The southern press., 1851-10-04
Shall ws Fight ONT

Hon JEsFERsos DAVIS, Of Mississippi. has
suffered himself to be put In nomination Tor
the office of governor, in the place OF lien.
O uitman. He is TO be run, not as dlsunlonlst,
secessionist, or as Southern rights candidate,
but simply as Democrat, on the old issues.
The leading Southern rights organs have
announced their intention to look upon the late
election as decisive of the slavery question in
that State, and have declared their willingness
to yield to the popular will and abstain from
any further "agitaton" of the subject.
The Union party, it seems, carried the election
by about six thousand majority only, while it
appears that something like twelve thousand vo-
tiers remained away from t polls deci-
sion" by no means beyond all hope of repeal
But if these Southern rights men are so anx-
ious to show their obedience to the popular will,
as they call il, why do they not act in accord
ance with its indications and vote for Foote, in
stead of Daris Foote, we believe, calls him
self democrat; but whatever he is, democrat
or federalist, his doctrines have been approved
by the people-that is to say, if this election, as
his opponents affirm, is decisire of the issue be-
tween him and them. ....r
So too, we notice, some of the papers OF the
same school of politics in our own State, begin
to talk about the public mind needing repose--
the propriety Of laying down our arms and yield.
ing TO the declared will of the people.
Indeed! This is u new doctrine to US. 1t
is the sick that need physician, and not they
that are whole" The question involved in the
late elections is one of the mightiest that has
ever been agitated in this country, and one
which is to have controlling influence upon
the interests of the South for generations to
come. If it were question of minor magni-
tude-the results of whose decision were only
temporary in their effects; or il the election
turned upon the choice of one particular State
measure over another rival polcy-both OF
which had the same end in view, it would be a
verv different matter.
But as il is, not only is the very existence OF
slavery involved in the controversy, but it has
also direct bearing upon the great issue
whether we and those to come after US are to
enjoy the privileges of free government in this
country, or are to be reduced to state OF abJect
and degrading vassalage, and to become the vic.
Tins of a ruthless and atrocious despotlsm
Must we, therefore, of the Southern rights
party, who are engaged in cause having such
momentous inte. ests at stake, throw down on
arms at the first unsuccessful skrrnlsh with the
enemy, and unmanfully relinquish the contest
forever! 1t seems to us that such reasoning
would better become those who are fighting
1 pF.Vat6 anu ptTsOudt IbtclCotos SNN'' -,
are battling FIR great principles and the welfare
of their country.
Again If that doctrine is true. why not carry
it out in all instances, and throughout the entire
| Union! IL we are to yield our convictions t.
the popular will in all cases, then why not throw
away our arms at once, and let the Free soiler'
md Abotionists, who have controlling infiu
ence in the general government carry out thel
DESIGNS and eradicate the system of slavery 1t
self from the whole country as soon as the,
please! Or, to confine ourselves to State Juris
diction, then, wherever and whenever the Wing
may gain the ascendency, the Democrats shoult
from that time forth quietly give up the contest
refrain from all further agitation" and gran
the people political "repose" till the crack o
doom, or until they are aroused from their stupi'
apathy by the clank of tyrants chains.
No. the more instant and pressing is the dan
ger by which truth and right are threatened
the greater is the necessity for the aid OF tn
stout hearts and sinewy arms of their avowe
friends and cbampions.-Atlas. ..