ibe1
tho farest opportunity 10 do so, and furnish A
cause for failure by seeming distrust or aversion,
would say, then, let our delegates mee, ,boy
from the North, not as paramount object 10 nal
inmate cand dates for the Presidency and Vcl
Presidency, but Before entering upon such sebu
ton, 10 demand OF their political brethren of n
North, n disavowal of the principles of the WI
mot Proyiso; an admission of the equal right 4
the South with the North, 10 the territory held \
common property of the United States and ID
caraiion IN favor of extending the Missouri cor
promise 10 all States 10 be hereafter admitted md
our confederacy.
If these principles are recognised, we will hal
PLY avoid the worst of all political divisions ooI
made by geographical lines plerely. The coal
vention, representing every section of the Unoa
and elevated above local jealousy and facruv,
strife, may proceed TO select candidates, who's
principles, patriotism, judgment and decision ID
dicate men fit for the time and the occasion
III on the other hand, that spirit of hostility h
the South--that thirst for political dominion ovs
US, which within two years past has displays
such increased power and systematic purpos
should prevail; IT will only remain for our def,
gales to withdraw from the convention, and id
form their fellow-ciiiZens Of the failure of The.
mission. We shall then have reached point
which all party measures sink into insigniicanx
under the necessity for seIf.preservation al
party divisions should be buried in union for g.
fence.
But until then, let US do all which becomes 4
to avoid sectional division-that united we NAV
on to the perfection of Democr ratio measures. M
practical exemplihcation of those great principIa
for which we have struggled, as promotve d
peace. the prosperity, and the perpetuity of oa
confederation.
Though the signs Of the times are of portenua
evil. and the cloud which now hangs on our NonG
ern horizon threate storm, it may yet blct
over with only the tear drops of conirillOu aaC
regret. In this connection it is consolaiory TO re-
member, that whenever the tempest has convu'
sIvely tossed our Republic and threatened it viii
wreck, brotherly love has always poured oil q
the waters, and tho waves have subsided to rest
If we should be disappointed in such hopes, | fur
bear any remark upon the contingency whci
will be presented. Enough for the day will b
the union and energy and powor of the South.
hope it will soon be in my power to visit yos
and other friends at Vicksburg, from whom
have been so long separated.
am, as ever, truly your friend.
JEFFERSON DAVIS