The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-07
EXECUTIVE OFFIcE,
TALLAHASSEE, February p, 1880. (

TALLAHASSEE, feDruary ~, 1901
GENTLEMEN: 1t was my desire to have seen the
good people OF this State pass upon the proposed
Southern convention their judgments might
dictate, without any expression of opinion on my
part; but the appeal which you have made leaves
me without discretion, and feel bound In defer
ence 10 you and our constituents, well as in
spcct TO myself TO state candidly my opinions upon
this contemplated measure
do not believe that possess any power or au-
thority, as the chief executive magistrate Of this
State, to take any official step 10 the election
appointment Of delegates TO attend the conven-
ton of the southern States 10 meet at Nashville, in
the State OF Tennessee, the first Monday in June
next know of no provision in the constitution or
laws OF this State which points out permits the
performance Of such duty; or that prescribes and
defines the powers and duties Of such delegates,
when elected or appointed II Is very clear 10 my
mind that J have no more power or authority in
monwealth, and that any act on my part in my
official character, 70 procure an election OF dele
gates TO such convention, would be usurpation
alike dangerous and censurable.
consider such "A convention revolutionary in
it's tendency and directly against the spirit II not
the letter OF the Constitution Of the United States,
which declares that ono State shall enter into any
treaty, alliance, or confederation" and the fra
mers and erpounders Of the Constitution seemed 10
understand this subject fully in the pointed
out proper TO be pursued by the States oppose
cncroachments by the Federal Government. In
treating upon this subject, Mr.. Hamilton says:
apuy be compared with the feudal barones, with
this advantage in their favor, that from the
sons already explained, they will generally pos
sess the confidence and good will Of the people,
and, with 80 important support will be able ef-
fectually TO oppose all entertainments Of the Fed
eral Government. The legislature will have bet
ter means Of information, they discover the
danger at distance, and possessing all the or
gans of civil power and the confidence Of the peo-
pie, they can at once adopt regular plan Of oppo
siton, in which they combine all the
OF the community. They can readily communi-
cate with each other in the different States, and
unite with their common forces in the protection
Of their common liberty"
n the object Of the Nashville convention be for
the redress Of grievances, would ask If more ef
fectusl mode could be pointed out than that indi-
Gated by the foregoing quotation' Would not the
expression of an opinion or determination by the
States in their sovereign capacity, be calculated 10
carry more weight, and 10 command more re-
spect, than the acts and proceedings of am IRE
ysponsibc convention of delegates, assembled from
portion OF the States, without any prescribed
powers or duties, and subject TO CONTROL
But IL 10 said that the States hare acted by
lutions, reports, and addresses; and "they 1.-THE
North) viii not believe the States are in earnest,
and mean what they say" Then what more could
this proposed Southern convention do 10 make them
believe zoe are IN earnest, unless indeed il is 10 be
considered, and 10 consider itself revolutionary
bodR What more could IL do than TO re- resolve
and reaffirm, unless to propose violent and extra
constitutional remediesl IT is called for this end
most solemnly protest against IT, The time has
not arrived for such measures, and I pray God
such time may never arrive. There are, how
ever restless spirits amongst US, who have calcu.
lated ire paius If The Union, and would, perhaps
cell il for mess Of poffage. Since this Southern
convention has been projected, Southern Confede-
ration has been more than dreamed or
And when this Southern convention meets who
can tell what its members may not attempt 10 nc
compish, not thought Of by those who sent them
tlercS Should they attempt measures dangerous
10 the permanenco Of this Onion, where is the power
TO arrest theml Whose voice 40 potent as 10 say 10
them, " thus far shalt thou 60, and no further Z"
How long may they remain in session? What may
be the term Of their appointment These, and
many other questions, may. and should be asked
by rejecting men, before they go too far 10 retract
II is asserted that this convention will be com
posed Of the most wise, honest, and discreet states