The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-17
From the JMississippian--Erira.
Resignation Of Governor Quitman

sufirages, Governor of this State NV term of
office commenced with my Inauguration ON the
10th Of January, 1850. BY the provisions OF
the constitution, it will expire on the 10th OF
January, 1852 In the middle of my term OF
Office, and in the active discharge of its duties
! am to-day arrested by the United States Mar
shall of the Southern district Of Mississippi, by
virtue of process, originating out of charges ex.
hlblted against me in the district court of the
United States for the Eastern district of Loui.
sana, for an alleged violation of the neutrality
law OF 1915 Ivy beginning, setting on foot, and
furnishing the means for a military expedition
against the Island of Cuba
! Under the charges, the marshal is directed to
arrest me, and remove my person to the city oil
New Orleans, there to be tried for these alleged
offences
Unconscious OF having, in any respect, VIC.
lated the laws OF the country: ready at all times
to meet any charge that might be exhibited
against me, have OILY been anxious, in this
extraordinary emergency, to follow the path Of
duty. AS citizen, it was plain and clear
must yield to the lazy, however oppressive O,
unjust in my case but, as Chief Magistrate OF
sovereign State, had also in charge he,
dignity, her honor, and her sovereignty, which
| could not permit to be violated in ny person
Resistance by the organized force of the State
while the federal administration is in the hands
OF men who appear to Geek some occasion to
test the strength of that government, wou
result IN violent contests, much to be dreaded
IN the present critical condition of the country
Inc whole South, patient as she is under en-
croachment, might look with some jealousy
upon the employment of military force to re-
move Southern governor from the jurisdiction
OF his State, when it had been withheld from
her citizens seeking to reclaim fugitive slave
in Massachusetts.
On the other hand, the arrest and rcbe re
moyal from the State Of her Chief Executive
magistrate for an indefinite period of time
would not only be a degradation of her SOW
eighty, hut must occasion incalculable injury
and disaster TO the interests of the State BY
the entire suspension of the Executive functions
of her government. The Constitution has moi
contemplated such an event rs the forcbe alb
duction of the Governor 1t has not provided
for The performance the duties by another Of
ilecr except IN the case Of racancy. Such VA
cancy cannot happen while there is Governor,
though he be prisoner to foreign power
Although he may be absent and incapable of
performing his duties, he ia still Governor, and
no other person can execute his flee
/ IL follows, therefore, tina. in such case, the
State weuld practically suffer some of the evils
Of anarchy. The pardoning power would be
lost Officers could not be commissioned or
qualified the Great Seal of the State could not
be used vacancies in Office could not be filed /:
fugiiives from justice could not De reclaimed or
surrendered; the public works, the operations OF
the Pententiary, and all repairs Of public
buildings must stop for want of legal requsi-
tons to defray the expenses thereof The sale
OF State lands, and the location Of recent grants
must be suspended.
/ Inc convention OF the people, called at the
iist session OF the Legislature, could not assem-
BILE for want Of wrlts Of election. In case Of
the death or resignation Of the administrative
officers OF the State government, these important
offices, including the treasury, would be left
without the superintendent or care Of any
authorised person. IN fine, the whole govern
ment of the State would be in confusion and
great Inconvenience, and perhaps irreparable
injury flow from such state of things For all
these evils there is but one remedy. That re-
medy is my resignation.
| therefore, fellowcitizens, now resign the
high trust confided to my hands, with no feeling
OF personal regret, except that could not serve
you better; with no feeling of shame for am
Innocent of the causes which have induced the
necessity OF this step. On the contrary, al
though personally ] fear no Investigation and
shun no scrutiny, have spared no efforts con-
slstent with selfrespect to avert this result SO
soon as ] learned that attempts would be made,
under an act of Congress of the Inst session, TO
remove me from this State. formally offered
to the proper aathoritics OF The United States
any pledge or security to appear in New Or
leans, and meet the charges against me, so soon
az m, term of Office should expire and re-
monstratcd against Tho ina,ga,,y thus about to
be offered, not to myself, but to the State in
dragging away from his duties, her chief magis-
trale,
My proposlti was not accepted, and my re-
Honstrance not needed
1t is not for me TO complain You ar. the
faggrieved party. My course in this matter
meets the approval of some of the most patriotic
citizens near me. sincerely hope as It was
dictated alone by my sense Of duty TO the State,
il may meet the appreciation of my fellow-cit-
liens.
! thus PARTING from my generous constit-
uents, il would be proper to give them an
count Of my stewardship during the short but
interesting period that have acted rs their pub
iic servant, but the official connection between
us has been so summary and unexpectedly
severed, that must defer the grateful task TO
future day
have but to add that during my short but
exciting period Of service, l have in all things
striven TO be faithful and true to the rights the
interests, aud the honor of the State. For this,
have been abused and caumniatcd Ivy the en-
enlies of the South. Treachery and faithless-
ness would have secured favor and praise from
lie same sources. ~.
Fellow-citizens, now take my leave of you
with gratitude for the generous support ycu have
extended to me, and with cheering confidence
that your honor and your interests may be safely
confided to the hands Of t faithful and able
son Of Mississippi, who, as President OF the
Senate succeeds to my place.
NH&fr John A. QUITMAN,
Executive Chamber, Jackson, Monday Even
ing, February 3, 1851,