The Yazoo Democrat., 1851-08-13


in contraventon ofthe Constitution. Il is
4 true that no party has just claim TO an ez-
elusive property in this doctrine. Ii had
! sometimes found countenance and favor
with the Wings, whilst rejected and denied
by distinguished Democratic leaders. This
was especially the case in the disastrous
days fthe Proclamation and of the Forcs
J Bill. But to contend that no Democrat has
J ever publicly favored it, is position strange
lyinconsderate and ineaudous for a state s.
man SO discerning and sagacious. Democrat
Iic state esmen Of the highest character. even
| Democratic States, have given proof Of their
adherence to the doctrine. When jackson
Numbered from the White House that federal
document called 'the Proclamation;'' Virgin.
ia. justly alarmed, repudiated its doctrine,
by q solemn act Of her Legislature, which
was unanimously passed, if my memory
serves me, The Richmond Enquirer de-
nounced IN trumpet tones The deep and dan
gerous tenor Of its prIncipIs and the demo
cratic press generally, echoed the voice Of
the Richmond Enqirer. Even the men who
hailed it al first (ed away by their devotion
10 Jackson) renounced it afterwards as wrong
and pernicious, and in few months after
its publication. the rank and file of the Dem
ocratic party entirely abjured il as political
heresy. Randolph, Giles, Macon, Taylor,
Roane, Tazzewel, have all testified in
behalf Of this right-repudiatiRg at the
same time (al' but one Of thsm-Mr. Tazze
welD the right of State to nullify a law Of
the United States and yet TO continue in the
| Union. Permit me this question, General
What is the meaning of Kentucky and Of Vir
| gina when they assert in their famous reso
| t,ttio oc Rha oh
pose its sovereign authority, and to declare
law of ths United States null and of no
force? These resolutions were cautiously
drawn; they were drawn as you know by
Jefferson and Madison. What is the mean
! say X means to assert tho right of nullihca
ton as it is called. Must it not then mean
to assert the right of secessionl For how
can State interpose it's sovereign authority
and declare law of Congress void, except
by either remaining in the Union and nullify
ing the law, or by taking the first step to
wards going out Of the Union with view to
bring about repeal of the obnoxious law?
You have your choice of the horns Of the
dilemma-for you will scarcely be able TO
deduce from the language and spirit Of these
celebrated documents, an assertion Of the
I - vi Ha
have done with the subject.
| You may remember that when we last
met, you expressed the idea that the differ
ence between US respecting the right of
State secession, was a difference upon a
point merely abstract; and that in the ap>
| pllcation OF the theory Of either of US, the
results and the consequences would be the
same. II was TO combat this idea as well
as publicly to express for myself (what you
say IN your note you are in the habit of pub
licly expressing for me)-mv own opinions
that have written this letter, Gou may
not be so clearly of opinion now ''that tic
proposed Convention of Mississippi AMI
Carolina" is the only point left open be.
tween the two parties now contending for
victory IN Mississippi. We State Rights
men think that it is Of primary importance
that the Convention of November shall
distinctly affirm the right OF State secession,
ard determination to stand by any State
that may choose to exercise il. Nor is this
"the only really practical point left open
between the parties now contendIng for
victory in Mississippi" There are others;
but they have been too often and too thor
oughly examined by our public speakers to
authorize notice Of them here. 1t is the
denial of the sovereignty of the States (the
denial of the right of secession involves a
denial of their sovereignty which is at last
to uni:e lin my opinion) the unhappy and
distracted South. 1t is palpable that moth
ing else can do it. Party spirit, and the
patronage of the government together,
would keep the South divided for all time
to come. Athens was divided against it
self in the days of Demostnenes and Philip,
| The demagogues of that daY were all clam
orous for submission. History informs us
that they had thei: reasons for it. The
"Gasyt SGcrG flames" scarcely died with
them. 1t is passion which is said to be
immortal. You. from your unsupported
honesty; from your acknowledged ability
and patriotism, have cleared the way for
I others less firm of purpose or scrupulous as
to motives. 1t was sad hour for the
South when one of her most gifted sons
| drawing after him ''third part of our
host, lent his assistance to the advocates
of consolidation Webster, Clay, and oth-
ers. "Non tall au1iLio, nee defe1ss0ri6aS
gSt1S tGnsp1S eget." yet cherish the hope
that you may see the error of your way
If You should, your past life is guarantee,
Shat neither pride Of consistency, nor the
force of fcompanionship, can retain you with
a party whose conduct your Judgment dis
approves. IL this communication (Which
has been longer than intended have studied
| 70 observe that decorum and courtesy which
should always mark the intercourse Of gen
tlemen. fany expression has escaped me
which shall appear to you to be inconsis-
tent with our past kindly and friendly :e>
lations, shall 5e mortified and panied As
IF iz vonr Xvish (siCnifiads 1,of IN ,,nur4 note