Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-10-18
To the Voters Of the Third Judicial District Of
the High Court CT ErroIs and Appeals.

have been before you, on two former occasion,
Us candidate for judicial station. have In both
Instances deprecated the idea of electng the Judi
cisry upon party grounds, and have done all in
NV power to prevent it. l have endeavored to
pursue the course, in this instance; and TO
avoid the introduction of the Southern question in
to the canvass Ny efforts have not been success
full. 1t is brought 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
policy of ts State, in favor of acquescence in the
Adjustment measures The people who are SOW
ereign have willed it. To their decision | bow,
without an effort and without murmur The
matter in my Judgment, is determined, and have
no intention to disturb it. Ny great desire is that
it may confer on the country, all which Its best
friends expect oft
am not nor have been, the advocate either
of dsunion or secession-although that charge has
been brought against love my whole coun-
try, with as ardent an attachment, anlmates any
human being. All my efforts in the late exciting
controversy, have been directed to securing the
good of the whole, and if l have differed from
some of you, as to the best means ofeffectng that
object, there has been difference between us as
TO the end in yiew-the peace, prosperity, and
happiness of this whole people.
In my action this subject, have not been a
volunteer, attempted to be leader | was
mSInDcT OF the HrSl NASHVILLE convention, IN con-
junction with the other Judges of the High Court,
by the request of both political parties the State
l was not present at the second meeting of that bo
DIV, having previously resigned my seat.
The address to which my name is annexed was
drawn by the committee upon the urgent request
of large meeting of the members of the Legisa
ture and others, and intended to set forth the
views of the State Rights party in temperate and
moderate manner. That address sets out the doc
trine of the Rights of the States, but does not
commend, in the first instance, the exercise of any
of those rights, except the call of Convention to
ask for redress from Congress. If that redress
should be refused when asked, then it 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
tolerable; when, according to both parties, III this
State, the States may provide for their own safe
ty The point at which the oppression should be
deemed intoerable, was the great matter of differ
ence between them.
The people have decided against the first step
which was proposed-a Convention of the State.
There all action ceases-it is an end of the mat
ter. The peculiar institution ofthe South requires
repose for its security | 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 mingle in the canvass.
My pretenSiOns founded, alone, upon my
qualifications for the station. refer to my SER
vice in the Office for the past nine years the ev-
idence of those qualifications, and l invite the
strictest scrutiny into my Judicial conduct. BY
that l am more than willing to stand fall. In
times past, you have made the judicial elections
rise far above party consderatons-is there any
reason for departure from this honored principl,
on the present occasion.
am still candidate before you for seat OF
the bench of the High Court, and shall remain SC
until the election. Should you again honor me
with your confidence by a renewal ofthe trust,
will repay you, to the best of my ability, by
faithful discharge ofmy duty.
With profound gratitude Tor your past kindness
remain, " our ob't serv't,
ALEX NJ CLAYTON
Holly Springs. Sept 25th, 1851.