Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-11-30
LETTER FROM FOOTE'S OF MISSISSIPPI TO MR.. CLING
MAN, OF NORTH CAROLINA.
j. WAsHINGToN.gNOF 10, a1849


Sir: Being casually informed of your recent arri-
val this city, seize the opportunity of inviting
your attention to subject of high Importance to the
whole country and of especial concern to the South
ern States ofthe confederaey of which you have
the honor to represent in the councils of the nation
The session of Congress is almost at hand and ndi-
cations are abroad, and every moment multiplying
which seem to render squite proba BILE that the VII
met ProUlso and the abolition Of Slavery the District
of Columbia, Will be again brought forward, either
in the Senate or House of Representatives, and sup
ported by the Jealous and INSCRIPTIONS advocates of
these two mischevous measures with increased vio-
ence and confirmed pertinacity. It is most evident
to me that the Unio itself will be put in serious leo
pardy by the movements thus menaced, as hold it
to be certain that State of the South will patient
" acquiesce in either of the aggressons alluded to-
regret to perceive that there is an erroneous i'm
preston widely prevalent In the North that the South
neither in earnest united in any scheme of op-
position and resistance to the insulting encroach-
ments fereely threatened. IF this impression
is permitted to remain uneorreced until either of the
meditated outrages referred to shall have been per-
petrated it is to be feared that it will be too late to
the Republic from consequences too dreadful to
be contemplated without feeling of patriotic solici-
tude and alarm; whereas, it is my firm conviction
that if the sober thinking men of the free States
could once ascertain the dangers that demagogues
and fanatieal agitators are fast bringing upon them
and their unofending brethren of the South by the
advocacy of schemes of injustice and oppression
which cannot possibly result in practical benefit to
any section State of the confederacy, they would
rise up without further delay and say to the agents
of sedition who have heretofore sported with their
credulity and abused their confidence, that the pc
riod has at length arrived when they will not longer
permit them, in their name, to trample the sacred
provisions of the constitution under foot and embro
the legislative councils of the nation in unseemly and
wicked controversy. ." -.s-. = '..-t1 - .. :.
Taking this view of the matter and knowing that
you have had opportunity of comforting freely du
ring the past summer with your fellow-citiZens Of
North Carolina, venture to lay before you the
lutions recently adopted by the Southern Convention
of the State of Mississippi and call upon you to say
whether or not you approve them, and whether they
are, in your opinion approved in the State of North
Carolina and the South generally. Being a promi
nent member of the Wing party, you will doubtless
feel authorized to speak, in language too explicit t.
be misunderstood, as to the probable action of YOU
political associates the South should the presen
sectional contest be pushed to extre1nities In the
Convention of Mississippi, you will observe both thu
two great patcal parties of the country equal
ly represented the resolutions, unanimously adopted
by that body, may be therefore regarded declara
tive of the views and feelings of the whole State
However it may possibly be elsewhere, can assur
you most confidently that the people of Mississippi
look upon the slavery question: its existing aspects
as above party. I am well satisfied that this is tn
condition of things generally in the South and
hope that you will feel justified In expressing con
current opinion. ---..-..r
had the honor of addressing, few days since
inquiries similar to those propounded to you t.
your distinguished colleague, the Hon. WILLIE
MANGUM, who proposes, as the physical in
disposition with which he is at present afflicted vii
permit to declare his views upon the whole subjec
in somewhat extended FORM | am gratifed t
know and to be specially authorized to state that
fully and warmly approves the proceedings of GU
Mississippi Convention, as was certainly to be ez
pected from always ready heretofore, as he ha
been, to defend the honor and safety of the Sout
against aggressiens either actual medtated, fro1
whatever quarter they might emanate.
l have the honor to be, very cordially and respect
fully, Your friend and obedient servant,
..-... - H. S. FOOTE
: Hon. THos L. CL1NGMAN.