The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-08

me that have been true, faithful and consistent.
But my concern is not for myself. IL Is Tor my
country and the Democratic State rights party.
You remark in your letter, referring to the
late election for the convention: Does II not
then, behooUe every Democrat, and rs not duly
imposed upon eUery Democrat by The very princi-
Piles of his faith, 10 defer 10 thai decision, and IN
good aith Il abide by It's consequences for better
tor ,oorse."
In order to satisfactory answer to this ques-
ton, let us nquire--,ohat has teen decided?
The late laws which passed Congress-, viz :
the admission of California, the proposal to pur-
chase portion of the territory Of Texas, the
abolition of the slave trade in the District Of
Columbia, the organization of territories for
New Mexico and Utah, and the Fugitive-slave
law, are, and have always been admitted to be,
laws of the land. 1t is, and always has been
admitted, that no action whatever OF the State
Of Mississippi can arrest or affect their execu-
ton The Fugitive slave law, alone, requires
the cooperation of the people of the States for
its faithful execution; and every Southern man
will insist upon its strict and faithful Observance
As no action of Mississippi could impede the
execution Of these laws, ms it was impossible
for her TO arrest or Dullify them, though we
might all agree that they were unjust, unequal,
oppressive, and voative of the principles and
spirit of the Constitution, the question arose
what position shall our cherished State assume
towards the general government by whose au-
thority these laws had been passed!
| When this question came up, third party
sprung into existence, drawing its supporters
mainly from the old Wing party. This party
professed an undying devotion to the Union,
and advocated an unconditional acquiescence in
these enactments. They called themselves
Unioni.ts, and with brazeni mpudence, denounced
all those who did not join their ranks as DIS
unionisis. When branded by their opponents
as subn,issionis,s, they denied the charge, and
said that they were not unconditional submls-
sionists; and enumerated sir particular laps,
which they denominated acts of intOlerable
oppression, which would justify resort to
measures Of resistance"
| The Democratic State rights party came to-
gether in council and, in obedience to long
established usage, proclaimed their principles.
They disappFoved OF secession by Mississippi !;
and they also disapproyed of most of these
laws. Their resolutions were in these wor is !:
RESOLVED, That this convention dsaPprove
of the late Congressional legislation, by some
called the compromise; and declare their strong
! and uneuuivoc condemnation Of the following
acts, namely the admission Of California, the
division of the State Of Texas, and the law
usurpiDg to Congress the power to abolish
slavery In the District of Columbia, under the
fraudulent pretence of regulating the slave trade
therein. These are regarded by rs an evidence
of the determination of the North to trample
upon the political rights Of tho RoHthern States (;
to destroy their equality in the Union, and place
the government for all time to come, u'der the
control Of a fanatic and sectional majority.
"Resol,ed, That we can find no adequate ex-
cuse to justify the majority in Congress for fore
ing these measures upon us and we are want
ing in language to express our condemnation of
the Southern Senator or Representative who
voted for the admission of California, the div-
sion OF Texas, and the anti-savery act in the
District of Columbia; while we as emphatically
approve the course of those Representatives
who opposed their adoption and we n,w conf.
IDENTIFY appeal to the people for their verdict and
judgment in the premis es."
This is an issue yet to be tried at the Novem-
Der election The Democratic party, as party,
did not interfere with the convention, and
erected no distinatiye platform for the candi-
dates to that body. 1t was intended to be a
body representing directly the sovereignty of the
people and the convention left each candidate
to take his own position. State rights candi-
dates. generally, took the ground OF resistance
but not by revolution or secession, though their
opponents sought to Impress upon the minds OF
| the people that this was the real ISSUE, Beev-
ing as they did, and all true Democrats do,
in the right of the State to judge of infractions
| of the faderal compact, and for intolerable OPP
preston, to seoeda from the Union their oppo-
nents pretended not comprehend the distinction
between the right to secede, and the exercise OF
that right. If any candidate for the convention,
took the ground that he favored secession for
past enactments by Mississippi, the whole
weight of the Democratic party was against him,
But disappearing of the legislation of Con-
gress on the subject Of slavery, and believing
that the North, flushed with their success in cir
cumscrbng slavery and abolishng II In certain
cases in the District Of Columbia, the State
rights candidates thought II best comported
with the dignity of the State and its true inter,
ests, to express this opinion in convention EN-.
bodying the sovereign will of the State, and to
take steps to effect concert Of action among
the Southern States for the purpose of reclaim
ing, if possible, all the ground which had been
lost, and averting the further blows which
would be aimed at our Institutions, security and
happiness
All parties agreed to refer the whole subject
to the people, and in tina late election, the State
has taken its position.
Mississippi scquiesces In the past Legislation
of Congress. As Democrat, | cheerfully sub
init to the sovereign voice of my State. Our
party especially referred the subject to this tri
bunaI; and to its arbitrament being the party o.
the reople, we will bow with ready obedience
The question now comes up-sha we en-
dorse and approve these measures as right anC
Just and equal and proper? Do we believe tina
Justice has been dealt out TO us with an impair
tia hand Shall those who brought then
upon us, be rewarded with the plaudts of" wei
done good and faithful servant !" and shall thos,
who held out faithful to the end, in contondine
and insisting upon the full measure of on
rights, be driven from the public councils and
discarded as unworthy of trust!
! voted against the admission of California
4 the proposal to divide Texas; the abolition o
the slave trade In the District Of Columbia; 'h'
New Mexico territorial bill. voted for the fu
4 gitive slave law, and the Utah territorial bill
In thus voting, believed the rights Of my con
.tituents were best maintained and their vii
most truly represented.
The Legislature of Mississippi, by unaui
nous vote, declared the admission of California
a,yould ha an act of fraud and opprp ssion on tn