The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-11-28

mdispensibly necessary to our safety, Will
be yielded BY a majority, flushed with re-
cent victories, and encouraged BY apparent
divisions among ourselves. Yet, to leave
no effort at Cancellation untIed, and still
further 10 unite with us those Of our W
people, who still look for a returning sense
ofjusiice in The North, let the propositions
be distinctly made to the people Of the non
slaveho.ding states, TO remedy the wrong
so far as it may be 10 the power Of Con
gress 10 do so, BY obtaining from Califor-
MIA concessions South Of SO deg. 80 min. or
otherwise; and TO consent to such amend
ments oil the Federal Constitution, as shall
hereafter amply secure the rights Of all
slav%eholding States from misconstructlon,
and from further aggression.
But, in the event of refusal, | do not hes
itate to express my decided opinion, Inat
the only elrectual remedy to evils which
must continue to grow from year TO year,
is to be found in the prompt and peaceable
secession Of the aggrieved States.
The probability Of the ultimate necessity
Of a resort to this effective and unquestion-
able right Of sovereign States, should be
kept in view, whatever measures may be
adopted by this Slate, either alone, or in
concert with her sister States, to remedy
existing evils. In the mean time, and as
early as practicable, il is ofthe highest i'm
portance that some common centre Of opln-
ion and action should be authoritativelY es-
tablished. This may be effected by the
Conventions ofthe several asserting States
providing for the organization, and subse-
quent frequent periodical appointment or
election of a committee Of safety for each
state, 10 consist Of a number equal to their
Senators and Representatives in Congress.
These committees, whose duty II should
be periodically to assemble at some cen
trail point for the transaction Of business,
should be invested with adequate powers,
absolute or contingent, TO act for their res
pective States, upon all questions connect
ed with the preservation and protection of
their domestic institutions, and their equal
rights as sovereign States. Such a body
OF men, even If clothed with the authority
Of but two or three states. would command
respect, and secure quiet and peaceable re-
suits 10 their determinations.
| have thus ventured to present some
suggestions, for which am alone lespou-
siblq. They MAJ be modified or changed
BY the result oflhe Nashville Convention,
which will shortly meet Tor the purpose OF
taking the same important questions mic
consideration.
Under our system ofgovernment hap1is
ly, the right and privilege of determining
these grave and momentous questions in
volvlng the honor and safety IF the State,
and the happiness and prosperity OF all its
citizens, whether rich or poor, STAKEHOLDER
or non, Shareholder, belong alone to the peo-
pie. TO them the appeal must be made,
and their deliberate voice must control and
direct the destiny OF the State. | there
fore RESPECTFULLY recommend to the Legis-
l%ature, TO provide for an expression of the
will Of the people, by the call of COnVen
ton at an early day. In this, there will be
safety. When the sovereign power shall
have spoken, all good citizens, whatever
may be their opinions, will acquiesce. All
will vie with one another in patriotic zeal
to maintain the dignity and authority OF the
State. Mississippi VIII then be united,
and harmonious counsels, and wise ener-
getic action, will secure her safety.
The very important and vital character
Of the questions, which are forced upon u
consideration, has led me to look solely to
remedies, not merely palliative, but elIec-
tual aud permanent. There may be some
temporary remedial measures, within the
power Of the Legislature. Itsuch can be de-
visej, it will give me great pleasure to CO.
operate with YOU in their application.
Although called together for special pur
poses, the Legislature, when assembled,
possesses its constitutional powers to legis-
late upon all subjects. shall therefore
take occasion in further special communi.
cations, to invite your attention to the pro-
priety Of some improvements in our pre-
sent miiilia.and patrol system, and to the
correction Of some defects which expert
ence has pointed out 10 the school and le-
wee laws of last session. As this meeting
Of the Legislature occurs in the middle Of
the fiscal year, | have not thought il neces-
sary or advisable to call for reports from
the accounting officers 0 the Government,
or to lay before you IN detail the condition
Of the finances. Of the State, especially as
no material changes, except those produced
by the ordinary receipts and disbursements
have occurred. The materials are howev-
er at hand, and the reports can be prompt
ly furnished if required.
1t gives me great satisfaction to an
nounce, that with several trihing excep-
tons, the whole revenue of the past wear,
has been paid into the Treasury, and to
bear testimony to the ability and fidelity
with which the principle State offices con.
nected with the Executive Department
have been conducted.
The State Arsenal and the improve
ments on the Penitentiary buildings, di-
rected at the last session Of your honrable
bodies, have been substantially and eco
nomically completed, and the repairs on
the State capitol and the building Tor q
Lunatic Asylum, are in progress.
IA the last session OF the Legislature
the sum Of twenty thousand dollars was
placed subject TO my control, under GER
tain contingencies, connected with our
Federal relations. This sum remains 10
the Treasury untouched, subject however
to a small bill Tor printing expenses, moi
yet liquidated.