Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1850-02-23
SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE GOV
ERNOR.

T. The Se,a,s ard House q representatives. OF
ne Sid.e Of Mississippi
avail myself Of the earliest opportunity 10
law before The Legislature, copies OF commu-
nication received on yesterday from our Senators
and Representatives in Congress.
The subject Of which threats, and the extra
ordinary measures taken 10 evade the direct ques.
ton Of the Wilmot Proviso and yet, the summa-
~ introduction of California as State to eN'
cluda the institution Of domestic slavery from The
richest portion Of our newly acquired territory
have already been 1rcihly and ably presented TO
your consideration in The annual MESSAGE i my
predecessor.
The sem.ofiical announcement IN the letter
now presented. Of the probability Of the consu.
nation ur this unjust meS sure by Congress Is
calculated TO arrest our most profound attention.
Considered in connection with all the alten.
ding circumstances, and the refusal al Congress
at their last session, 10 provide territorial gov
ernments for California aud New Mexico with
out restrictions against the introduction OF slave
nv, we must regard this measure a. an indirect
mode Of excluding slavery from the territories
The enemies of our Institutions, checked in their
mad career of aggression, by the firm position
taken by the slave holding States, now seek TO
accomplish the same ends by means less palpa-
bly, unconstitutional but equally subyeisye OF our
rights.
The violent agitation Of the slavery QUESTION,
which commenced even before the treaty with
| Mexico was ratified, and which has been kept up
ever since, serve the purpose OF lettering the
citizens ofthe southern States, whose best blood
had been shed in the acquisition OF this rich ter
ritory, from Fastening to share the fruits OF ouI
/ golden conquest,
In the midst Of thisagitation, and within twelve
months after the final ratification Of the treaty
with Mexico, special agent is despatched &C
credited with ali the influence Of the federal cabl'
net aao with instructions 10 urge the floating pop
ulatou Of thatnewly acquired territory composed
of persons Of all nations, u form constitution
and claim admission into the Union as a sovereign
State. The faltering proposition was accepted
An unorganized community Of adyenturers, some
of them, it is true, bold and hardy pioneers from
our own country, but many OF them aliens and
strangers to our institutions, hastily assembled
and as was anticipated 10y the planners Of The
movement, adopted as pant Of their organic
law, a provision, excluding forever the slave
property of large portion Of the states from
the extensive and rich territory thus nsurpcd.
And now, while yet that broad and deep stream
Of emigration is still flowing into that county
the admission of California into the Union as a
sovereign State, with restriction against slave.
ry is demanded
We do not deny to the people Of all organize
territory the right 10 assemble and deliberately
a ait
such republican features as they may prefer
We shall not be found opposing the calm and De
Iberato expression Of the will OF the people O
any of the territories on the subject Of domestic
slavery within their borders, when their aII pc
Rod Of maturity for admission as state shat
have arrived, but the clear principle OF cqua
Justice TO all the States demands that the com
mon territory Of the States should be open 10
emigration and settlement 10 the citizens OF al
the States. Has this been permitted in the case
of the territory Of California Is it not cvidcn
that her has,y admission is now demanded for n
ether purpose than to exclude slavery from he
limits l. il jusl that handful o! adgennrer
who shall Just set foot upon any 81 our dIsan
acquisitions, shall be permitted virtually to ef
clude the citizens Of one half of The States oI tn
{. Union from the privileges OF settlement and &C
cupati0n
, Bu, forl ear further comment upon this cH
traordinary and Unprecedented measure. III
motives for this hot haste are but too apparent
] deyou'ly trust that yet the Congress OF th
United States will not consent 10 perpeluaie tb
gross act Of injustice upon the sageholdng States
D To leave no measure unlred to avert H., recon
4 mend firm remonstranCe against the prcSet
i admission Of California as n state with the RI
strction against slavery.
: Should this measure be consummated, we ma
: expect to see link by link, chain Of States en-
4 circlipr our South western border, who, il The
e should imbbe the hostile spirit displayed in Ii
Il resolutions and acts Of some OF the Norther
a States. would become more dangerous TO OF
e prosperity and repose than foreign States. Sue
n an event would, 10 my opinion, render II the dn'
n Of the Southern States to consult together, an
in concert to adopt such measures as shall efic'
is mally protect their rights and secure their satet
s and give to the citizens Of the siayehodIng STATE
ID some assurance Of transmitting 10 their chdre
IS an inheritance Of peace and prosperity, and n
1. Of war and bood.hcd. This opportunity will /
}. afforded by the Convention about to assemble
n Nashville, TO the deliberations Of which we ma
IF safely submit this very interesting subject
u J. a. QUl1MAN.