The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1851-04-15


basis, the free institutions under which w
have so long lived aud prospered
There is time in the life Of staiesma
when, in the language of Mr. Jefferson
" feeling the physical effects of an advane
ed age. he ought not to doubt its mental ei
fects also" aud, for one, ] am content will
the honors which my country has alread,
conferred on me, and am unwilling, by seek
ing 10 continue in pubic life. at the age o
threescore and ten and upwards, to com
promise away what little fame | may hat,
acquired, and long with il the constitution
al rights of my felIowcltzens
Examples of this kind have fallen mle,
my observation, and are to be found in our
political annals; bur do not foiow them
The duties to be performed cannot result IL
consequen, es injurious 10 the great interests
peace aud tranquility OF the State, or the
coniederacy; but may be productive of ben
efts in preserving from overthrow, our Fed.
eral Union-which. happen when it may.
will precipitate this great Republic into Il
vortex Of evils from which it viii be di
cult for the wisdom mo, Grafton aud par
otsm OF the best aud wi,e>l Stale,,ntn a.
the Nation 10 rxtllcate 1t.
The Convention, when assembled are
required by the acI under which ii is ca ed
to proceed 10 "considel the then exntiB :.
relations between the Government oi lhr
United States, and the Government and
the people OF the State of Mississippi,
!. This consideration is to be directed TO
the action of the Government of the [ ~.
ted States, aud the wrongs Gf any,) which
have been inflicted by that Government. in
| violation of the Constitution on the South.
ern states o. the Confederacy and if so.
of the means and measure of redress and
securty-and finally, to adopt such meas
ures for vindicatne the sovereignty of the
State, and the protection of its institutions
as shall app ar 10 them TO be demanded.
could have no hesitation in entering upon
the duties thus assigned to me, to he per-
formed as member of this Convent N,
without the slightest apprehension Of mis-
chief to the Republic, either as to its per-
petuity or It's primitive organization.
1t would ecome my province to look at
the state of the Union, existing at the date
of the assembling of the Convention and
if at that date, the political sky is cear.-it
the clouds which may prior to that date
have obscured the SUI of our nationa g,ory
and the equal rights OF The members
comprising the confederacy shall have beer
dispelled, and the prospect before US open,
the vista of equality and justice, and o
peace and tranquility among the States o
this Union, my duties as a member Of thi,
| Convention, under such a state OF fact
wi have ended, save on to announce the
p easing intelligence to those whom shou d
have the honor 10 represent.
In the choice of members of thi, Conven.
ton, no party organization wond seem to
be required. The state of the country, its
constiturion aud laws, and the preservation
Of both from infractlon, by means Of which
justice and equality may be secured to al
its parts, assuredIy involves no party p:luci
pies or measures, unless the unrt Hsouabe {
supposition should be entertained that there
is party i'll this country who seek to reach
the climax OF despotic power, under the
guise of Union or another party who
have organized for the purpose of abrogat
ing both the Constitution and the avs
made in pursuance thereoF, and thereb,
PROSTATE our existing form of government
under the popular cognomen Of Democracy
The existence of such parties, or either o
them, is not to be credited and therefore
as member of the Convention, my duties
would be confined TO broad and genera
view of the condition of the whole country
and OF its parts, in reference to constitution
a rights and responsibilities, and so to act
if practicable, as to transmit this Govern
ment, unimpaired, to our posterity. Blu
even If driven to the last alternative, woult
meet the painful necessity of providing To-
the honor and safety of the State TO which
belong. and of other States having simia
! institutions ard interests. These duties soa
sightless distance above the groveIng ant
contemplate struggles Of parties seeking Il
obtain political power, at the sacrifice o
everything held sacred by thai portion o
the Union whose confidence they have OBJ
tanned and abused. No party considerations
new or old, ought to find place in thi
Convention. if it be intended to secure thu
future peace and tranquility of the Republic
The attempt is made to fasten on tn,
public mind in the approaching election o
members to this Convention, discrimina
ton between parties, under the designation
"Union" and "Dsunion laying asid,
all the causes which have produced the con
vulsions and agitations which have threat
ened the stability of this Government fo
several years past In my judgment, sucl
an issue is. in its very terms, insulting Il
the people of these coniederated States, ant
a disgrace to the American name. 1t I'm
plies distrust Of the fidelity of the free Peo
pie TO the institutions which constitute the
guarantee of their liberties, and which wer
established by the wisdom and virtue OF on
ancestors. by whose valor the independents
OF the nation was achieved
Il Tbs feeling Of attachment to the Gov
eminent runs through the veins Of ever
| AmaYlcan aIfizan af.d se ~f cf.. tox t.,.