Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1851-01-11
WASHINGTON CITY.
December IA 1850.

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prOpouudns 10 me certain questions and asking
an early answer. Your letter was handed TO me
in jackson, but my stay there was short, and
my engagements Of such charaeier as TO pre-.
ven, a reply before LETT Cor this city. there.
lore embrace this. sihe earliest moment, (since
,,y arrival here,l that can be spared ston my
official duties to cornply with your leqiest The
right Of the constituent to de,nand, and the duty
of the representative to give, frankly, andtullY, his
opinion upon sil'tue stioas on which he may be
called to act in his represeniive character; or
upon all questions touching the relation which
e1iss between them, as constituent and repre-.
sen.iye, tully admit. Whether your inquiries
are connected with any subject on which | can
bJ any possibility be called to act, as represen.
lstive in Congress, shall not stop 10 inquire, be.
cause have no desire to withhold my answer
either as representative or citizen 10 these or
any other questions you may wish to PROFOUND
Your questions are the following:
ist. Are You in favor Of dissolution Of the
Union now, or hereafter, because Of the legisa
ton at the late session OF Congress
(. end. Are youin favor Of the establishment Of a
Southern Contederacy now, or hereafter. because
Of the Legislation Of the late session of Congress
3rd Are you in favor Of the secession of the
State Of Mississippi from the Union now, or
hereafter, because Of the legislation Of the late
sessioncf Congress-
9Th. Are you in favor Of any aud what kind
Of resistance, on the part Of this State, or all, or
any Of the slave States, to the recent acts OF
Congressl
The first three Of these questions are moi
novel. ! met then not long since, Substantially
If not ltrally,j in correspondence between
distinguished Senator of Louisiana and some
OF his constituents. hud supposed that my pc.
stion on this question was we'll understood by
my Constituents, at least those who had taken the
ptns to inquire what II was and such is my
belief now, have not either il Congress, Of
berfore nv constituents, proposed or advocated
either dissolution Of the Uuion, the secession
of my own State, or the formation If Southern
Conleeeracy, and my spniot have undergone
no recent charge. Why lhcn should you ak
me these questions, unless your Object was TO
give me an opportunity OF retuiing the calum
MES Of those who seek 10 place me in a false
position, and 70 raise a false Issuo for their own
promhon have not deemed it 10 lie my ouly
To decide to my constituents, what remedy they
should ado for the evils imposed on them by
tho late acts u Congress: bit determined to
take counsel from them az to the remedy to be
adopted if ilcy sholld approve my course in op
posing these measures. II were Of the opn.
ion, however, thai dissolution ofthe Union was
the proper remedy now 10 be adopted, ] should
Immediately dissolve all connection with the
general government. by resgdng my sest IN the
House pf Representatives. and assume the
ground boldly. do not regard ibis az the issue
now before the people Of Mississippi, hat one
which has been raised by designing men, 10
conceal tom The public gaze their own fecreaney
aud treachery 10 the Souh. Ny Object has been
since my Grst entrance upon public lie, to guard
against all violations Of the Constitution; and 10
preserve IN its original purity, that Union which
was formed by the Convention Of l7s7 Tn
ion Of equality and justice established by the
Constitution that Constitution which was de-
sghed as a shield Of projection 10 every part Of
the Conlederacy. Ny policy has been directed
10 this end, and will continue 10 be, until all hope
Of its preservation has been lost; then | shall
believe it 10 be the duty Of the Southern people
10 90 out q the Union, as the only means Of
saving ard iransmuilGg to posteriiy the princi-
pies Of the Consattien. You will thus perceive
tha, nv con.tant effort has been 10 save and moi
to destroy the Union.
You also inquire what my opinions will be
hereufer; whetlerI will be hereafter for the
remedies suggested IN your three first questions
on account Of the legislation at the late session
Of Congress. What 10y opinions and what my
position will be hereafter. canno, now deter
mine. shall form my opinions Upon the state
Of facts which may exist hereafter; draw my de-.
auctions, and take position accordingly; and
without the supernatural power Of fJreseeing
the precise state of facts and circumstances by
which we may be surrounded; and the conse-
quences, immediate or remote, which may flow
from the late acts Of Congress ;--must decline
giving conclusion upon an underlined hypothesis.
Ny opinions when formed will not be Withheld
from any portion Of my constituents who may
desire to know them. -
In answer % your fourth and last question,
state, that am for resistance to the late acts 81
Congress, known as ne Adiaslmsal p
I. compromi1 z TBelieve that goat injustice