The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-08
Letter from Hon. Jacob Thompson.
RIPLEY, MISS, September ~, 1851.

JEFE'N DAVIS.
Letter from Hon. Jacob Thompson.
RIPLEY, MISS, September ~, 1851.
DEAR SIR In the present complicated and
critical condition of public affairs in our State,
you will not, hope, think it an nnwarrantable
intrusion that personal friend and political fol-
lower should solicit your opinions in relation to
the proper policy to be pursued in order to rein
state, in its accustomed predomnancy, the Demo-
cratic party, whose principles have for so many
years been approved and maintained by large
majority of our people At such juncture as
the present, indeed, it seems to me, the views of
men long experienced in public life, and possess
inc the confidence of their fellow-citizens, are
entitled to double value and are doubly due to
| the people.
The election for members of the State con-
yention is over; the decision Of the people upon
the Issues peculiar to that election is recorded.
Does il not then behoove every Democrat, and
indeed, IL it not duty imposed upon every
De:nocrat by the very principles Of his faith, to
defer to that decision and in good faith to abide
by its consequences, be they for better or for
worse! To what purpose further protract the
contest! What good is to be anticipated from
| proloneing this unnatural war of Democrat upon
| Democrat? Cannot the issues recently disposed
| of in the convention election, and which were
not peculiarly the doctrines either Of the Wing
or Democrat party. be now laid aside, and over
lures of peace be hOnorab)y offered and hOnora-
bly, accepted on either part?
| Are there not other great questions demand
ing and deserving the attention and the exer-
| tons of the Democratic party of Mississippi
Is it. while Wing administration is in power
and while that Wing administration, obedient to
its native instincts, Ia openly sympathizlng with
loppressors abroad and attiating with fanatics at
4 home, that the Democratic party OF Mississippi,
like sulky Achilles, should retire to its tent I!
Is it while the hosts of Northern monopolsts,
| indefatigable though 80 often dscOmttted, are
again rallying under the lead OF Wing Prssl-
dent and advancing to the destruction of the
free trade policy and the tariff of 40, to build
upon their ruins the Infamous system of pro-
tective duties and specific valuations, that the
Democratic party of Mis-, issippi should retreat
like a recrcant from the field upon which its
colleague thrnn ghout the republic nre battling
so bravelv!
i Is it while the most stupendous scheme OF
favoritisrnAud fraud ever invented-the Wing
system Of internal OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the
auspices 81 the Wing Executive and with its
seductive appeals to sectional interests, is be-
} coming fearfully prominent among the curses
about TO be inflicted upon the people, that the
, Democratic party of Mississippi should raise nc
; voice to warn and extend no hand to save!
g And what are the impedments to frank ant
cordial reconciiatJ IN among Democrats how
much soever they may have differed uron the
questions involved in the canvass for the State
: convention? 1t is not principles: for those
& questions are set at rest 1t cannot be consist
ency for consistency requires that they should
= cooperate in repelling the common enemy, wbt
n with his old trick of mounting new mask, ha'
e become more formidable than ever. Cannot tn,
State rights Democrat be satisfied with thu
Democratic party, among whose cardinal princi
pies State rights are prominentl Cannot the
: Union Democrat content himself with the Dem
ocratic party, whose just and impartial policy is
the best, indeed the only reliable security foI
K, the perpetuation Of the Union! For my owr
part, 1 regard the Democratic party as consist
emily and at the same time the best Union as
well as the best State rights party. 1t will
maintain the Union 80 long the Union re
mains consistent with the liberties of the people
and the rights of the States--and what freeman
wants mere?
have made these remarks, not on the auppo
sition that they pcssesslany originality or merit
but merely as suggestions to you Of the sub
iects upon which Democrats in this section
would like to hear your sentiments. To mi
they are no new positions; for perhaps you
may be aware, ] have always maintained, in al
humble way, of eourse, that the old Democrat,
, issues ought to be made They have Away,
been equal to emergencies. Why. then should
we cease to rely on them'
Many of our Democrats in this region, m,
h. dear sir, are looking to you for a solution o
these questions. They have tried you long anc
found Won true; and in writing you this com
munication, | am their deputy to ask your ad
vice upon the puzzling attitude of parties in Thu
e portion of the country-which presents the ano
n malous spectacle of a Democratic people abou
:, to cast themselves into the embrace of thu
~ Wings.
Sc A public reply would be preferred, IL consist
Sc ent with your feelings and the circumstances
off which surround YOU
Your friend and ob't serv't,
A. NJ. JACKSON.
70 p s. find that a rumor prevails to some ey
IN tent that you have withdrawn from the confess
This rumor have contradicted, but deem
best to advise you Of the fact a. NJ. J.
To Hon. Jacob Thompson.
- OXFORD, MISS, Sept. u 9Th, 1851.
III M Dear Sir. Your letter of the 9th inst
now before me, and ! reply with pleasure.
d First in regard to the rumor Of my will
drawal.
have not withdrawn from the contest, M
do intend to do 40. ! am enlisted for the wa
e. It il true did not wish to become candida
II for Congress- But it is apparent that cou
o not now withdraw, without being charged b
pr our ndversnries Of doing 40 from fear of defea
But defeat has no terrors for me; nor do thin
or have ever thought such a result probabl
/. have long been the representative of the State
v and every public msn is to be judged by VIII
n he has done, or what he proposes to do, hay
:, ever been true to duty. have never be'raye
:, my trust have never been untrue to the Cor
stitnton, or to my constituents. have neve
:" changed my principles or party associations.
La. inferes