The organizer., 1850-05-11
THE NASHVILLE CONVENTION.
From the Pontotoc Safeguard.
PoNroroc, Mss, April 22d, 1850.
w. p. DoNNELL,


STR:-Your note of this date, con
tanning series of interrogatories
was handed me, in the Courtroom
to-day whilst was engaged in the
trial of a case, and had not time Al
the moment TO read it, or TO recog.
Mise wits distinctness, the person who
handeG 4 10 me. And now that |
have read it, and considered as well
AS time would allow, the interrogato-
ries propounded. feel that am un-
prepared to give so full an answer
AS the Importance of the questions
suggested. would seem to require
am here, in attendance upon the
court, and have been for more than a
week; and ! cannot but regret, that
you did not make your inquiries at an
earlier day, that might have had
more time. The court is about to ad
journed and my attention TO the bus
iness of my clients, is indispensable.
Thus situated, if my answer is not As
full as you desire, it must be attributed
to the circumstances by which ! am
surrounded, the late and unlavorable
moment at which your note is handed
me, and not disposition, on my part,
TO conceal my sentiments. ] write in
the absence of the proceedings and
resolutions Of the October Convention
and the Legislature both, on the sub.
.ject of the Nashville Convention.
Your first interTogatory is in these
words:
"Do you favor the action Of the Legislature
on The subject or mol
II the word fauOr in this interroga>
tory, means approve, answer, that as
a whole, | approve or "lavor" the ac.
ton of the Legislature, it is quite
possible that there may have been
some portions of the proceedings ofthe
Legislature, on the subject of the
Nashville Convention, which taken
by themselves, would not meet my
appreciation. But when it is remem-
bcred, that the Legislature was com.
posed OF members from every part of
the State, elected after the October
Convention had adjourned, and its
proceedings had been published, fair
presumption arises, in the absence of
other evidence, that the action of the
Legislature was in accordance with
the views OF the great body of the
people of The State, and not inconsis-
tent with the action of the October
Convention And ] must add, that 1t
has been. and still is, a source Of re.
gret TO me, that some Of the public |
journals of this State, has so much |
condemned the proceedings ol the
Legislature on this subject.
2d Interrogaoy "Ifyou attend that Conven- !
tion, will YOU consider yourSelfthe representa-. |
tive Of the State Legislature, ofthe October Con /
venlion or bothl'
In answer. say, that ! shall not
consider myself the representative
Of either the October Convention or
the Legislature, but the representa-
tive Of the State Of Mississippi. ap-
pointed both by the October COnven-
tion and the Legislature. And hold
ing myself thus appointed, ! shall al
tend the Nashville Convention, and /
claim a seat in il, as a representative
from this State,-and ! do not permit
myself TO entertain doubt, that a
seat will be awarded me under either
Of the appointments, in the absence Of
the other
Sd Gnleuogalory. "whether or not you con-
slider that good can be accomplished BY that Con-
ventionl"
| answer most unquestionably. that
in my opinion, good. great good can
be done; and DiH be done, by the de-
liberalions Of the Nashville Conven.
tion. Good always flows from just
conduct. Good is always done. BY
resisting evil. The mere proposition
20 hold the Nashville Convention has
done much good; and Mississippi oc.
cupies the proud and elevated posi-
tion Of having first moved in the call
Of that convention The proposition
to call the convention. has set Nor.
thern men 10 examining the questions
involved in the wrongs done Us and
hence the general declaration Of sem
timent amongst their statesmen. that
that clause Of the Constitution Of the
United States which guaranties the
recapiure Of fugitive slaves. must be
regarded. You see the Wilmot Pro
viso faction, diminishing in its nun
bers. The Congress seems 70 be CON-
ing back iHiO he Union. And should
the convention, (as doubt not Il will 4
act Wisely,-set-iorth the sggressions
upon our rights, as they exist-point