The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1850-07-02
JUDGE SHARKEY'S LETTER.
JACKSON, June 2lst, 1850.


Editor Of the SouthrOn:-
DEAR SIR: An opinion expressed by
me in a letter to the Hon. H. S. Foote,
approving the plan of compromise in.
troddced into the Senate by the commit.
tee of thirteen, is being used as evi
dence hal the South would be centent
with the terms of the compromises
That opinion may receive an undue
weight from the circumstance that
was chosen President of the Nashville
convention, and the inference may BE-
drawn that a majority of the delegates
concurred in approving the comprc
mise. The reverse, however, is true:
the compromise had but few friends in
the convention. And that no opinion
of mine may be used to destroy in am
degree the force of the action Of the
convention, a further explanation mat
be necessary. The letter was writer
at a time when 1t was believed BY me
as well as by others, not only here bu
else where, that the convention NOV.
ment would result in a total failure
Some of the States had declined to ap
point delegates; it was believed til
delegates appointed by others woul
not attend, and every where great op
position was manifested towards TIL
measure. 1t seemed impossible i
rally the South in vindication Of b.
rights. The advices from Washingta
City seemed to dispel any hope Gs
creditable convention, and a faiMa
could have no other effect than to en-
courage the aggressions on the South
1t was also believed that the cofnpro
mise was the best that could pcssihlJ
be obtained: SO, indeed, | was distind
ly informed. Under such circumstan
ces | wrote the letter referred to, in re
ply to n which contained but a syl
labus of the compromise, not havin
seen the detail of the measure. Ba
in expressing that opinion, did not in
tend to admit that the South was emit
tied to nothing more. My opinions Of
the subject OF our rights, are too wei
known, trust, to be the subject d
doubt. had repeatedly declared ths
the South was entitled to an equal POI
ton OF the new territories. Since ths
letter was written the Nashville con
v~ention has met. Its enemies hav
been disappointed and its friends graf
lied. 1t is now Q 6 that the South \
alive to her interests and her rights
The convention was called for the puf
pose of enabling the Southern States d
consult together, and to know eacI
others sentiments. After full delibers
ton, the convention, by an undivida
opinion, resolved that the South wa
entitled at least to claim to have thu
Missouri compromise line extended 10
the Pacific; which would give her {
part of California. This plan received
my cordial support. 1t was the one
for which had indicated a ~preferenes
before | left for the convention. It re-
commends itself by its entire Justice
In this the South is yielding more than
ought to be demanded OF her, but fa
the sake of harmony she may with pre-
priety accede to it. | did not go int
the convention with any other motiw
than to preserve wi rights by actingt
concert with others, and was fully pre-
pared to act in a spirit of compromis
and whatever opinions | may have Cd
tertained or expressed, | am now unds
obligations to carry out the views d
the convention. Every nan who wed
into it, was at least implicitly bounds
abide by its action and this obligatid
is the more cheerfully admitted by nH
as all its measures seemed to haveb
view a due regard for the Union and tb
preservation of the constitution. An
trust the whole South will unite, ins
spirit of firm determination. to mss
upon the fine of compromise which VI
have recommended. This shall be mi
course, and hope by pursuing it 70 %
compfish the preservation of tbe UnnG
unimpaired. 1t is proper to state tbs
my opinions were freely communicstS
here as well as at Nashville, and | ma
this communication not to vindicaterp ny
self against the charge of inconsistent
II am wholly indifferent on that sub
!ect,-but solely for the purpose Of pisr
ing the action of the conventieu in y
true light,
Your ob't servant
w. L. SHARKEY.