Southern standard., 1851-08-23
Gen. Quitman'S Speech,

We listened attentivey to the public address of this
gentleman, and those points in his Message which
have ELECTED so much controversy, are definitely,
and as far we concerned, distinctly understood
Whatever of doubt we may have heretofore entertain
ed as to the construction of that document we now
prepared to say that twill receive at our hands, at all
times full and free defence. We know from the lips
ofthe writer his meaning, object and aim With this
we are satisfied. His Interpretation of his meaning
and Intentions good against the construction of all
comers-he best knew his object and the declarations
he made as given in his words in another column
as near as it was possible to get them at the time,
prove that he has not only been grossly but shameful
ly, misrepresented by the Union party. We shall
therefore stand by this message taking the writer's
the only true construction of it. We shall not argue
with opponents to what should be we take it as
it is, and with the explanation of Governor Qutman,
we know it to be triumphantly defensibe. If oppo-
nents say that Gen. Quitman does not mean what he
says he means, have no question of dispute with
them, for then they charge him with falsehood. We
shall spend no time space on such opponents. We
take it for granted that time be useully
employed At any rate have no disposition to con-
tend with any such men.
| We had reason to fear that Governor Quitman was
too ultra for u.s. We large and respectable par
ty in this State to the world that he was
disunonist-that he proposed to carry the State of
Mississippi out of the Union The Union party press
throughout the entire State declared day after day
Every Union party orator that have heard for
months past has sung the same song. On every cor
ner, and in every crowd the same song has greeted
our Even down to that inimitabe clown, H. S.
Foote the song had descended, and he rehearsed it
he invoked high Heaven to attest its truth. What
were we to do. Suppose we did doubt Had not
H. S. Foote in regard to the construction placed upon
Cass' Nicholson letter called on high Heaven in as
serting the construction right and truthful He had
He deceived us then-that his fault-f he had de-
ceived again, it would have been our fault So we
determined to bide our time. This brought upon us
the unknd thoughts and words those who were
easier of belief. Some of warmest friends have
upbraided for not taking Gen Quitman up, and ur-
ging his election. With doubt as to his soundness
as a true Union mind, we would have per-
mtted every friend to desert U.S. and the Standard to
perish for the lack of support, before would have
raised hand in his defence, until that doubt was re-
moved. We have pointed them to the assertions of
the presto what the public speakers asserted-to
the general conversation of the intelligence of the
Union party as an evidence that their hopes might in
sone uegree mlseao tnem Many have lett us morti-
fed and chagrined. We deplored this But as con-
vncng proof that should not act too hasty we have
pointed them to the avowas of Senator Foote who
gain and again declared that Quitman was secession
ist Did senator Foote attempt deceive the honest
yeomanry of the State Has the Union press and Or
ators attempted the thing? Let Gen. Quitman
answer.
/ He said that the action of the June Convention met
his decided appreciation, and he read the 18th resou-
ton which declares distinctly that secession is mex
pedient and that that convention dsapproved of the
exercise of that right by the State under existing cir
cumstances. He further stated that his message rec
commended but one subject to the legslature--that
was convention. To the action of that convention
he said he should heartily yield The action of that
convention before it be binding has to be submit
ted to the PEOPLE at the BALLOT-BOX If Gen.
Qultman is secessonis he does not move by paral-
! lels at least
/ But we have said enough-our friends and readers
be able to gather not only the apparent but positive
hesitancy in this press in taking the General up and
defending him. This is real Union Paper Its real
object is to preserve the Union. But we know that
the cry of Union Glorious Union, has no preserving
spirit in it, and hence got of the way of that par.
y which yield up substantial constitutional Southern
Rights, and yet holds up hands and cries out Union