Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1851-06-13

From the Sumter Democrat.
IUIfI tut SuIIIItI DtIIIUCIdt'
LIVINGSTON, Ala May 7th, 81.

LIVINGSTON, Ala, May 7th, 81.
Mr. EDIroR:
| have observed with great
observation-disclosures of the good feeling
which it inplies-the unanimous concur
renee of the Democratic Press of the Dis
trict in presenting my name for reelection
TO Congress. This announcement was
made in every instance with knowledge of
nv wish to retire from Office, but neverthe-
less with my assent. The change of cir
cumstances In the last few weeks, in my o.
piuion, relieves me from the obligation thus
assumed and justifes me in declining
the honor which has been so generously
proffered.
Being personally ayerse to continuance
n Congress, nothing less could induce me
again to become a candidate, than the con-
viction that some important political result
depended upon my success. Some weeks
since, it was believed, that the district
would be contested by our political adver-
saries, and into such contest, I should
have entered with zeal and energy. Now,
it is apparent, that no whig candidate would
enter into competition with me, and that if
any opposition were offered, (which is not
probable, J it would come from some aspi-
rant in our own ranks. There is then obyi-
ously no party necessity requiring me to
become a candidate; no triumph of party
could be achieved, because our adversaries
admit our irresistible strength and disband
their organization before us. Nor do [ see
in the present condition of popular opinion
on the subject of slavery, and the aggres-
sions of the Federal Government upon the
rights of the South, that my reelection to
Congress would be productive of any patblic
benefit. All the recent indications of
Northern sentiment-the election of Fish,
Wade and Sumner, to the Senate; the riots
of the mob in opposition to the fugitive slave
law; the resolutions of Northern Legisla-
lures and the anathemas of Northern
churches-demonstrate a union of the
masses of the North in hostility to slavery;
whilst the South is divided, and SO weaken
ed by division, that the time is apparently
nigh when she viii be incapable of self
preservation, in or out of the Union. [
have always maintained that prior to the a.
doption of the late miscalled compromise,
the South united, could have permanently
controlled the action of the Federal Govern
ment in reference to slavery. The defeat
of the Wilmot Proviso to which the North
chung with passionate tenacity, is due ex-
clusively to the united opposition of the
South. The same union would have de-
feated the miscalled compromise, and OBJ
tanned the adoption of the Missouri line a.
cross our Mexican acquisitions, with dis
tinct recognition of the right of shareholders
TO that portion of the territory south of the
line.
The passage OF the measures of the last
Congress is the handwriting on the wall
announcing the extinction of slavery, or the
ultimate destruction of the Union; and in
opposing them, [ claim to have been actua-
ted not less by a regard to Southern rights,
than by patriotic devotion to the Union,
which it was my anxious desire to uphold
in It's prestine purity, and to perpetuate to
/ the last generation of men. So much fol
( the past action of Congress; and with the
record of that Congress before us, and the
responses of the Northern people since
made, and now being made, can any man
however sanguine, or confding, or slavish
expect the Federal Government to change
its policy towards the South? If it were
now to pause and leave its own unfinished
work of ofemancipation and destruction to the
certain corsummation of time, what human
agency could avert our terrible destiny?-
But there viii be no pause; agitation viii
go on; aggression will go on; and the abjec
minority of the South in the two houses o
Congress, no longer authorized to proclaim
resistance, will retain the poor privilege o
recording in srlllen shame their ineffectua
votes. In every department of the Fedora
Government the power of the North is su
preme. It is indeed the government of the
North controlled and directed by men ut
terly hostile to the antagonist section.-
During the agitation on the subject of The
stamp act our ancestors refused a represent
alton in the British Parliament, because /;
minority representation would have beer
powerless to resist oppression, and theil
participation would have been claimed as
sanction to oppressive Legislation. Such i.
now the effect of our participation in the
Federal Government.
Sincerely entertaining these views of oul
Federal relations, and of the past and fu
ture action of Congress, my friends and
former constituents will, am assured, ap
preciate the motives which constrain me tc
decline the pursuit of a position, in which ]
could neither serve them, nor attain the
rightful ends of an honorable ambition.
In conclusion, must do justice to my
own feelings, by expressing my profound
gratitude to the people of this district fol
their generous confidence and suppor.in al
the fiery trials of political strife. / have
the consolation of knowing that since my
first entrance into public life, my majorities
at every successive election have increased
that despite the open efforts of organized
opposition, and the secret arts of misrepre
sentation and calumny, the people have
triumphantly sustained me.
Very respectfully,
S. w. INGE.
To the Editors of the .Sumter Democrat.