Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-10-21
GOV. QUITMAN.

GOV. QUITMAN.
The military Governor of Mississippi is evident
ly Il man of bold ambition, and in view of his com
pcation with the Cuba business, we must add,
by no means scrupulous as to the rectitude OF his
conduct. His restless desire to be conspicuous in
dangerous scenes was strongly exhibited during
the operations of Gen. Scott before the city of
Mexico Gen. Quitman was put in command of
the reserve, and was constrained to remain inactive
whilst the main body of the army was engaged at
Contreras and Churubusco. Although the post
was really one of great honour, he chafed at the
idea of Being in the rear, and when at last he
charged with the command of one of the two diyi-
sions which were advancing directly upon the
gates, instead of making feint as Gen. Scott had
ordered, he charged furiousy upon the strongest
gate and effected lodgment at an immense cost
Of life. His bravery naturally ELECTED the admira-
ton of the public, but his neglect of his orders
was no doubt strongly censurable in q military
point of view. Returned to the quiet of civil life,
gubernatorial honours do not suffice to slake his
thirst for the excitement of battle. He even falls
upon the dscredtable scheme of joining hands
with the miserable adventurer Lopez in his i'll
starred expedition to Cuba. That enterprise hav-'
ing failed, heis now using every endeavourto pro-
duce rupture of the Union, i'll order, as we cam
not but suspect that he may be entrusted with the
command of the Southern Army.
Forgesfll of the proper dignity of his official
position, he has recently appeared in Disunion
meeting at Natchez, where he delivered an infiam-
matory address, in favour of forming Southern
Confederacy rather than submitting TO the COM
promise acts.
The Natchez Courier takes the following no.
lice of the meeting and the speech:
Quite goodly gathering was collected to hear the
Governor Yesterday Many were curious to learn what
secession had to do with 'Unon constitutional prn-
cples, that last having been the raying cry under
which the meeting was called. As it had been pro-
claimed that 'some OF the most able orators the State
could boast would discuss the wrongs committed by
the General government against the nights OF the South
and as OF all the distinguished gentlemen from dis
tance thus positively announced to attend the Governor
stood alone they were equally curious to hear from his
lips why he advocated secession and disuDion Nearly
Two hundred present, when he commenced but
his eoorence flowed on sosashed were they that grad
nay tue thnned, until by the time OF his
cuson rot halt the original number stood their ground
"Base subnissonts as they were, they could not sub
init to hear the Governor OF Mississippi preach up
cesson blessing in comparison to an acquiescence
with the adjustment recently adopted by Congress.
We cannot pretend TO follow the Governor through.
For two long hours he held up the measures that have
recently passed. as aggressons upon the constitutional
rights of the South. 1t diluted eongation OF his
proclamation ending with the positive enunciaton that
tor one he would submit the laws recently passed.
until his State made him do it that any thing aoas
terqbIe TO such dcquieSence. We know not when we
listened to any trade exceeding this in unfarness of
statement, and n violence OF language.
1t seems the Governor made the common OBJ
ections to the acts of Congress, and we need not
repeat them here. On one point the Courier gives
him home thrust;
Another great reason for resistance was that Con-
gress suppressed the slave trade in the District of CO.
lumbia. About this the statements of the Governor
were disingenuous. He avoided telling the peo-
pie that the law aimed simply against the introduce
lion OF slaves into the District for sale merchandise,
and against the depots where they collected for
that purpose Perhaps he had his General |
assertions best answered his purpose We are credbly
informed that 1882, in the Convention that framed
the present Constitution OF Mississippi, one John A.
Qultman supported the adoption OF clause III these
words
csc g The introduction ofsaves into this State as
merchandise, for sale, shall be prohibited after the
first day OF May, 1883
Nav more it is said he introduced this clause At
any rate adopted, and remained in that consttu-
lion unalteed for ID years But the Governor did not
bring up these "reminiscences state frankly that the
laws OF Maryland prohibit the introduction into that
State of slaves as merchandise while for She extension
OF those laws The District OF Columbia BY Congress,
the Governor thinks the Stale OF Mississippi should
cede.
In another article, the Courier convicts Gov
Quitman of very remarkable inconsistency:
Gov Quitman yesterday drew nvidious distinc |
lions between Southern and Northern troops Shame
was for one, Indebted To New ork well to a
South Carolina regiment, for noble support upon the
hills OF Mexico, 10 attempt 10 excite sectional preudces
at the expense OF the men, whose courage and dar
ing much OF his own personal glory is due While we
take pride in the reputation OF the Mississippi Rifles, |
and forget some Of the freaks Of South Carolina when
thinking OF the yalor othe Palmetto regiment, We could
but blush to hear General in the service, who had led
Northern and Southern troops alike and at their head
achieved personal renown-to hear hun say; Northern
regiments had shrunk from positions Which Southern
regiments had maintained :"
We made melancholy estimate OF how powerful
was that prejudice which had made John A Quitman
forget that but three years SINCE ia official report,
detailing the assault upon Chapuepec by New York
and South Carolina troops, he had told fair different
tale |
from the Official Report of Gen Qutman, Sept 90 |
1911 |
Here a short pause; but soon the flag OF Mexico
was lowered and the and stripes OF country
foated from the heights oil Chapultepec, high above the
heads OF the brave men who had planted them there.
The gallant New ork regiment claims Tor their STAN
dard The honor Of being first waved from the batlemenls
Of Chapultepec.