Southern shield., 1850-04-06
,S~s%E N .1A )
From he Neec Orleuas Crescent Eight Sentiments.

Ati6ut SSHCiHaoULS.
 Judge J. S. Hunter, of Lowndes county. Aia., was chosen one of the delegates from he third Congressional District, in that State, to the Nashville Convention. Judge Hunter Is one of Alabama's ablest and most reliable men. Inquiries were recently pro- pounded to him, by an editor of a paper published al Selma, as to his opinion on the subject Of Mir. Clay's plan of compromise, the Nashville Convention, it's objects, etc. His reply deserves the highest commenda- lions that can be bestowed upon it. We publish the largest portion of it.
 "Most widely do differ from you on the subject of legislative compromises, for verify do lbeheve that the spirit that invokes them is one oi the guardian angels of social and government al happiness In all ages, the period of our primitive parent not excepted, has this spirit been called into existence 1t lives in all our re- latlons, social and corporate: springs or is ava kencd by our homogeneous moral and mental procytles-presides over our diversified con flicts of life, and even over our friendships and hatreds. In no walk of life can each diversity of opinion be carried out, and except by com promises, how can they be reconciled! It has, think been well said that, in intermediates, always lays truth. In our own country, so di- versified by soil, climate and pursuit, he that dsregards its spirit, must often be at fault, while he that treasures just remembrance of the common sacrifices of our common ancestors our common glory, our achievements, and our brilliant future, must hold 1t to his heart as the very mirror of his nature. Few acts of legis- lation, operating over and being felt by whole people, ever have had, or can have, different foundation. You doubtless ask do you intend to extend this view to constitutional construc- ton, and hold that 1t would be safe {! In admin lstering the law, different rule would hold, but in legislative assemblies, a strict adherence, in great emergencies, may be departed from, as, for instance, in the Missouri compromise or would il have avoided domestic conflict in the case of the Territorial Government to Oregon!
 "After the remarks made, need not tell you that l am in favor of compromising the ques- tlons growing out of the requirements of Mex ican territory, and of extending the same spirit to the several questions arising out of the annex anon oi Texas and our subsequent procurements within her statutory limits, by purchase. l am aware that, with many, these expressions will not be well or properly accounted for, so greatly abused has been a large portion of the public mind, by an unfair discussion of these questions, both North and South; very many had feelings have been engendered even in good bosoms, and good minds have been so phrenzed that even our Union is in peril. No man more regrets this than l, and gladly, if l could, would l hush the voice of discontent, but while all our tables groan with matter more fit for revolution ary camps than peaceful hearth stones, the most powerful is weak, indeed, for the purposes of a viruous interference But, sir, that you have requested 1t, and that it is due to my pre- sent position, l should have troubled no man with my thoughts on any of these grave sub jects. l am no disunionist; far from 1t, and would 10 God there were none as 1 hope there are not. The first emotions of political char actor that much moved my blood, we're produ --~cti by fears entertained for the safety ot thls Union. and the same broad base on which my love for it then rested, firm as the centre rock of the mountain, is there still. Others may raise their hands and tear it's lgatures asunder -mine shall never assist 10 perform so unhal- lowed purpose, until its necessity IS automatic.
 "Ycu allude 10 my appointment as delegate from this CongressionafD District 10 the Nashville Convention and say that my constituents would like to know my opinions on the questions bringing it's members together. So far as l deemed it now necessary, have expressed my self; it is their right to hear from me- and It IS their right to select another whose opinions may more nearly approximate their own, and in which none will acquiesce more readily than myself did not ask it-I do not covet it-l shall not shrink from it. Ihare, hO,ceuer, no idea hat fhiS concention acW eUer De heid'- Sufficiently long have shallow and selfish politi- cians been at work to exasperate a once sober and just discontent it is to De hoped that the grave and good, seeing the suspicious moment, will not suffer it to pass unused, and that once more they will throw themselves on the altar of their country's good, and seal up in perpetual bonds of happiness and amity, this great and prosperous people.