The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1851-01-30

Hon. LUKE LEA, Commissioned, &c.
WASHINGTON, January s, 1861.
GENTLEMEN: have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt Of your note of yes
terday, requesting me to authorize the pub
lication Of letter addressed to me by the
Hon. VIM. L. Sharkey, Of Mississippi
1t is evident that the letter was not writ
ten with view to publication; but as it re-
latcs entirely to matters of general interest,
and as | concur with you in the hope that
its publication at this time will be produc-
tive of public good, feel warranted in
complying with your request. The letter
is accordingly placed at your disposal.
Very respectfully,
l.. LEA.
Hon. w P. MANGUM and Hon. II. S. FooTE.
JACKSON, December "a, 1850.
DEAR SIR 1t affords me pleasure to ac-
knowledge the receipt ofyour esteemed IA
yor of the 9TH inst, A reply would have
been forwarded at an earlier day, but for a
temporary absence, You express a desire
to know the true state OF public sentiment
III Mississippi. / can only give you my o.
pinion, formed from the best lights before
me. That the Union party has very
large majority at present is, I think, be-
yond dispute. Indeed, this is conceded by
many of the opposite party; but they ex-
pect an accession Of strength from northern
agitation and the movements elsewhere
Public opinion was time very much un-
settled; but the excitement is now yield
ing to disposition for quiet acquiescencc
in the recent compromise measures passed
by Congress, The result Of Georgia elec-
y Il
bringing about this state of things. Not.
Withstanding the general excitement which
for a time prevailed, public opinion was not
truly reflected by the legislature in its re-
Sistance measures. That body was com
posed Of ultra materials. The members
had not been elected with view to the ex-
citing questions then before the country
and as public opinion was not definitely
known, asfew leading spirits welded the
action of the body to suit their own views
1t is very certain that some Of the members
from the central and southern portions of
the State did not truly represent the wish
es of their constituents and this was
doubtless the case with some of the men,
bers from the northern part of the State
The session was characterized bya mark
ed determination TO lead public OPINION
stand, and Of course desired to be sustain
ed and he was aided by the presence and
influence of many prominent gentlemen
from different parts of the State, who SEEM
ed, strangely enough, to have happened TO
be here at that particular Time. Two cir
contribute very greatly to swell
the number of discontents. In the first
place. the democratic party has as you
" leaders with few exceptions, have ta-
Ken stand in favor of resistance, and they
Ire sustained blythe party press, with only
! few exceptions. Under such circum-
stances, it is difficult for many who have
been in the habit Of uniting with their par.
y to break of, though many have honora-
,ly done 50. Tn the next place, the true
ssue is kept out Of view. Disunion is not
presented as the necessary end of resist
nee. In this way many who are not sat
SIZED with the admission of California are
Induced to unite with the resistance party
md tits true that there are bat few, very
CIV, who are entirely satisfied with all the
of the adjustment. Thus stands
,nblic opinion now and If things continue
4 their present state, q have no doubt our
convention will be a conservative body,prob-
bly, by an Overwhelming majority But,
4 view ofthe existing feeling, it is easy to
oresee that this prospect might be changed
ntirely by the action Of the present session
fCongress. We acquiesce III the admis-
ion oil California because we believe the
onstitution was not violated, and not be-
ause full justice was done the South This,
elieves is . very general sentiment The
lgitive slave bin we had constitutional
oglff ~, dem nd sfhs q l,ae hefa4 ernces1ad