Holly Springs gazette., 1850-01-18

-l5zF ssssa ~ *
extension OF our southern Institutions, from
any portion OF the territories of the Union.
Unless we come TO this determination and
mainiainit with unyieldng frmness, | am
convinced thattho days Of this glorious Union
are numbered, The spirit Of lanaticism and
aggression will nererbe STAYED by compro,
misses; butit will continue lis work of dcs-
traction, unii the sacred tics which have here.
lolore bound us together in ore great and go.
rIous brotherhood, shall be rent asunder-our
present peaceful land shall be drenched in
blood and the glorious temple ofhuman Iiber.
W reared by our Fathers, and conSccrated BY
lher blood, shall tumble into ruins. exposed
10 the Jeers and taunts of the mnions of des-
potism.
In the event ofthe adoption of the Wilmot
FroYlso by Congress OF the admission Of Cali.
forta into the Union by virtue Of her preten-
d2d constitution. the abolilion OF slavery in the
District OF Columbia, or tho prohibition Of the
commerce in slaves between the States.
recommend that the Cove nor Be authorized
10 order an election ufdecgates from all the
coNnties in the State. to Il convention. to take
into consideration the mode and measures of
redress, and to adopt such measures for our
future security as lAe crisis may demand.
During the past year company of
men, about three hundred in number, as
>embled on oar gulf coast, at "A place
called Round Island, within fho lurislic-
ton OF the State Of Mississippi. What
led to their assemblage, or Me object of
that assemblage, was not known; bat it
was suspected by the naval-.oMcers of
the United States that they yEs1itated an
expedition against Cuba, or against
some power with which the United
States were at peace. Although these
men were unarned, aud displayed no
military organization, yet Lieutenant
rotten and Commander Randolph, act>
ing, as they alleged, under instructions
from the government at Washington, is
sued each proclamation, in which op-
probious epilhetS Were applied to these
men, and IN which they were notified that
they would not be allowed to leave the
island, except to dispere, and that, until
such dispersion, all supplies should be
cut oil, Several vessels on our coast
belonging to our citiza ms, were ordered,
under peril OF being fired upon not to
leave their position; and our coast was
strictly blockaded, for several mouths, to
the greatannoyance ofour citizens. Now
whether these men on Round Island
were or we've not the just objects of tee
suspicious Of those naval officers, know
not, nor is it material to the subject be.
fore us. to know. The constitution o
Mississippi provides that NO person
shall be accused, arrested or detained
except in cases aSccrtained by law, and
according TO the form which the same
has prescribed; and no person shall be
punished, except in virtue of a law es-
tabllshed and promulgated prior to the
offence, and legally applied" Nor car
he be deprived oil his life, liberty or prop
erty, but BY due course of law" 1t alsc
provides that "the military shall, in al
cases, ana at all times, be in strict sub
ordination to the civil power" The
same provisions exist, substantially, ii
the federal constitution. Althese pro
visions were most lagrantIy violated by
these naval officers, by the arrest, detec
ton, and deprivation oftAe Esaty of ou'
citizens, within the civil jurisdiction o
Mississippi, without oath or affirmation
Of any person, aud without due course o
law. Oul coast was kept for weeks in ;
state Of blockade, and our citizens de
prired of the exercise OF the rights o
lrccmrn, in time Of profound peace, b,
martial law, and in total disregard of TIA,
civil authorities OF the State. If thest
laWless acts are to become preceden
to govern US in future, Whenever Cit
zen is SO unfortunate AS to fall under tn
the suspicionso sof a military officer. in de
lance Of his rightto the protection throw
: around him by the civil laws Of his coun
? try, he may be arrested, deprived of hi
liberty, and injured in his property, b
the mandate of Il military officer. f.
teeming this an outrage upon our right
Is and on Insult to the sovereignty of Mis-
0 sisSippi,but wishing to avoid any collisio
with the government Of the United States
= | addressed a respectful note to the Sec
retary of the Navy, "a copy of which
herewith submitted } enclosing copies {
IL the proclamation OF Mrssrs. Tolten an
Randolph, and requesting COPY of tn
!, instructions under which they acted. I
!, this communication, | received, in repl,
n his note, declining a compliance wit
Y my rcquest,and giving me no inormatio
;. on the subject. submit these facts
5. your consideration, that upon mature Dc
Z, liberation,you may adopt such measure
j. in relation thereto as may be deemed e!
is pcdient. however suggest the prophet
a of in'tructing our Representatives al
L. requesting our senators in Congress
" !, institute an inquiry into this transactio
- by resolution or otherwise, as they ms
= deem most proper.
IS The effects of the Militia Law of Il
e last session is the complete destruction
Ic our military organization in the State
III Officers have, in many instances .resignt