The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-11-28
DC I%mrrovemenl, and comm. lIre be.

fects be fastened and increased when lime
shall have more fully developed the fatal
fact, that the Federal Government is now,
and is forever after 10 be organized, upon
the principle Of hostility 10 slavery? The
depression which follows a sense Of polti-
cal degradation, the decay Of public spirit,
the deterioration Of public morals, not a
little promoted by the demoralizIng effects
of the temptations to treacheIy, held out
by the splendid patronage of the Federal
Government, all viii tend 10 the decay and
ruin ofthe South.
Such then, gentlemen, am called BpoD,
by an imperious sense Of duty TO declare,
IS the present condition Of Mississippi IN
common with the other Southern States
The prospects before us are gloomy in
deed' The times demand the firm and
energetic action Of every patriot. To per-
nit ourselves TO float down the stream,
without a struggle, would inevitably seal
our doom. To resolve again that we will
not submit to further dggresSioas, after
our former resolutions have been so con-
temptuousIY disregafded, and after we have
been virtually stripped Of every acre Of the
public domain, would but invite further
aggressions, if it did not justly subject us
TO the scaorn and contempt Of mankind
Lei not the timid aud the wavering seek
10 cover the %indignity by a sopistry. His
tory will yindicate truth, and will hereafter
record the admission OF California, as the
application by Congress ofthe Wilmot Pro-
yiso 10 the vast and rich domain encircled
by her broad boundaries.
The practical good sense OF Mississippi
discards the shallow excuse. Relying up
on truth and justice, she dares meet the
question, and lock it in the face. Her res
olutions have long since been proclaimed
To the world, that she would not submit.
She will not submit. She will howAger,
select her mode and measure Of redress,
with firmness, but with wisdom and pru'
dence. Neither her Legislature nor her
Executive, have power or authority to pro
claim what will be her remedy. Their du-
" will be discharged, BY calling into active
operation the sovereign power ofthe State,
facilitating the full exercise Of fits authority,
and providing in the mean time, that the
State shall be prepared for any probable
emergency.
Since the acts Of Congress above refer
red to, excluding the Southern States from
all share in California, abolishing the slave
trade in the District Of Columbia, and ac-
tually asserting the right Of liberating
slaves therein,-I have never for a mo-
ment doubted that it was my constitutional
duty, in %consonance with the resolutions
OF the Legislature, to convene that body.
Not that ], at any time, supposed that
the remedy, or the mode and measure Of
redress was within the power Of that bod
y; but because, without their aid, the SOW
ereign power Of the State could not be le-
gallg invoked. II is therefore for you to
determine, whether in your opinion we
should patiently and meekly submit to Ihe
wrongs which have been inflicted uporfds,
acknowledge our inferiority, and throw
ourselves upon the generosity of the az.
gressOr; or whether, as freemen and equals,
we shall take steps 10 redress past wrongs
and provide adequate protection for the
future.
Believing as | do that submission to
wrong and injury tends but to invite fur
ther aggression, and that no evils could be-
fall us, so great as those which would be
certain to flow from an acknowledgment OF
our inability or want OF courage TO protect
ourselves, | shall at all times advocate the
measures best calculated efFectually to col
rect the evil and redress the wrong, and
best suited 10 the temper and spirit Of free
men and equals in the confederacy.
To devise and carry into effect the best
means Of redress for the past, and to OBJ
tain certain security for the future, | recon-
mend that a legal convention OF the peo-
pie Of the State should be called, with full
and ample powers to take into consider
alton our Federal relations, the aggressions
which have been committed upon herights
Of the Southern States, the dangers which
threaten our domestic institutions, and all
kindred subjects; and jointly with other
States, or separately, 10 adopt such meas
ures as may test comport with the dignity
and safety Of the State, and effectualIy
correct the evils complained Of. A Con-
V%ention thus assembled, aud representing
the sovereignty Of the State, would Of
course possess plenary powers, u%ncontroll-
ed by any instructions or restrictions which
the Legislature might interpose.
Il might therefore be sufficient for me,
70 recommend the passage Of proper laws
TO bring into existence such n Convention,
leaving the mode and measure of redress
entirely to their wisdom when thus assem-
bled. To this high power, representing
The majesty Of the people, and constituted
the proper exponenls Of their deliberate
will, all public authorities, and all GOOD
citizens, would yield cheerful and prompt
obedience.
claim NOT for my opinions any weight
or influence 10 which they are not intrin-
sically entitled, or which does not belong
to those Of any other citizen; but the DO,
sitioa IN which | have been placed BY nv
tellow-citizens, would appear 10 Justify, il
not require that in such d crisis, | should
step forward, and add my advice to The
common stock Of public opinion. shall,
therefore, present it freely, frankly, and
without reserve.
Having grown up with the State from
its infancy, the father of a family, a proper
" holder, often honored with high office, |
am bound to the State Of Mississippi, BY
every tie which can unite man to the spot