Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-02-14
70 THE PEOPLE OF. MISSISSIPPI.

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, JAChs">, ~ ~ A
In November, l949, Twas elected ny your
free suffiages, Governor of this State. My term
If Office commenced with my Inauguration on
On the 10th Of January, 1850. BY the provis-
ions Of the Constitution; it will expire on the
lOrb January. 1852 In the middle of my term
If Office. and+in the active discharge of its du-
ties. I am to-day arrested bythe United States
Marshal of the Southern District of Mississippi
by virtue of process, originating out of charges
exhibited against me in the District Court OF the
limited States, for the Eastern District of l.oui-
siaua, for an alleged violation of the neutrality
law Of 1918, hSbeginning, setting on foot and
furnishing thesrfeans for military expedition
against thesIsland Of Cuba.
Under these charges, the Marshal is directed
to arrest me, and to remove my person to the
city of New Orleans, there to be tried tor these
alleged offences. - -,
Unconscious of having, in any respect viola
ted the laws of the country: ready at all times
to meet any charge that might be exhibited
against me, ] have only been anxious, III TINS
extraordinary emergency, to follow the path OF
duty. As a citizen, it was plain and clear,
must yield to the law, however oppressive or
unjust in my case; but, as Chief Magistrate OF
sovereign State, Ihad also in charge her dignity,
her honor, and her sovereignty, which conld
not permit to be violated in my person. ke-
distance by the organized force OF the State,
while the federal Administration is in the hands
of men who appear to seek some occasion to
test the strength Of that government, would re-
snlt in violent contests, much to be dreaded In
the present critical condition of the country.
The whole South, patient, as she is under en-
croachments, will look with some jealousy up
ON the employment of military force to remove
a Southern Governor from the jurisdiction oil his
State, when it had been withheld from her cltl-
zens seeking to reclaim fugitive slave in Mass.
On the other hand, the arrest and forcibly
removal from the State, of her Chief Executive
Magistrate, for an indefinite period of time,
would not only be degradation of her sove-
reignty, but must occasion incalculable injury
and disaster to the interests of the State, by the
entire suspension of the Executive functions OF
her government. The Constitution has not
contemplated such an event as the forcible alb.
duction of the Governors t has not provided
for the performance of his duties by another
officer, except in case of pacaaey. Such va
cancy cannot, happen while there is a Cover.
nor, though he be q prisoner to.a foreign pow
er. Although he may be absent, and incapable
of performing his duties, he is still Governor,
and no other person can execute his office,
: IL follows, therefore, that 81 such case, the,
State would practically suffer some OF the evils
Of anarchy. The pardoning power would be
lost. Officers could nat be coclmissioned or
qualified; the Great Sealof the State could not
be used; vacancies in Office could moi, filed;
fupitives from Justice could notbe:reclainned or
surrendered; the public works, the operations OF
the Penitentiary, and aHrepairs of public build
ings must stop for want Of legal acquisitions to
defray the expenses thereof. The sale of State
lands, and ,the location of recent grants must
be suspended. m
The Convention Of the people, called at the
last session of the Legislature, could not as
semble for want Of writs Of election. in case
of the death or resignation of the administra-
tive officers Of the State Government, these i'm
portant Offices, including the treasury, would be
left without the superintendent or care of any
authorised person. In fne the whole Govern
ment of the State would be in confusion and
great Inconvenience, and perhaps irrepardble in
Jury flow from such state of things. For all
these evils there is but one remedy. That rem
edy is my resignation.
therefore, fellow-cilizens, now. resign the
high trust con6ded to my hands, with no feel
lag ofpersonal regret, except that could not
serve you better; with no feeling of shame, for
I am lnnoc ent of the causes which have induced
the necessity of this step. On the contrary,
although personally lear no Investigation and
shun no scrutiny, have spared no efforts con-
sistent with self.respect to avert this result
So soon as learned that attempts would be
made, under an act of Congress the last CEN
tury, to remove me from this State. formally
offered to the proper authorities ofthe U. States
any pledge oisecurity to appear in New Orleans
and meet the charges against me, so soon as
my term of Office should expire: and | remon-
strate against the indignity thus about to be Of
ferred, not to myself. but to the State, in drag
giug away from his duties, her Chief Magistrate.
My proposition was not accepted, and my
remonstrance not needed. 1T
1t is not for me to complain. You are the
aggrieved party. My course In this matter
meets the approval Of some of the most patri,
otic citizens near Inc. sincerely hope, as it
was dictated alone by my sense OF duty to the
State, it may meet the appreciation OF my fel-