The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-21
From the Huntsville (.qia.) Democrat.


journed on Monday, the 18th inst, after having
adopted an exposition ofwrongs which the South
ern States have suffered, and a declaration OF
rights to which they are entitled under the federal
compact, together with series Of resolutions
We publish the result of the conventions action
to-day, and fully approve and endorse it a suit
able platform for the whole South to adopt. The
bill of rights Gas the preamble may be approPri-
ately stYled,) is, with slight notifications, the
same offered by Gov. Clay, and the resolutions
are substantially those offered by Mr.. Davenport.
Of Mississippi. We cannot perceive any good
reason, why any State rights republican, whether
he calls himself Wing or Democrat, should OBJ
ject to the action OF the convention. There is no
thing in it inconsistent with the Constitution OF
the United States, dsloyal to a constitutional
Union, or repugnant to the resolutions of Virginia
and Kentucky of 1898 ard 1899, the former writ
ten by Mr.. Madison, the latter by Mr.. Jefferson,
which have ever since been regarded by alb but
Federaliss, the truest exposons of the rights OF
| the States parties to the federal compact. II
| the convention had done less, it would have be-
traved tin,idity unworthy Of freemen, the repre-
sentatives Of freemen, and would Justly have for
feited the respect and confidence OF their consttu-
ents.
The great bugbear to Federaliss, who want a
strong, consolidated central government, to over
awe the separate States, and ride rOughshod over
the liberties Of the people, the right Of secession,
which the convention distinctly avowed. 1t is a
right claimed for the several States by Mr.. Jeer-
son, Mr.. Madison, Gen. Jackson, Judge Philip
P. Barbour, Mr. Tazewell, Mr.. Calhoun, and a
host of other good and great men, whom our coun-
try have delighted to honor. We have no evI-
dence that Gen. Washington expressy sanctioned
the doctrine, but he did not deny 1t, when Ken
lucky, in 1893 threatened to secede. 1t is right
Of selfpreservation belonging to the people of
each and every State in the Union. In fine, 1t IL
a right g nestimable to reemen, formidable to ty-
| rants only" We will, from time to time, discuss
this doctrine, and cite our authorizes in support
| Oft
We cordially concur in the recommendation OF
the convention to all the parties in the snvehold-
ing States to refuse to go into or cOuntenance any
National Convention, whose object may be L"
nominate candidates for the Presidency and Wee
Presidency Of the United States under any party
denomination whatever, until our constitutional
rights are secured. We do take and have for
some time past taken little or no interest IN the
elections in the Northern Statps, because neither
the Wing nor the Democratic party at the North
is free from free-sOil tendencies aud a. @iion m
nuences Neither with the exception of II few
Democrats) has, OF late, shown any disposition to
do the South Justice. We are, therefore, in favor
Of rerulating all party connection with the North,
abolishing all national party organizations, and
uniting all true Southern men in great Southern
party, to battle together for Southern rights equal
Ity and independence in the Union, as long as
there is reasonable prospect Of attaining those
objects, out Of IT Northern ambition and fanati-
cism memorable and unyielding in their tyranncaI
and oppressive demands, drive us to extremlties.
We, likewise, cordially approve the recon-
mendatlon Of II congress or convention of all the
slavehoidIng States, or many as will 60 into il,
to be composed Of delegates clothed will full power
and authority to delib rate and act, with the view
Of arres,ing Northern aggression, and, possible,
Of restoring the constitutional ri hts Of the South,
and, if not, provide for their futur. ETY. and
independence. This is no time to mlnce matters
TO doubt daily, and delay, fearful to assert our
rights, and fearful not TO do il. Let the issue be
plainly presented to the North, and the last and
only conditions on which we are willing to re-
main in political fellowship with them The
sooner it is done, the better for all parties. The
North is largely in the majority, and has the
power to save the Union, if it desires. Let the
united South force the people Of the North, if pos
sible, to acknowledge her constitutional rights in
such manner that they cannot recede, and if the
North persist in denying them, let us renounce
the Union, regarding them our f"refathers re-
garded the people Of England, "enemes III war,
in peace friends