Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-20
MOND ENQUlRER.
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THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE I'D. 1851.
TIE POSITION OF ALABAMA.

THURSDAY MORNING. JUNE Io.Is5I.
TIE POSITION OF ALABAMA.
Mr.. B. G. Shields, who nominated as the Union
dda,e for Governor of Alabama declined the honor the
ground of bad health and moreover in the hope that the
views Of Gov Collier the present Democratic Governor and
nominee would be acceptable to the Union To this
end he addressed letter Gov Collier the puport Of which
may be gathered from the following reply of Gov Collier
II will be ecoec,ed that in view of his address tho peo
pie of Alabama refusing call Lrgs
ature avnwed appreciation his position and wished
him in the election Of Governor At the time
have reprobated every thing like attempt The part of
the general government seeding State by force
both fatal State sovereignty and necessarily leading
,unal and ineinecne civil war. We do not regard Gov
Golfers present letter all conflicting with these posi-
ons. He has probably done wisely not Prematurcy TO
his opinions one of the alarming questions
which arise and the Gordian knot OF which the Lesis
lature itself will have solve We highly commend his
that certain contingency Alabama and some
of her Southern States might deem proper to unite
conciiaory measure, with the view OF inducing
South Carolina urbear her threatened purpose Should ne
crisis arise, such step look upon as among the most en-
cen to save the Cnon The Montgomery Advertiser, which,
though decidedly an.i-copromise has come out maniuy
against disunion and advocates the election OF oo'-
ernor Collier agans, the movements of the ultra Sc
ernor Collier could with the utmost propriety have
declined writing any answer ALI but he determined
to do So are confess that regret exceedingly
that he did the interrogatoes boldly directly
and unequvocay As he has not proper thus TO re-
spond however, and as he plants himself upon his October
address, and subsequent explanation in the Tuscaloosa
Observe-by these explanations Of his views opinions and
feelings 1t il but that should judge hin-at least until
have authoritative Eepunciaon or recanatlon Of
what he there said 1t to US utterly impossible that
man entertaining such sentiments uttered by him in
his address expnston could by any possl
bty lend his aid or influence the coercion subugation
Of sovereign State from IT, the necessary and le-
Ultimate results that would flow resisbly from their main
would lead him the support OF The seeding State
in case she was coerced by the General Government
Gov Golfers letter IL as follows
TUSCALOOSA, MAY 81 1851.
Hon B. G SHIELDS
Sir.-Your latter of the oath inst handed me just
was leaving Montgomery, and avail myself of the first
moment of leisure answer 1t. After referring ITO wha
another twelve may bring about to effect The peace
the country, you TO your letter OF Inc alst Marc
COL John NJ. Curke OF Wilcox, expresses tne sentiment
that the South should honestly abide by The compromise
,cts without attempting disruption OF the Union Tor any
thing contained lhen and in this am snre you have the
concurrence of nineteen tweneths OF the people OF Ao
ma But sir in behalf Of the people, respectfully
eouest that YOU make known your views the part
which Alabama and the other Southern States should take
ha, South Carolina should attempt TO secede rom inc
Union and the General Government oy Judiclous and hrn
measures should itself prevent such aecesslon In
such event. will Governor Of Alabama should you DC
reelected give your and aid to the seeding
State or The General Government? In other wods called
pursuance of law by the authorities OF me General
Government employ The influence and powers OF your
position (~hatever they be as Governor u Aabama
To cooperate with other Southern States especSny osc
contiguous TO Carolina: to maintain the supremacy oi inc
Constitution and laws OF The Unon VII! you act aninaVe-
ly or negatively upon such a caliP' -
have been inatientive observer OF the political
movements in the United States for the years and
baya cd mol
tween the Northern and Southern sections of the Union
growing out Of dssimilary in their local institutions
This received impetus about eighteen years
ago aud be admitted has w;dened and dcepencd to
most alarming within that period pass over the
that have stimulated the opposition OF many
our Northern brethren the institution Of slavery In Inc
South and address myself the question you have proposed
My mind revcts from the contemplation OF warlRe col
lson the Government and OF The members
Conedeacy NJ territorial limits could be prescribed
the beIigerenl operations could the end OF such
swords and perhaps involve tho members of the Union In
The most bloody civil war known 10 modern times not 10
all history.
commit myself any definite course OF
policy in the that South Carolina snail attempt 10 dis
solve her federave connection with her sisters II not pre-
tended that any other State has the right 10 dictate to the
seeding State restrain by force the execution OF It's
popose but understand 1t s supposed that every other
State upon the equisition OF the General Govcrnment
should lend its aid prevent such result Upon this ny
po,esis the dictate Of prudence and duty for the Ex
ecutve of State to abstain from expressing his intentions
in advance of an ayowa by the Federal authorities of their
proposed action7 0Judge nothing before the me," is the
language Of wisdom Such premature declaration would
expose the Executive to criticism ii not ridcu anc consld
e,ng his official position. might disparage the State
On all Of public policy, when official duty required
decide nave not hesaled nor shall De taoy IN form
ing, reserved in expressing my opinions But 10 MAKE
question in advance of the facts out Of which may arise
and decide upon hypothesis depending contingency
which may never occur fit at all must certainly
have comprehension and present asp,cts utterly beyond
any previous conceptions would be apt 10 provoke he
ration of ecklessness and presumption not TO soy OF m
nd
should be free act discretion may dictate when tne dctS
knorn and should suffer embarrassment by ores0n
Should circumstances to render such course ex-
neden it may be ihn Alabama and oi her sister
Southern States would deem proper to unite in some con
history with tie view of nduci Ing Carolina to
proear her threatened purpose In view Of such conn.
.ency, should decline give direct to
questions! The leading spirits OF Carolina bold ardent
md ieaess and be nmdaed by threats OF force
Such would only nfuriale, and drive them
rcmitics would certiny deprive this State of all
Influence with her The interrcsson Alabama viii
he sword drawn wonld be contemned and indignantly re
ctet but endnred in the spirit OF kniness and aec
ION without previously declared aid in the sub
gaon Of Carolina, would be respectfully received and
idered.
acknowledge the right Of popular instruction. and shall
certainly yield dence the wishes and directions of ht
eople required do that which conscience does
ppruve, will resign the office Of Governor In respect !"
he matter you proponnd il pertinent 10 remark that III,
Of Alabama will be in session before any action
AN take place. and any Governor elected or TO be elected
nav we'll he supposed desire conference with the Gene
al Assembly without first putting forth his own spcculaons
lpon a subject so profound.
For The reasons slated, cannot consistently with sense
# public duty respond "Afirmatively or negatively to
your inquiries.
AS your questions proposed in behalf of The people Of
Aabana you of intend This letter Tor the pnoc eye
therefore hand copy Of it to the iuscaoosa
or publication. Most respectfully, your ob'dt ssIyt;
H. w. COLLIER. /
DUTY OF BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH.
The Democratic party guided by the principles Of JEFF
cson and the immortal and only conservative doctrines oi
9e These doctrines the Wings openly ridcue and de-
ounce The strength of the Democracy is in the South
nd for these two reasons they ought justly TO De looked
10. ~ tho of the Inun in extending Justice