Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-10-25
To the Voters Of Tie ThirdsJudicial District Cf
Tie Heb Court Ct Errors AID kRreals.

have been before YOU. on two former occasion,
candidate for judicial station. ] have in both
instances deprecated the idea ofelecting the Judi
ciary upon party grounds, and have done all in
my power to prevent it. [ have endeavored to
pursue the same course, in this instance; and to
avoid the introduction of the Southern question in
TO the canvass. Ny efforts have not been success
ful. 1t is brought to bear to some extent, on al
most every candidate for every station. This has
induced me to address you this Circular.
The late Convention election has settled The po-
Icy of this State in favor of acquiescence in the
Adjustment measures. The people who are
ereign have willed it. To their decision l bow,
without an effort and without murmur The
matter, in my judgement. is determined, and
have no intention to disturb it. My great desite Is
that itmay confer the country, all which Its best
friends expect of it.
am not, nor have | been, the advocate either
Of disunIon or secession-although that charge has
been brought against me. / love my whole coun-
try with as ardent an attachment, as animates any
human being. All my efforts in the late exciting
controversy, have been directed to securing the
good of the whole and if have differed from
some of you as TO the best means ofeffecting that
object there has been no difference between us as
to the end in yiew-the peace, prosperity. and
happiness of this whole people.
In my action on this subject have not been
volunteer, or attempted to be leader. l was
member of the first Nashville Convention, in con-
junction with the other Judges of the High Court,
by the request of both political parties of the State
was not present at the second meeting of that bo-
dy, having previously resigned my seat.
The address to which my name is annexed, was
drawn by the committee upon the urgent request
of a large meeting of the members of the LegIsla-
ture and others, and was intended to set forth the
views of the State Rights party in temperate and
moderate manner. That address sets out the doc
trine of the Rights of the States, but does not
commend, in the first instance, the exercise of any
of those ghts except the call of Convention to
ask for redress from Congress. If that redress
should be refused when so asked, then it suggests
the call of Southern Convention, to consider of
the grievances of the South, and of the mode and
measures ofredress The plan of action of either
Convention to be laid before the people, for their
adoption or rejection, and of course to be without
effect until ratified. Nothing was recommended.
but reason and argument, unless oppression should
reach point, which the people should think in
tolerabe; when, according to both parties in this
State, the States may provide for their own safe
ty. The point at which the oppression should be
deemed lntolerable the great matter of differ
cnce between them.
The people have decided against the first step
which was proposed-a Convention of the State
There all action ceases--it is an end of the mat
ter. The peculiar institution fthe South requires
repose for its security. l acquiesce in the decis
ion and hope the country will be restored to quiet
and harmony.
But these matters have no connection with the
Office to which aspire. In no possible manner,
question arise cut of them which can come
before the High Court of the State | have only
alluded to them because, although in my estima-
ticn the question IS entirely settled by the late E.
lection, they still made tominge in the canvass
Ny prctensions are founded, alone, upon my
qualifications for the station. refer to my ser
vice in the Office for the past nine years as the ev-
idence Of those qualifications, and l invite the
strictcst scrutiny into my Judicial conduct. By
that l am than willing to stand or fall. In
times past, you have made the judicial elections
rise far above party consderahons-is there any
reason for q departure from this honored principle
on the present occasion.
am still candidate before you for seat on
the bench Of the High Court, and shall remain SC
until the election. Should you again honor me
with your confidence by renewal ofthc trust,
will repay you, to the best of my ability, by d
faithful discharge ofmy duty.
With profound gratitude for your past kindness,
remain, Your ob't scry't,
ALEX. NJ. CLAYTON.
Holly Springs, Sept. 25th, 1851.