The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-02
Message OF the governor OF Mi.sissippi

Message Of the Governor OF mississippi
We give below several extracts from the mes
sage Of Governor QurMAs: The document
is remarkable for its ability, manliness, and
moderation. We are happy to see, that in
period, of so much infatuation and imbecility in
the South, the State of Mississippi, and the Gov
ernor Of Mississippi as well as Of South Caro-
lima, have the courage and sagacity to under
stand and to maintain the true position Of the
South. We hope they will act in concert
The course of Virginia and Kentucky once
saved the Union and the South. May We not
hope that South Carolina and Mississippi will
now perform service equally great,
Since writing the above, we have received
complete copy of Governor QUIrMAs's message,
which is one of the most clear, cogent, and mas
terly productions we Rave yet read on the ques-
tons of the day. We will give it entire to-
morrow.
The legislature assembled on tine 18th ult
The Honorable JouN J, GU1oS (anti- compromise
Whig) was elected President of the Senate
The Hon. JOHN MoRAE Contemporaries Demo
craD took the chair as speaker. Seventy MEM
bers answered to their names At IL o'clock
NJ. Governor QUrTMAN, sent in his message
He thus alludes to the fearful progress of the
anti-slavery element:
"This hostility to slavery has now become the
alabsorbing, all controlling element of political
action and party movement, both in Congress and
throughout the Northern States. Political parties
unite, separate, and modified with reference to
it. Political platforms built upon it, 1t is the
main question in the selection Of candidates for all
offices. 1t is the active element of religious, be-
neyolent, charitable, and even literary associa-
tons, and the spice which seasons private society
The Constitution Of the United States, the rights
of the States, the gravest questions Of public pol
icy, all are construed and determined with refer
ence TO this question of domestic slavery !; and the
Congress Of the United States, whose powers are
limited mainly to the regulation of national and
external objects are now found devoting nearly
all their time to subjects of domestic nature, over
which it was never intended that they should eX-
ercise jurisdiction.
He next points out briefly, but clearly, the in
justice done to the South by the recent legisla-
ton Of Congress, and shows that even the strong
barriers of the Constitution have fallen, one by
one, before the march of Northern encroachment
.and fanaticism. In the following eloquent pas
sages he shows that the South has nothing to
hope from the future.
"The limits of a message do not permit me to
detail other measures which have Justly caused
alarm and excitementin the South, for. however,
some OF our own people may, from anxiety to al
lay excitement, seek to excuse these measures,
there are few whose breasts are not filled with
dread Of the dangers which from these quarters
lower in the horizon Of the future. In my opinion
it would be weak, timld, and disastrous policy to
shut our eyes to these dangers-it is the part of
wisdom to meet them. Let us then survey our
position and that Of our opponents.
There is nothing to encourage the hope that
there will be any respite from aggression. Never
has hostility to slavery been more distinctly
marked or more openly asserted. Shades Of diff
ference in opinion may distinguish Northern
statesmen, but all unite in stern opposition to the
extension of slavery, and in declarations Of their
fixed determination to confne it to its present
limits, and forever to close the public territory
against US.
The North has just triumphed in every claim
she has asserted; and yet at this moment Of our
humiliation, their people, less patient than we are
in blaze Of excitement at every attempt to exc
cute the bill to secure the return of fugitive slaves.
This plain compliance with one of the cleares in
functions OF the Constitution is not only disre-
garded, but conventions Of both political parties,
formal meetings Of the people, and deliberate ad-
dresses Of distinguished men openly take ground
that being against the public sentiment of the peo-
pie of the North, it should not he executed; and
persons Of all classes, with pliancy Of conscience
which characterizes abolition philosophy, adapt
their moral code and their constitutional duties, to
their prejudices and their interests.
| Such, then, is the triumphant attitude of anti
slavery. 1t now controls the entire Government.
No questions arise in which it does not intermin-
gle. And wherever it exhibits ITSELF it controls
all other subjects. Every great interest in this
Government is now directed and managed by it,
1t has broken and sundered the strong ties which
harp nd Intnr Nnrth
and South. 1t has even now severed the bonds
which for sixty years have united parties, and in
the place, it has sown the seeds Of hostility and
hatred. 1t now stands the stern, unyielding des-
pot, consigning to the bed Of Procrustes every OBJ
ject whose fitness is questioned.
Gov Quitman then declares that, as things
now exist and are now going on, the institution
of slavery must perish.
"What is to be the fate Of the institution of do
mestic slavery under such government this great
interest, with which the civilization and refine
ment Of man on earth is connected-upon which
so much of the trade and commerce between En-
rope and America depends-which employs the
labor Of millions, and distributes the comforts of
civilization to so many fames-this great social
interest upon which are founded the prosperity,
the happiness, and the very existence Of the peo-
pie Of fourteen States of this Union' What is to
be the fate of this institution IF left to the tender
merces Of the Federal Government, its fate is
doomed. With the preiudices Of the age against
it, it requires for its kind Development foster
ing Government over it. 1t could scarcely sub
sist without such protection. How then can it ex-
list, much less flourish and prosper under gov
eminent hostile to it, A government organized
upon principles Of hostility and opposition to the
institution Is it proper is it philosophic? Is
it not absurd, to entrust the prosperity, the pro-
lection, and even the existence Of great and del
icate interest to political power having its origin
in and drawing its vgor from the very element of
hostility to this INTEREST,"
To state the proposition clearly The Govern.
ment the United States is now hostile to slave
ry. 1t will hereafter be selected with reference to
its hostility to this interest, and its activity in the
use Of doing injury. If this great and vital inter
est then, remains subject to the government and
control of its enemy, it must perish Sooner or la
ter, repeat, it must perish"
The Governor thon states that in view Of the
dangers that menace the State, its sovereignty,
constitutional rights and institutions, he felt
called on to convene the legisature,and then
nrocepds to sav