The southern press., 1851-10-08


for station or promotion. My conscience tells
me that have been true, faithful and consistent.
But my concern is not for myself. 1t is for my
country and the Democratic State rights party.
You remark in your letter, referring to the
late election for the convention: " Does II moi
then, behOope euery Democrat and rs IL not a duty
imposed upon every Democrat by The very princi-
Piles of his faith, 10 defer 10 that decision and IN
good faith &c abide by ITS consequences for better,
or for ,oorse."
In order to a satisfactory answer to thi, ques-
ton, let us inquire-,ohat has Teen decided?
The late laws which passed Congress-, viz !:
the admission of California, the proposal to pur.
chase portion Of the territory of Texas, the
abolition Of the slave trade in the District OF
Columbia, the organization of territories for
New Mexico and Utah, and the Fugitive-slave
law, are, and have always been admitted to be,
laws Of the land. It is, and always has been
admitted, that no action whatever Of the State
of Mississippi, can arrest or affect their eXecu-
ton. The Fugitive-slave law, alone, requires
the corporation of the people of the States for
| its faithful execution and every Southern man
will insist upon its strict and faithful observance
AS no action Of Mississippi could impede the
execution of these laws, as 1t was impossible
for her to arrest or nullify them, though we
might all agree that they were unjust unequal,
oppressive, and violative of the principles and
spirit of the Constitution, the question arose
what position shall our cherished State assume
towards the general government, by whose au-
thority these laws had been passed?
| When this question came up, a third party
sprung into existence, drawing its supporters
mainly from the old Wing party. This party
professed an undying devotion to the Union,
and advocated an un conditional acqniescence in
these enactments. They called themselves
Unionists, and with brazenimpujence, denounced
all those who did not join their ranks as dis.
unionists. When branded by their opponents
as submissionis.s, they denied the charge, and
said that they were not unconditional submis-
sionists and enumerated sir. particular la,es,
which they denominated acts of intoleFable
oppression, which would justify resort to
measures Of resistance"
The Democratic State rights party came to-
gether in council and in obedience to long
established usage, proclaimed their principles
They dsapproved of secession by Mississippi;
and they also disapproved Of most of these
laws. Their resolutions were in these wor Is I:
RESOLVED, That this convention disapprove
of the late Congressional legislation, by some
called the compromise; and declare their strong
and unequivocal condemnation of the following
acts, namely: the admission of California, the
division of the State of Texas, and the law
usurping to Congress the power to abolish
slavery in the District of Columbia, under the
fraudulent pretence of regulating the slave trade
therein. These are regarded by US an evidence
of the determination of the North to trample
upon the political rights of the Southern States );
to destroy their equality in the Union, and place
the government for all time to come, under the
control Of a fanatic and sectional majority.
aResol,ed, That we can find no adequate ex
cuse TO justify the majority in Congress for fore
ing these measures upon us; and We are want
ing in language to express our condemnation Of
the Southern Senator or Representative who
voted for the admission of California, the divi-
sion of Texas, and the anti-slavery act in the
District Of Columbia; while we as emphatically
approve the course of those Representatives
who opposed their adoption and we D IVY conf
IDENTIFY appeal to the people for their verdict and
judgment in the premi. es."
This is an issue yet TO be tried at the Novem-
Der election. The Democratic party, rs party,
did not interfere with the convention, and
erected no distinctiye platform for the candi
dates TO that body. II was intended TO be a
body representing directly the sovereignty Of the
people and the convention left each candidate
| TO take his own position. State rights cand-
dates, generally, took the ground Of resistance;
but not by resolution or secession, though their
| opponents sought TO impsfss upon The minds Of
the people that this was the real issue. Believ.
ing ~ they did, and as all true Democrats do,
in The right Of the State to judge Of infractions
Of the federal compact, and for intolerable OPP
preston, 10 secede from the Union their oppo-
nents pretended not comprehend the distinction
between the hight TO secede, and the exercise OF
that right. IL any candidate for the convention,
took the ground that he favored secession for
past enactments by Mississippi, the whole
weight Of the Democratic party was against him,
But disappearing Of the legislation Of Con-
gress on the subject Of slavery, and believing
that the North, flushed with their success in cir.
cumscribing slavery and aboishing il in certain
cases in the District Of Columbia, the State
rights candidates thought II best comported
with the dignity of the State and its true inter-
ests, 20 express this opinion In n convention EN-.
bodying the sovereign will Of the State, and 10
take steps TO effect a concert OF action among
the Southern States for the purpose Of reclaim.
ing, VI possible. all the ground which had been
lost, and aSeTiIng the further blows which
would be aimed Of or INSTITUTIONS, security and
happiness
An parties agreed 10 refer the whole subject
10 the people, and in the late election, the State
has taken its position.
Mississippi Ecquie.ces in the past legislation
Of Congress. As Democrat, cheerfully sub.
nit 10 the sovereign voice Of my State. Our
psrty especially referred the subject TO this ri.
bunal; and TO IT, srbitrament, being the party Of
the reople, We viii bow with a ready obedience.
The question nov comes up--shall we en-.
dorse and approve these measures as right and
just and equal and proper DO we believe that
Justice has been dealt out 10 US with an impair.
tisl hand Shall those who brought them
upon Us, be rewarded with the plaudits Of" well
done good and faithful servant !" and shall those
who held ont faithful 10 the end, in contending
and insisting upon the full measure Of our
rights, be driven from the public councils and
discarded NJ unworthy Of trustl
voted against the admission OF California :;
the proposal 10 divide Texas; the abolition Of
the slave trade in the District Of Columbia; the
New Mexico territorial bill. voted for the fu
gitiye slave law. and the Utah territorial bill
In thus voting, believed the rights OF my con.
sttuents were best maintained and their will
most truly represented.
The Legislature Of Mississippi, by a unani.