The southern press., 1851-06-30
MIR. THOMPSON'S REPLY.
OXFORD, Mas, June


MR.. THOMPSON'S REPLY.
OXFORD, Miss, June 10th 1851.
GrsrLEmRN Your letter of the I'd instant,
was duly received and its contents seriously and
thoroughly considered
confess the fact of your nomination OF me
as the candidate for Congress from this district,
was learned with some surprise, after my re-
peated declaration of a determination to with
draw from the field as contestant for this dis
tinguishcd post But am not insensible Of
the honor you have done me, by this free-wil
expression Of your confidence and partIaity. |
feel as deeply as any one can, the magnitude and
importance Of the present crisis, and had not my
private affairs, and my duties to my family been
of the most urgent nature, should never have
asked relief from the responsibilities which ap-
pertain TO public station at this time. But my
interest in the public veal is too deep for me to
hesitate as to the course ought now 10 pursue,
when the partial friends whose confidence /
have so long enjoyed unanimously and zealously
demanded Of me to forget self in remembrance
of the cause of our country.
trust then gentlemen that our effort shall be
to harmonize and unite our people. Every man
should exert himself to effect this result--we
are contending for the common rights, safety
anu IldppiTcho VI All lbD PCoP'p ~ "a upA =
nv duty or your lty to strain every nerve to
maintain intact the rights Of the South, than it
is that of the most Jealous advocate Of the
spoation measures of the last Congress.
But when prophets arise and teach that the
South must make concession Of constitutional
rights, for the sake ofthe Union, they inculcate
doctrine which humiliates us, and which will
inevitably involve our children in rretrieveable
ruin. Would to Heaven our people could be
inspired with the same loyalty and fidelity to their
own section, which Daniel Webster processes for
the North. "If the South" says he in his late
Buffalo speech against the acquisition of slave
territory, swish any concession from me, they
wont get it, not hairs breadth Off II they
come to my house for it, they will not find it, il
they do, concede nothing"
! admire the spirit which dictates such a
sentiment hate the craveness of its opposite,
had the South acted with unanimity upon this
principle throughout her struggles on the subject
of slavery, her position would now have been
far different. Belonging to the weaker section
whose institutions were assailed, sshe ought to
have been the more scrupulous and punctous,
in insisting on the full measure of her rights,
and in adhering to them.
In my Judgment, this is the only sure and cer-
tain means of perpetuatipg the Union of these
States--as long as there is virtue and hrmness
among the people to ask for nothing but what
is right and to submit to nothing that is wrong,
so long we will continue united prosperous
and happy people--so soon MS am convinced
the South demands anything from general gov
ernment that Is not right just and proper, that
moment cease TO advocate the demend; but
when she asks and demands justice and right,
however weak she may be, and however numer-
Gus the deserters from her cause. still viii
cleave to her with the fondness and devotion of
a child TO its mother. The demand for justice
by resolute freemen is stronger than an army
with banrers, the love OF justice holds dominion
in the heart of every patriot: and no government
on earth can long stand which perpeirates in
justice. The foundation stone of the throne OF
the most High rests upon justice, and were il
removed his kingdom. which Is from eternity,
would crumbe and fall. Let MS then inscribe
on the flag Of the Democratic State rights party
that motto which has received the sanction and
appreciation of the wise and good of all ages
Fiat .justiiia raut CGlum.
After the straitest Sect yon know have been
Democrat and nl my works have squared
with my faith After the straitest sect | have
also been Southern man. look to the whole
Union as my country, but my heart is in the
South, and just in proportion rs she is revied
and despitefuy used, and abandoned by her
own cons, so my love grows stronger and my
resolution TO stand by her, becomes more stead
fast--such must be the unanimous sentiment of
the people Of this district, when properly under
stood. Ours is proud an independent, true
people. But they are coniiding people they
may be mslead by false clamors and deceived
by misrepresentation for while; but they
cannot be betrayed into an effort to pull down
those who are breasting the storm, to MAINTAIN
their rights, their equality, their interests, and
their honor
With the hope then that by my feeble effort,
| may be able to unite all those who oppose the
unequal and unjust taxation sought to be fas-
tened upon us by this administration, it's waste
ful and unparalleled extravaganza for unau-
,horised objects, its oyershadowing and rapidly
increasing patronage, ITS anti-slavery and con-
solidating tendencies, which exert corrupting
influence upon the Office loving among us, as
well as those who are ready TO hold out and not
grow faint in defending and maintaining South.
ern rights, equality and honor. | shall at your
request lecome candidate for Congress, and
again thrown myself upon the indulgence of the
good people Of this district for this appreciation
and support Your obt servt,
J. THOMPSON.
] rr