The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-19
I,etter from Gov. Lumpkin

The following letter from Governor WILSON
LUMpxis of Georgia, addressed to JOHN A.
CurHBEar, esq, of Alabama, appears in the Mo-
bile Tribune. The letter was not written for
publication, but is given to the public for the
views which it expresses Of venerable and dis
tinguished Southern statesman, on the public
topics of the day. In introducing this letter,
Dir. CUTHBERr says:
"Governor Lumpkin has long been one Of
the most distinguished and influential citizens Of
Georgia. He was for several years member
of the State legislature then representative
in Congress; then governor Of the State for two
terms; and after thst, senator in Congress
Some years ago he withdrew from the troubled
scenes of political life, to close his days in the
peaceful shades of independent retirement
Such a man has nothing to gain from strife and
agitation; and his letter expresses the conyc-
ton of disinterested patriot, who has had the
best opportunities of observing the operations
Of the federal government, and the conduct Of
public men; and whose judgment has been ma
tured by experience, and made more profound
by peaceful reflection. And it CLOVIS with the
spirit Of true-hearted Southern man, who is in
dgnant ut the oppression of his country"
ATHENS, Ga, Feb. %, 1851.
Hon. John A. Cuthbert:
DEAR SIR Your recently published letter to
Col Gayle, on hesubject Of the present relations
Of the Southern States to the confederacy, in
duces me to renew our long suspended cores
pondence. Your letter calls up wildly many
recollectons of the past, connected with our
long political struggles, to advance what we be-
lieved to be the best interest of our common
country.
Our very intimate relations for four years, at
a most critical period of our republic, and the
unity of spirit which then nctuated us, has left
an abiding feeling of kind regard for you on my
mind, which time will never oblterate. Both of
us had disrelish" for South Carolina nuif-
cation; yet we were as firmly based on all the
doctrines of State rights as Jefferson, Madison,
Calhoun, or Troup, and on that foundation we
still stand. Indeed, we have no hope for the
perpetuity of the federal Union, except in an
honest strict adherence to the constitutional
compact of our confederacy, which was intended
to form a more perfect Union, establish justice,
ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the general welfare
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves
and to our posterity.
My dear sr-I have labored long and faith.
fully to preserve and perpetaate the federal
Union Of our fathers. But the systematic, long
continued and oft-repeated aggressions of the
Notwithstanding States upon the constitutional
| rights of the South, the sectional character oil
those aggregated assaults together with the
openly avowed and advancing determination OF
a despotic majority to oyerturn and abolish our
| cherished institutions--to which ght be super
added various other determined violations of the
federal compact all of these causes combined,
IL H.
eases of our country incurable. The patient is
in state of despair.
slime was" Is there yet time9 Time
will soon be no more" II there yet be time,
why do not the South unite and made proper
use Of it? The desperate demagogues-the
| tricksters--the office seekers-the camp fol-
lowers, for the loaves and fshes-these are the
mercenaries misleading the honest masses of the
South.
| IF there be any salvation for the South, the
people, Hercules-like, must lay their shoulders
to the wheels. They have nothing left TO depend
upon for their future security and safety but
united action in SELF defence. BY this they might
yet preserve themselves, and probably preserve
the federal Union. All other hopes are perfectly
and wholly idle; all other expedents are suici-
dial. They must assert their own rights, and
protect themselves Northern pride and fanati-
cism must be met by Southern valor, indepen-
dence and the most determined spirit of resist
ance. ! consider the argument exhausted"
] The only choice now left to the South is de-
graded, abject, unconditional submission to the
tyranny of a hostile permanent majority, gov
erned by no law but their own will or manly re-
sistance rebellion, If you please. have been
spared to see my three-score years and eight
Circumstances from my boyhood taught me the
value (under Cod of self-relnnce and indepen-
derce. That spirit has sustained me through
all the grades of an American citizen. have
held the plough, driven the team, and have been
numbered with those in high places ] have
thought, have read, upon the past and present
My apprebensions of the future, if gloomy, are
nevertheless based on experience, reflection, and
history. Most of our Southern politicians are
CORFU ted by the brides of office. The faithful
amongst the faithess deserve our highest re.
gard and confidence.
My family write with me in best regards fol-
you and yours. As ever, most truly yours,
WILSON LUMPKIN.
/ eN