Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-10-04
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Warren County, Sept q5, 1851.
To the Voters Of the Third Judicial District OF
the High Court Of Errors and Appeals.

l have been before you, on. two former occasion,
a candidate for judicial station. have in both
instances deprecated the idea of electing the Judi
ciary upon party grounds and have done all IN
my power to prevent It, | have endeaVored 10
pursue the same course, in this instance; and to
avoid the introduction of the Southern question n-
to the canvass. My efforts have not been success
full. It is brought to bear to some extent, on al
most every candidate for every station. This has
induced me to address You this Circular.
The late Convention election has settled the
policy of this State in favor of acquiescence IN the
Adjustment measures. The people who are SOW
eregn have willed it. To their decision bow,
without an effort and without a murmur. The
matter, in my judgment, is determined, and have
no intention to disturb it, Ny great desire is that
it may confer on the country, all which its best
friends expect oft.
/ am not, nor have l been, the advocate either
of disunion or secesson-although that charge has
been brought against me. l love my whole coun-
try with as ardent an attachment, as aHimates any
human being All my efforts in the late exciting
controversy, have been directed to Securing the
good of the whole, and if have differed from
of you, to the best means Of efecting THAT
object there has been no difference between US as
to the end in view-the peace, prosperity, and
happiness of this whole people.
In my action on this subject have not been a
volunteer, or attempted to be a leader / was a
member of the first Nashville Convention, in con
junction with the other Judges of the High Court,
by the request of both political parties of State.
was not present at the second meeting of that bo-
dy. having previously resigned my seat.
The address to which my name is annexed, was
drawn by the committee upon the urgent request
of large meeting of the members of the Legsla-
ture and others, and was intended to set forth the
views of the State Rights party in temperate and
moderate manner That address sets out the doc
trine of the Rights of the Statesg but does not
commend In the first instance the exercise of any
of those rights, except the call of Convention to
ask for redress from Congress If that redress
should be refused when asked, then it suggests
the callof Southern Convention, to consider OF
s. the grievances of the South, and of the mode and
measures ofredress. The plan Of action of either
Convention to be laid before the people, for their
adoption or rejection, and of course to be without
effect until ratified. Nothing was recommended.
but reason and argument, unless oppression should
reach point, which the people should think in
toerable; when, according to both parties in this
State, the States may provide for their own safe
ty. The point at which the oppression should be
deemed intolerable was the great matter of differ
ence between them.
The people have decided against the first step
which was prcposed-a Convention of the State.
There all action ceases-it is an end of the mat
ter The peculiar institution of the South requires
repose for its security. acquiesce in the decis-
ion, and hope the country viii be restored to quiet
and harmony.
Butytbese matters have no connection with the
office to which aspire. In possible manner.
can question arise out of them which can come
before the High Court of the State. have only
alluded to them because, although in my estima-
ton the question is entirely dby the late e.
lection they Still made to mingle in the canvass
My pretensons are founded, alone, upon my
qualifications for the station refer to nay ser
vice in the Office for the past nine years as the
idence of those qualifications, and l invite the
strictest scrutiny into my judicial conduct. By
that am more than willing to stand or fall. In
times past, you have made the judicial elections
rise far above party consideratlons-is there any
reason for departure from this honored principle
on the present occasion.
am still a candidate before you for seat on
the bench of the High Court, end shall remain so
until the election. Should you. again honor me
With your confidence bya renewal ofthe trust,
will repay you, to the best OF my ability, by a
faithful discharge ofmy duty.
With profound gratitude for your past kindness,
Iremain, Your ob't serv't
ALEX. NJ CLAYTON.
Holly Spring. Sep. ash. 1881.