The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-21
ID. f. JAMESON.
LAURENs, c. IL, Sept. 81, 1850.

IAUkENs, y. H., sept. II, 1890.
GENTLEMEN received few days ago, your
| communication inviting me to attend a mass
meeting of the citizens OF Anderson and the
surrounding districts, at Pendleton village, on
Tuesday next, "for the purpose of consulting
upon the course to be pursued in reference to
the late unjust and oppressive proceedings OF
the Congress Of the United States" regret
that other engagements will prevent my being
present on that occasion to participate in youl
deliberations, but be assured that | heartily
coincide in the objects of the meeting
IL is true that we, (the people of the slave
holding StatcsO whilst we yet have the means
and the power to do so, should determine upon
some decided course of action for the redress of
the injuries and insults already inflicted upon us
by the Federal Government, and for our future
protection and security. Already has Congress,
by its legislation, plundered us Of our share of
large portion of the territory acquired from
Mexico, and acquired, too, with our treasure and
the blood of our own citizens. Already has she
deprived us of that equality, as citizens of the
United States, solcmnly guaranteed to US by the
Constitution, which forms the bond of our
Union; and thus offered to us outrage and in
suit, which should not be borne by q free
people.
But the evils with which we are threatened
are, if possible still greater That it is the pur-
pose of the Northern States to force us into the
abolition of slavery, think no man can doubt
who has observed their movements for the last
few years. The continued agitation of the sub
Ject of slavery by the people of those States,
both III and out of Congrcss-thc passage of
the act prohibiting the traffic in slaves, within
the District of Columbia-the obvious deter
nnaton on their part to exclude slavery from
,ll tg.. f.,.s - tl,,.I I L ~
no other slave State sllal! be admitted into the
Union-show conclusivcly, in my opinion, that
they are determined not to pause in their course,
until IN entire abolition Of slavery in this Union
takes place. lrdeed this course is openly avow-
ed by many Of their leading men and most in
huential presses. Are the people Of the South
prepared to submit longer 10 this state of things
do not think they are, and the absorbing ques-
ton is: what is the remedy to be adopted to re-
deem us from the in Jury and injustice already
perpetrated, and to protect ourselves from future
aggressons upon our rights. In my opinion,
secession is the only adequate and proper RENE
dy. With the Union MS the government is at
present, and as think it will for the future be
administered, we have nothingt to expect but con-
tinued insult, injury, and oppression. Without
the Union our rights will be in our own Ike ping,
and have no doubt we shall be able to main.
tain them under any state of things that may
arise.
well know that at empts Will continue to be
made to deter us from this course, by the cry of
danger, and by singing praises to the gAories Of
his Union, but men who would be driven from
TIC assertion of their rights, and that freedom
and equality to which they are justly entitled,
by articles Of this kind, are not fit to be free
men. In conclusion let me add that sincerely
hope there will not be found in your meeting a
single man so lost to the obligations he owes to
the South to himself, and to his posterity, AS to
be willing to submit moment longer to the
tyranny and injustice which we have received at
the hands of the Federal Government
am, gentlemen, with great esteem, Yours &c,
II. G. YOUNG.
To Messrs. F. Burt, VIM. Sloan and others,
Committee.