The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-12
LETTER FROM Gov. BAGBy.
MONTGOMERY, Nav Q. 285.

MoNTdoM cry, May q, 200l.
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your favor of the 9th ult
inviting me, in behalf Of the citizens of Central
Mississippi, to attend barbecue at Jackson on
the l4th inst, in honor of your distinguished fel-
low-ctizen, Gen. John A. Quitman
The intimate relations so long existing be-
tween the States of Mississippi and Alabama
the deep and common interest they have in the
great question that ovcrhangs and clouds the
future-render the fame and services of their
public men common property; and every move
ment made by one, in reference to public affairs
is subject of real and abiding interest to the
other. Cherishng these Impressions and en-
tertaing the highest respect for the character of
Gen. Quitman, itwould afford me much plea
sure to accept the invitation you have been
pleased to tender me, and participate in the fes-
tivities of which he is the honored Object
But on the present occasion it is impossible.
Unless mistake or greatly overrate the indi-
cations of the times, the period is not distant
in the future when the people in the Southern
States will not only find it necessary to meet
and talk together, but to act together
The operation and effect of the series Of
measures mis- SCALED the compromise, passed by
Congress at the session before the last must, in
my opinion. result in reducing our portion of
the Union to state of degradation and ruin, or
| finally, in dissolution of the Union. 1t is not
to the principle alone involved in these measures
oiious and unjust as that principle is, at which
| look but to the consequences and effects which
must, in my Judgment, inevitably flow from
them. One (and to the Southern States the
most fatal) of these consequences is, that il.
confines the institution of slavery forever to
the limits within which it is at present included
Nothing, in my opinion, is more clearly writ
ten in the book of fate, than that there never
will be another State admitted by Congress
into the Union without an express prohibition
in relation to slavery This, Of itself, would be
an intolerable and, in time, an insufferable evil
1t is to guard against this evil that oppose
! the compromise, and not for the purpose Of as
sailing, with parricidal hands, the Federal Union
If the Union can be preserved according to the
principles Of the Constitution, my prayer with
respect to it is este perpetual. | candidly admit,
however that do not perceive how the Union
can be preserved, and the vital principle Of the
Constitution, the equality of the States, and of
tho citizens of the States evnded, prevented,
viola ed destroyed. The Constitution gave
life to the Union-formed the Unions the
Union, and how one can exist without the other,
is, to me, utterly incomprehensible
There is another thing | am equally incapa-
right and upon what principle it is that they who
have disregarded the spirit Of the Constitution,
and the rights Of the Southera people under the
Constitution should undertake to arrogate TO
themselves the title Of preservers, defenders and
saviors of the Constitution.
When the compromise measures were first
introduced, nineteen-twentieth Of the Southern
members in both houses of Congress were OPP
posed to them--each, and | believe to all of
them. do not, of course, include the Fugitive
slave law That, you well know, was no
part of the compromise originally, but came
from different quarter And yet some of
those who in the beginning, denounced these
measures in the severest terms, have come for
ward and insist that the support and approval of
these very measures thus denounced by them
shall be made the great test Of political ortho-
doxy, and the trne standard of attachment and
devotion to the Union.
BY what process in legislation or political
chemistry that which is said TO wrong in all its
elements and all its facts became right AZ
'ohole, is beyond my powers of comprehension
But, gentlemen you and the patriotic and in
telligent community by which you are sur
rounded ,.and Of which you constitute part no
donbt are deeply sensible of your rights and OF
your wrongs and so far as remedies are con-
cerned or may become necessary, are much more
capable Of judging than | am. For one, how.
ever I have great confidence in the efficacy and
efficiency Of Democrats principes.-Ihey he at
the foundation Of the Constitution. They con
sttute the great main pillars Of the Union. They
have been, and must continue to be, the sources
Of all our prosperity and greatness, glory and
renowr A. people. Democratic principles, the
Constitution and the Union must flourish and
triumph together, or they must fall and perish