Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-05-10

and since the passage of the fugitive slave BILL It's
operation has generally been defeated by cunning
legal devices, vexatious interventions, and some
times by open violence.
A spirit hostile to slavery pervades most, if not
all, the non slaveholding States and in my iudg-
ment, this hostility is becoming daily more active,
more practical and consequently more dangerous
The SO called Compromise, instead of allaying it,
by yielding up all the public territory, appears
to have stimulated this fell spirit to efficient
action.
In the great States of New York and Ohio, the
recent contests for Senators have resulted in the
election of men prominent for their extreme anti
slavery principles; and in Massachusetts,, the con
test lies between free soiler and an avowed abo-
litonist.
Not one of the States whose statute books con
tans laws to prevent the delivery up of fugitives
from labor, was even formally acccded to the Clay
and Foote Compromise, by repeating their obnox-
ious laws, and complying with their constitutional
duty; and the most influential non-slaveholding
States in spite of the exertions of those polit-
clans whose fate hangs on the success of their So
called Compromise, show fixed determination to
repeal essentially change the fugitive slave law.
In fine, hostility to slavery has never, in my opn-
ion, assumed so organized and dangerous a charac-
ter as it has done since the Wilmot Proviso was
settled by excluding slavery from the territories,
by the new and more effective means of the Cali
fornia and Mexican law provisos.
If there have heretofore been any grounds for
action on the part of the Southern States, to avert
the impending evil, or to prepare for self-protec-
ton if the evil could not be arrested, they exist
now in a much greater degree than when the peo-
pie of Mississippi, under the the advice of distin-
guished citizens of both political parties, assem-
bled in Convention declared that the time had
come when the Southern States should take coun-
sci together and devise and adopt some mode of
resistance to these aggressons, and resolved that
they, representing the feelings and opinions of the
people of Mississippi, would not submit to an ex-
cusion from the public domain, nor to any act
which would impair the equality of the States.-
TO the substance of these resolutions, which ap-
peared at that time to meet with general approba-
ton, trust and hope the people of Mississippi will
adhere, regardless of the senseless cry OF g Dis
union"
The political equality of the States is the vital
principle of the Constitution. Upon its strict
maintenance depends our liberties. We not
permitted to surrenderit, even topurchase tempo
rary peace for ourselves. 1t is a sacred inherit
ance bequeathed by our sires, which it is our duty
to transmit, unimpaired to our children. If as
sailed we must defend it, though the Union perish
in the contest. But firmly and infexibly to insist
upon all our constitutional rights, and maintain
them at all hazards is the only mode of preserving
justice and equal rights. If the measures com
planned of are just and proper, we should submit
TO them without complaint. If not, and our Con-
stitutonal rights be violated, or our equality in
the Union be denied we should insist upon them
with confidence and without fear of consequences
Those who counsel acquiescence and submission
to sovereign States, must defend the measures
complained of, right, proper, and constitutional
A free people, Jealous of their liberties will not
hD aAy bp,iS tn
and oppression. Humility and meekness
sometimes virtues in individuals, but they
faults, if not crimes, in States. Political communi-
ties must assert their rights, will concede
them The true issues, then, in State are,
quescence and concurrence in the late compro-
mise bills, or opposition and resistance to them.
Southern Rights men may differ about the pro-
per remedy. | have heretofore presented my
views as to the proper remedies in my late
sage, and by my signature to the address of the
Central Committee, appointed by the friends of
Southern Rights | shall boldly and conscien-
cipusy advocate them, until the people of the
State shall, in the Convention to meet in Noyem-
Der next, declare the proper remedies, and estab-
lish the position which Mississippi is hereafter to
occupy on these vtally important subjects What
ever that action may be, | doubt not it will be
wise and efficient and, State Rights man, l
shall feel it my duty, if at variance with my
own opinions, 10 sustain the action OF the otate, III
her sovereign character.
have, gentlemen, thought proper to say thus
much in answer to your obligng letter of invita-
ton to attend a barbecue at the seat of Govern
ment. | shall be happy to accept your invitation
at such time as may be convenient to you. As L
learn, privately, that the 18th of May will be
suitable to you, | accept it, unless you select an
other day.
With very high regard, I reman
Your friend and fellow citizen,
OTTTTMAN