The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1850-04-12

Just remembrance Of the common sacri6-
ces of our common aneestors-our COM
mon glory, our achievements, and our bril-
liant future, must hold it to tlis heart as
the very mirror of his nature. Few acts
of Legislation, operating over and being
felt by the whole people, ever have had,
or can have, different foundation. You
doubtless ask, do you intend to extend this /.
view to constitutional construction, and
hold that il would be safe? In admins
tering the law, a different rule would hold,'
but in legislative assemblies, a strict adj
herence, IN great emergencies, may be
departed from, as, for instance, in the Mis-
sour compromise; or would it have avoid
ed domestic conflict in the case Of the
Territorial Government to Oregon!
.'After the remarks made, need not
tell you that | am in favor of compromis-
ing the questions growing out Of the ac-
quirement of Mexican territory, and Of
extending the same spirit TO the several
questions arising out Of the annexation of
Texas and our subsequent procurements
within her statutory limits. by purchase.
am aware that, with many, these express
sions will not be well or properly occount-
ed for, so greatly abused has been large
portion of the public mind, by an unfair
discussion of these questions, both North
and South; very many bad feelings have
been engendered even in good bosoms,
and good minds have been so phrenzied
that even our Union is in peril. No man
more regrets this than |, and gladly, if |
could, would | hush the voice Of discon-
tent, but while all our tables groan with
matter more fit for revolutionary camps
than peaceful hearth stones, the most pow
erful is weak, indeed, for the purposes of
virtuous interference. But, sir, that you
have requested it, and that it is due to my
present position, | should have troubled
no man with my thoughts on any of these
grave subjects. | am no disunionist; far
| from it, and would to God there were
none, as hope there are not. The first
emotions of political character that much
moved my blood, were produced by fears
entertained for the safety of this Union,
and the same broad base on which my
love for 1t then rested, firm as the centre
rock Of the mountain, is there still. Others
may raise their hands and tear its iga-
lures asunder-mine shall never assist to
perform so unhallowed purpose, until its
necessity is automatic.
"You allude to my appointment as
delegate from this Congressional District
to the Nashville Convention, and say that
''my constituents would like to know my
opinions on the questions bringing its
members together. So far as | deemed it
now necessary, have expressed myself;
it is their right to hear from me, and it is
their right to select another whose opin-
ions may more nearly approximate their
own, and in which none will acquiesce
more readily than myself. did not ask
it, do not covet it, shall not shrink
from it. / hare, hOweUer, no idea that
this contention aoiH eUer be held. Suffi-
ciently long have shallow and selfish poll
ticians been at work to exasperate once
sober and just discomfort; it is to be hoped
that the grave and good, seeing the auspi-
cious 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"