The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1851-02-13
The messAke.


We 4ssllisl .slass Cen ines ,nrfess
Resignation n point Of style, 'fis nc best pro
duction We have4seen frbmthe Executive Depas4
ment, expressing what he has 10 say on the 81 T.
ieoe in brief. clear and concise manner, anc
yielding himself to the fate of naartyrdom with a
grace and resignation which proudly compare
with the weeping and lamentation,H the noise
and confusion, of the editors of the mississippi
on-the chief mourners of the occasion.
As a case of personal accountability to the ju-
dicia tribunals of the land, for an alIedged vio-
lation of its laws, the obligations of the Cover
nor. and the path duty as well as dignity which
they prescribed, were two plain to be mistaken
Without aluding TO the final verdict of his guilt
or innocence on the charge preferred, it may well
be supposed from his VIGOROUSLY rumored con-
nection with the Cuba Expedition that the
grand jury'' had sufficient evidence upon which
to find true bill. 1t should at least exempt
them from those motives of federal corruption
and subserviency which enter so largely into the
martyrologyo of the ease, and which is Aippantly
asserted to make out a malicious prosecution.n
If according to the republican theory, the in-
violable majesty and supremacy of tie law cx-
tends equally to all classes, and it. therefore, no
official imnunties can be pied but such as are ex-
pressIy provided for of civil nature then it was
no less the part Of private duty, than it was of
executive dignity. for Gen. Qutman to clleeriuIly
and promptly respond to the legal process issued
against him. Any other course would have been
compromise of personal self respect as well as
official propriety, but when to this is added an
imPloring appeal to public sympathy III behalf of
a devoted 'aa'zyr-a hunted victim, &cc--the case
becomes suprenlely absurd, and the parties 10 ii
supremely ridiculous.
An effort at the crown of nlartyrdora is one
of the most dangerous experiments in the vide
world o fame. It must necessarily. end in eth
er a fatal tragedy or the most IudIcrous Garee-
Unfortunately in this case our Governor and his
sympathisers have enacted the latter. Meeknoss
is generally associated with the heroisnl Of The
martyr, and IN this respect the Governor fur
nished in his character and history the most I'M
favorable material for the experiment.
The death struggles Of the battle field, and not
theslow torture Of tie rack, becomes such q de-
voted son.of Mars. The sound Of cannon and
the roar Of musketry with all the tumultons en-
Signs OF war, and not the plaintive dirges md
eeat=hke stiffness of the inquisition shollcl cui-
inmate the Governors career Thenailitary lail-.
rels which encircle his brow, and which lie proue-
" and justly won at Churubusco and Tia ptflfe-
pee are too fresh TO be suddenly turned into the
floral festoons Of the innocent victim. Not only
however, was the military captain Of Mexico,
and the great champion Of south ern rights, an.
nnPromislng candidacy bnt Ne materials ofthea
fifth aeto were too scanty and heterogeneous, to-
preserve the kesping pr the plot.
We might overlook the dralnatit discrepar,cy
q an llnpetlsosls hero sud denly erted into
Paslens ana passive yactif Tor such llings have
happened, but thisease the penal y Is 5lIto net
er too Insignificant for the Persecution; MOI even
q pound Of lesh1 IS IN the bond Ituoulsl.
seem that nothin short IF death most tra
Zealand aggrax atsd forms would real ne the pro-
gress Of the play and character Of aIe hero, but
sghen Az the sound and fury of lie fetorss and
All the scenic effect Of theaep arrives
At great climax Of sdol Lars and &c sims
ply $4,000 damages n the inaprobable case Of
conviction, why hen The farce i conn letc from