Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-06-14
LETTER FROM GEN. ROBERT STANTON.
OF ADAMS COUNTY, (MIss.)

MrRTIE CorTAeE, MAY 81, 1851.
To the President and Members ofthe State Right,
association Of adams county.
GENTLEMEN am informed through the published pro.
ceedngs Of your meeting, that have bean elected
Vice President Of your Association. feel much honored
by your distinguished consideration but entertaining no de-
sire to be identified with either Of the parties that have SO u-
necessarily convulsed State, beg leave decline the
profered honor have duly considered the questions in
controversy and although strenuous opposer of Of the
features Of the compromise while open for resistance,
that they have become the law of the land favor Of
acquiescng in its provisions. We gain nothing by agi
taon, but, the contrary, hazard much. Our domestic
institution which has been the bone of contention since
the formation Of the Government Is when fur
thest removed from State National excitement shall
regard the days of slavery being numbered whenever it is
made the basis Of party organization. If enemies
determined press to that point from which there be
retreat the entire South, moved by common feeling and
interest," will meet the emergency in manly and
becoming Therefore, let act moderately. Be-
Sides there is most extraordinary in its character going
this between those Of our Northern brethren who
the Constitution and those who anxious to sa
c6ce all that great and sacred upon the altar Of their ia
natica designs II law and order should triumph over mis-
taken philanthropy long uninterrupted peace will be the
happy result if not, the odium Of dsunon will rest where
properly belongs and whatever course policy may char
acerze actions, will be justified in the eyes Of God
and man. speak to you, gentlemen, frankly. feel what
affects the interest honor Of the State equally affects
mine. have inherited all the prejudices Of my native
South. appeal to you not stranger but as Missis-
sppan to fobear lest your pecptancy may bring about all
the evils that must necessarily follow disruption of Gov
eminent regard the secession of State the last resort
It is not justified by the Constitution finds its right alone in
revolution and whenever there sufficient cause for revou
ton, will hand 10 hand with you n favor Of secession
would have the States resist every that tends
consolidation. Yet long there remains hope that
sense Of retrbuve justice will Northern friends to
render unto Cesar the things that Caesars let us pre-
serve the Federal compact has yet been determined
that the will Of the majority is the will Of the whole that
Congress is the judge of the of its own powers and
that State in its sovereign capacity has right to resist the
exercise Of authority the part Of the General Government
not clearly warranted by the Constitution. Until this sdone
the rights Of the minority stand protected against the arta
will Of the majority and that which constitutes the real
beauty and true greatness of Republic preserved in its
original purity.
Permit me, gentlemen, to say, conclusion that it would
aHd me much pleasure reorganization of the Demo
cratic party upon the platform of 1914 and '4s.
Respectfully, your friend and obedient servant
R. STANTON.