Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-11-01
To the Voters ef the Third Judicial District of
the High Cauri Gf Errors and anpeaIS.

have been before you, on TIVE former OCCASION
a. candidate Tor Judicial station. have in both
Instances deprecated the idea of elee,ing the Judi
eiRrv upen party grounds, and have done all in
my power to prevent it. / have endeayored to
pursue the same course, III this instance; and 10
avoid the introduction Of the Southern question in
10 the canvass. My efforts have not been success
ful. Il Is brough hit 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-
LEY of this State, in favor of acquescence in the
Adjustment measures. The people who are SOW
ereign have willed it. To their decision l bow,
without an effort and without a murmur. The
matter, in my judgement, is determined. and
have no intention to disturb it. My great desite is
that it may confer the country all which its best
friends expect of it.
an not, nor have | been, the advocate either
of disunion or secesson-although that charge has
been brought against me. | love my whole coun-
try, with ardent an attachment, as anlmates 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
of you, as to the best means ofetfectlng that
object, there has been no difference between
TO the end in riew-the peace, prosperity, and
happiness of this whole people
In nv 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 ofthe State
was not present al the second meeting of that bo-
dy, having previousl ' resigned my seat.
The address to which my name is annexed, was
drawn bv the committee upon the urgent request
of large meeting of the members of the Legisa-
ture and others, and was intended to set forth the
views of Che State Rights party in a temperate ana
moderate manner That address sets out the doc
trine of the Rights of the States, but does not>
commend in the first instance, thesexercse OF any
of those rights, except the call sta Convention to
ask for redress from Congress Ii that redress
should be refused when asked, then 1t 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 intolerabe, was the great matter of differ
ence between them.
The people have decided against the first step
which was proposed Convention of the State.
There all action ceases-it is an end of the mat
ter. The peculiar institution of the 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 possible manner,
can question arise out of them which can come
before the High Court of the State. | have only
alluded to them because although in my estima-
ton the question is entirely settled by the late E.
lection, they still made to mnge in the
My pretensions founded, alone, upon my
qualifications for the station. refer to my SER
vice in the Office for the past nine years as the
idence of those qualifications, and | invite the
strictest scrutiny into my Judicial conduct. By
that l am more than willing to stand or fall. In
times past, you have made the judicial elections
rise far above party considerations there any
reason for 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 so
until the election. Should you again honor me
with your confidence by a renewal the trust
will repay you, to the best of my ability, by a
faithful discharge ofmy duty.
With profound gratitude for your past kindness,
remain, y our ob't serv't,
ALEX. NJ. CLAYTON.
Holly Springs, Sept. 25th, 1851.