Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-04-05
Position of narties in lIisSissippi.


tn his hand and cast them clear the way and
shorten the path to success Without pretending to
oracular wsdom or being prompted with the vain con-
ce to attempt to dictate direct parties is yet
4 rght inherent in us as citizen fthe State one
whose interests for veal or woe are identified with the
orea aboring masses within her borders, to speak our
opinions freely, canddy and with that holiness which
should characterize those who battle for truth and JUS
tee, and especially for political equality in this coned
eracy We intend no offence to any man or set of
men. We have no motive beyond that of dealing on
the square with the People We will not tell them
that they have had justice done them by the late action
of Congress. This would be false. We will not coun-
sci them to acquesce in gross outrage upon Their do
nestle rights and political privileges, because that is
counselling them submit to degradation, IN as much
it assigns them position in the contederacy OF IN
erioritv We cannot counsel them to resist by force
the laws though those laws be niqutous and Injurious
not only in the particular, but in the main We can
not advise or counsel them to put to the hazard this
Union of States, because may be better to bear the
present ills than to fly to others the wisdom OF man may
not conceive norh orecae array barriers to prevent
rolling in upon our domestic institutions like resist
less flood. We cannot counsel them to cast this I'm
ion of States aside for what the Pen of the Past has
yet recorded There may be greater evils yet IN the
treasury of Fanatcism-before high heaven, we be-
eve there is spirit concealed within the breasts of
powerful band of enthused fanatics in the free States
that armng the people against the laws of the Union
against Justice and against Slavery in the States In
tme,-and it but demands time to evolve this spirit
we of the South will be forced seek safety from the
spoilers hands in other than submissive weapons
In this view the People will see thatwe are not for
VI IL A.
Union as long as there is hope long there is
untried remedy recognized by the constitution-ah
ves as long as there exists honorable expedient
that promises justice and equality to the South When
the last hope is fled when all that patriotism and
ardent devotion to constitutional liberty could suggest
in the way of remedy shall have been exhausted and
the wisdom of great and good and pure men, shall
have failed to furnish another honorable erpedient then
will blot from the heart those memories that the
glorious deeds of the Past have inspired with, and
| fling from that which given priceless
heritage by patriot fathers but under a reckless deu
sion and love of power and supremacy, has been
dered blighting curse.
Let glance at parties in this State 1t is
sary to be little particular. We commence with the
Governors proclamation converting the legislature
Up to that moment, and we speak by the card, there
existed little else than open and avowed hostility to the
action of Congress in regard to the Compromise bills.
The press generally throughout the State opposed the
entire action the reclamation act alone accepted of
Congress. There was more harmony than we ever re-
member in this State far the press went. The
proclamation of Governor Qutman arrayed the party
press and when the Message appeared the lines of par
tywere drawn wide and deep. Just at this juncture
Mr. Foote, gentleman who had made great deal
of noise Washington, visited various sections of the
State, and organized Union party. 1t was given out
everywhere that Mississippi would attempt go out OF
the Union and the legislature was to do something
very awful Foote travelled, of course The legisla-
ture met and called convention of the people. The
people to act. This is a concise statement OF
leading facts.
Is there ground charge those who called and those
who sustain the convention with Secession! II
is true that the people pointed parts of Governor
Quitmans message to show that in certain contngen.
cies he is for secession What of that. Mr. Fooe is
in favor of the thing if certain things happen
But this amounts to nothing 1t is a mere difference
of opinion, and differ widely from Gov. Quitmar
as he does from Mr.. Foote There is point of affn-
ty between Governor Quitmans position and our own
I'VE are not for acquescing is he. Here we meet
In the exercise Of remedies separate. He is for al
amendment of the constitution We cannot favor this
proposition for unanswerable reason-any amend
ment, not how positive it is will yield us nc
more protection than have against aggression
the present constitution will not protect us-fts let
ter, its spirit the associations which surround
and haow it, prevent the sacrlgious progress of ia
natcism, nothing, the mere work of humanity, will
We know the deep seated love- the veneration felt fol-
that instrument by people, and safe in say
ing that the party which shall attempt to carry an a.
mendment secession, will write its own epitaph-
We award to Governor Qutman credit for singular
boldness, openness and patriotism. He is true man
He has been ruthlessly, ah cowardy prosecuted by
administration that for base hypocrisy and open cor
rupton, has parallel in history. We feel that he
has been set upon by assassin hrelings for potca
purposes and that the cause of Southern Rights wa.
attempted to be striker down in Mississippi by striking
down her Chief Magistrate.
a We are for the constitution it rcas. We are fo
no amendments. five cannot preserve our rights I'm
der it, are for severing present connection-wt
for diSsoEung the Union. We cannot consent to ad
nit that the constitution fails in that protection meet
ing the requirements of freemen, and when we are in
duced to think amendments necessary protect us anc
all rights, shall raise the standard of Dssolu
ton, because then shall feel that swritten bono
to prevent tyranny has become necessary anon,
equals.
1t is pleasant reflection, that has armed anC
cheered host know and feel that there exists with
in the limits of State patriotism superior to the
grovelling ambition and prompngs of mere party sue
cess-to know and feel that aggressions on our rights
i Has, Co. Ill.,