The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-10

Z.
H. s. FOoTE
Hon LUKE LEA, Commissioner sc.
WAsnINcToN, Jan. s, ISL.
GENTLEnEN: have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cept oil your note OF yesterday requesting to author
ze the publication of letter addressed 10 me by the Hon
VIM. L. Sharkey, OF Mississippi II is evident that the
letter not written with avew TO publication; but as
with you the hope that its publication at this
time will be productive OF public good, feel warranted
in complying with your request The letter saccordngly
Very respectfully.
Hon w p MAsGum and Hon. H. s FoorE
JACKSON, Dec "a, 1850.
DEAR SIR 1t affords me pleasure to acknowledge the
receipt Of your esteemed favor OF the 7h instant
ply would have been forwarded earlier day, but for
temporary absence You express desire to know the
true state of public sentiment in Mississippi can only
give you my own opinion, formed from the best lights
before me- That the Union party has very large ma
iory at present is. think beyond dispute Indeed. this
is conceded by many OF the opposite party but they
pect accession OF strength from northern agitation
and the movements elsewhere. Public opinion was for
time very much unsettled but the excitement is
yielding to disposition for quiet acquiescence in the
recent compromise measures passed by Congress. The
result OF the Georgia election has had considerable in
fuence in bringing about this state Of things Notwth
vailed, public opinion was not truly reflected by the
Legislature in Its resistance That body
elected with view TO the exciting questions then before
the country; and as public opinion was not definitely
known few leading spirits welded the action Of the
body to suit their own views. 1t is very certain that
of the members from the central and southern por
tons OF the State did not truly represent the wishes Of
their constituents; and this doubtless the with
OF the members from the northern part OF the State
The session was characterized by marked determla
ton to lead public opinion The governor, you know
had taken high stand, and OF desired to be
tanned and he aided by the presence and influence
q e
State, who seemed strangely enough TO have happened
to be here at that particular Time Two circumstances
contribute very greatly 10 swell the number OF dscon
tents In the first place. the democratic party has as
you know, large majority in the State. Party leaders,
with few exceptions, have taken stand in favor OF
sstance, and they sustained by the party press with
only few exceptions Under such circumstances, it
is difficult for many who have been in The habit OF uniting
with their party break of, though many have honorably
done In the next place. the true is kept out OF
view Dsunion presented the necessary end Of
sstance In this way many who not satisfied with the
admission OF California are induced TO unite with the
resistance party and It is true that there are but lew,
very few who entirely satisfied with all the meas
ures OF the Adjustment Thus stands public opinion
and if things continue in their present state, have
no doubt convention will be conservative body,
probably by an overwhelming majority. But, IN view OF
the existing feeling, is easy TO oresee that TINS prospect
nigh. be changed entirely oy the ACTON ne OF The present
California because believe the constitution not
violated, and not because full justice done to the
South This believe, is a very general sentiment The
fugitive slave bill We had constitutional right to de
mand; this has been conceded us. and the Wilmot
Proviso not attached to the territorial governments
In this too our demand was complied with To the ad
justment Of the Texas question we can valid OBJ
lection. We cannot submit TO the features OF the Com
promise which we did not approve, and which We think
peludical TO and at the time be
deprived OF the clear constitutional rights which it
cures to us. We constantly told by opponents
that the fugitive slave bill will be repealed and many
induced 10 believe H. Congress might well al
dissolve, and break up the Union An explosion would
not more certainly follow the application OF lighted
match TO the touch hole OF loaded cannon, than will
disruption OF this Union follow the repeal OF the fugitive
slave bill There is division of opinion this sub
lect The most conservative will not pause then
and say this advsedly and with as much devotion TO
the Union any one enlerains. have heard but one
opinion this subject-al of all parties speak the
same language. An actual repeal OF the law do not
fear as long Mr. Fillmore is President, His message
has given great Satisfaction, and has aided much but
the repeal OF the law by the two houses of Congress
would, in all probability be equally fatal its actual
repeal Any serious modification which might tend to
weaken the law would have the effect. In short,
any interference with any OF the compromise
which might further abrdge the right OF the South would
be fatal to the Union. And the same consequence will
follow If the fugitive slave bill cannot be enforced Thus
II will be that the northern people hold the desnes
of the nation. They can put down the abolitlonsts
cannot and they will not, the Union is lost The
South cannot yield any further. Even the agitation OF
the slavery question: either in or out OF Congress- would
be exceedingly dangerous. Many of us prepated 10
make allowances for the agitation OF few fanatics in
particular ocalites-t is nothing more than had
pected but these things used here by the press to
excite the public mind, which is not in the best condi-
ton 10 look dispassonatey at passing events of that
character. The Boston affair and the movement in Yer.
mont have had unfortunate effect They counter
acted in great degree, to be sure, by the great Union
movement throughout the North. We rejoice at the
spread OF the great movement which commenced in New
York the whole North would bu, follow that patri-
otto example, we might defy our opponents Our people
would become satisfied that the whole North not
against them We stand in critical situation, and need
the aid Of the North. II receive il, the Union
may be saved and we sincerely hope that il may be
cheerfuly accorded is ardenty desired My dear
sir, if you exert any influence, do We moi
yet despondng. though see the danger, but will sug
gle on, hoping that we may avoid that catastrophe
which, Of all others, is most to be dreaded If the pres
ent session Of Congress should pass of quietly, it will
strengthen the confidence Of The South But they must
also abstain for the future, is but question to
time. The South will be content with nothing less than
a total abandonment of the disputed ground
have thus, my dear sir given you general outline OF
the state of things in Mississippi, and believe is
true one Your knowledge OF the people OF the State
will aid you in Judging Of the probable of things
from what have said | shall be pleased to hear from
you when il may suit your convenience.
Your friend and obedient servant,
w. L. SHARKEY.
Hon. LUKE LEA.