Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-02-08
To tEc People Of Mississippi.
EXECUTIVE IHANBEE, Z
.JGc son. MondGY ECeaing, JcH. 3, 1851. {


In November, 1919, was elected by your free SUI
frages, Governor OF this State. My term OF office
commenced with my Inauguration on the 10Th OF Jan
uary, 1850. BY the provisions OF the Constitution, II
will expire Oh the 10th january, 1872 In the middle
of my OF Office, and in the active discharge OF
its Duties | to-day arrested by the United States
Marshal of the Southern District OF Mississippi, by
virtue OF process originating out u charges exhibited
against me in the District Court OF the United States
for the Eastern District of Louisiana, for alleged
violation of the neutrality law of 1918, by beginning,
setting on foot and furnishing the means Tor military
expedition against the Island of Cuba.
Under these charges, the Marshal is directed to ar
rest me, and remove my person to the city OF New
Orleans, there to be tried for these alleged offences
Unconscious of having, in any respect, viodted the
laws of the country ready at all times to meet any
charge that might be exhibited against me, have only
been anxious this extraordinary emergency, to fol
low the path of duty As citizen, it plain and
clear, must yield to the law, however oppressive or
unjust in my but as Chief Magistrate OF SOW
ereign State, had also in charge her dignity, her
honor, and her sovereignty, which could not permit
to be violated in my person. Resistance by the or
ganized force of the State while the Federal Admins
traton is in the hands of who appear to seek some
occasion to test the strength of that Government,
would result in violent contests, much to be dreaded IN
the present critical condition of the country.
The whole South, patient she Is under encroach-
ment, might look with jealousy upon the employment
of military force to remove Southern Governor from
the jurisdiction of his State when it had been with
held from her citizens seeking TO reclaim Iu9IlFc
slave in Massachusetts,,
On the other hand the arrest and forcible removal
from the State of her Chief Executive Magistrate for
an indefinite period of time, would not only be de-
graduation of her sovereignty but must occasion meal
cuable injury and disaster the interests of the State
by the entire suspension of the Executive functions of
her government. The Consututivn has not contem-
plated such event the torcibe abduction OF the
Governor 1t has provided for the performance OF
his duties by another officer, except in the OF
Srrrb vac
is Governor, though he may be prisoner to for
eign power. Although he may be absent, and inca
pabe of performing his duties, he is still Governor,
and no person can execute his office
1t follows, therefore, that in such case, the State
would practically suffer of the evils of anarchy.
The pardoning power would be lost. Officers could
not be commissioned or qualified; the Great Seal OF
the State could not be used vacancies in office could
not be filled fugtives from justice could not be re-
claimed or surrendered the public works. the opera
tons of the Pententary and all repairs public build
ings must stop for want of legal acquisitions to deray
the expenses thereof. The sale of State lands, and
the location of recent grants must be suspended.
The Convention of the people, called at the last ses
sion Of the Legislature could assemble for of
wrts ofelection. In case of the death resignation
of the administrative officers of the State Government
these important Offices including the treasury would
be left without the superintendent of any auho
rized person. In fine, the whole Government of the
State would be in confusion and great inconvenience,
and perhaps rreparable injury flow from such state ct
things. For all these evils there is but remedy
That remedy is my resignation.
therefore, felowctzens, now resign the high trust
confded to my hands, with feeling of personal re-
greet except that could you better; with no
feeling of shame, for innocent of the which
have induced the necessity of this STEP On the con-
trary, although personally fear investigation and
shun scrutiny, have spared efforts consistent
with self-respect to avert this result So as
learned that attempts would be made under act of
Congress of the last century, to me from this