Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-07-19
ReSOlutSoHS passed by the States Rights Union
C0nIeRti0n. heie at Jackson. june 18th. 1851.


the Democratic State Rights party of Mississippi,
e-afirms the following truths announced and pol
icy indicated by the convention called by the peo-
pie of the State of Mississippi, in which the two
political parties of the State equally repre-
scented, and which assembled in the city of Jack
the second Monday of October, l849.
2. That we continue to entertain devoted and
cherished attachment to the Union, but we desire
to have it as it was formed, and not as an engine
of oppression.
3. That the institution of slavery in the South
ern States is left, by the constitution exclusively
under the control of the States in which it exists
part of their domestic policy, which they, and
they only have right to regulate, abolish or per-
petuate, as they may seyersly Judge expedient;
and that ali attempts, on the part of Congress, or
Others to interfere with this subject, either direct
ly indirectly are in violation of the constitution,
dangerous to the rights and safety of the South,
and ought to be promptly resisted.
4. That congress has no power to pass any law
abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia or
to prohibit the slave trade between the several
States, or to prohibit the introduction of slavery
into the territories of the United States; and that
the passage by congress of any such law, would
not only be dangerous violation Of the constitu
ton, but would afford evidence of fixed and de-
hberate design the part of that body, to inter
fere with the institution of slavery In the States
5. That we would regard the passage, by con-
oress, of the ''Wilmot Proviso, which would, in
effect, deprive the citizens of the slave holding
States of an equal participation in the territories
acquired equally by their blood and treasure, as
an unjust and insulting discrimination-to which
these States cannot, without political degradation
submit; and to which this convention represent
ing the feeling and opinions of the people of Mis-
sissippi, solemnly declare they will not submit.
6. That the passage of the Wilmot Proviso, OF
of any law abolishing slavery in the District o.
Columbia by the congress Of the United States
would, of itself, be such breach of the fedora
compact, as, in that event, will make it the duty,
as it is the right of the slave-holding States Il
take of their safety, and to treat the non
slaveholdiug States as enemies to the slave hold
ing States and their domestic Institutions
T. That the legislature is hereby requested t.
pass such laws as may, in their opinion, be bes
calculated to encourage the emigration of citizens
of the slave-holding States, with slaves, to the
new territories of the United States.
8. That, in view of the frequent and increasing
evidences of the determination of the people o
the non slave holding States, to disregard the
guarantees of the constitution, and agitate tn,
subject of slavery, both in and out of congress
avowedly for the purpose of effecting its obliga
ton in the States and also, in view of the fact
set forth in the late address of the Southern
Members of Congress" this convention proclaim
the deliberate conviction that the time has arrived
when the southern States should take council to
gether for their common safety; that convention
of the southern States having been held in accor
dance with the above recommendation at Nashvill
in June, 1850, sanction and approve the reso
lutons of that body See NaShvle Resolution
appended.
8. That we recommend to the legislature of thi
State that at its next session, law be enacted
making it the duty of the Governor of the State
by proclamation, to call general convention c
the State and to issue writs of election, based up
on the ratio of representation in the State legisa
ture, upon the passage by congress, of the "Wil
mot Provso," or any law abolishing slavery in tn
District of Columbia, or prohibiting the sav
trade between the States, to take into considera
ton the act of aggression, and the mode and meaes
ure of redress.
TO- That by the action of the last congress tn
measures, miscalled the compromise, the position
of the Cd. and Sd. and 4th. resolutions above reel
ted have been met and the constitutional right
therein declared have been violated.
H. That in accordance with the 10th. resolutio
of the serious above recited, convention of tn
State had been called and that we rely confident
ly on said convention Justly to estimate the wrong
we have suffered and to indicate the mode an
measure of redress.
IL. That this convention declares that it regard
the admission of California as State into th
Union as the enactment of the " HUnot Proyis
in another forns, as is set forth in the followin
letter:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, 1850
Hss Ercellency:
JNo. A. QUITMAN, Governor DC, &c.
Sir: We, the Senators and Representatives
congress from Mississippi, feel it incumbent upo
US to address you, and through you our commo
constituents, that we have we'll defined opino
that California will be admitted as State of tn
Union, during the present session of congress-
The President earnestly recommends it, and W
cannot be mistaken, in supposing that maiorit
of both Houses of congress will be found TO vot
for it. Our individual positions have undergon
no change. We regard the proposition to adm
California State, under all the circumstance
of her application, as an attempt to adopt the Wi
mot Proviso in another form But separated a
we are, from our constituents, and having no con
venient means of consulting them as to their view
on the new phase of this perpexing question, W
desire, through you, to submit the single fact t
the people and the legislature, that California wi
most likely obtain admission into the Union wit
her constitutional prohibition of savery-and w
beg leave to add, that shall be. greatly please
to have such expression of opinion by the legisla
ture, the Governor and if practicable, by the pee
pie, as shall clearly indicate the course that Mis-
sisslppi will deem it her duty to pursue in thi
emergency.
Very respectfully, your
Obedlent servants,
Signed, JEFF. DAVIS,
HENRY s. FOOTE