Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-02-21

we hope that they will take with them a sufficient
force enforce the law against all opposition If
not they had better abandon the effort to recover
their property.
Letter Of Hen. Wr. Clemens Of Alabama.
WASHINGTON JAN. 28th, 1852
To Maj. William Fennsing
Ny Dear Maior-Yo our letter of the 21st inst
reached me last night, and l shall proceed to an
it in the same kind spirit in which it was writ
ten. You and l have been something more than
ordinary friends, and it would not become either
of US to withhold from the other any opinions we
may entertain. You say that [ have been ap-
pointed an elector for the State at large by the
Union convention recently held in Montgomery,
and ask if this was done with my consent lney-
er heard of any such purpose until after 1t had
been executed and l doubt if any member of
the convention had thought of it previous to the
meeting in Montgomery. You ask also, if | in
tend to accept it. | answer that depends upon
circumstances. | have not seen the resolutions
and do not know what kind of platform they have
erected. Moreover, it is impossible to tell at this
time what course circumstances will render it pro-
per for the Union men in Alabama to pursue. To
be effective, whatever we do should be done in
conjunction with Georgia and Mississippi. Uni
ted these three States control the Presden-
tial election and doubt not this fact will soon
become apparent as to induce attempts to effect
an organization upon q common basis. We will
then be in position to any just demand
made by the South, without war, without blood
shed, and without dsunion for party dare
nominate candidate with he certainty of having
our vote cast against him. In that case | shall
certainly accept the nomination for eector, and
devote whatever energy | possess to the cause.
There are other contlhge ncies IN which you will
wish to know what my action will be. If General
Cass or any other democrat, untarnished by free
soil or sectional hcresies, receive the nomination
at Baltimore, I shall support him; and so, l be-
leve, will the Union wings of the South, unless
indeed they have presented to them man of
their own party equally unobjectionable. If any
man who owes his selection to tree-soil or seces-
sion influences, is nominated [ shall not support
him, no matter what personal sacrifices it may
entail.
| have now stated to you my position freely
and frankly. Let me refer as frankly to your
f own. You are an old Jackson Democrats be-
liever in the doctrines of his proclamaton-a warm
admirer of his farewell address. Has it not oc-
Cured to you that you have recently been found
in bad company
In the resolutions of the so-called democratic
: convention, especial pains taken to omit al
mention even of the name Of the Sage of the Her
mitage. Not one of his acts is mentioned with
: approbaton-not one of his opinions is endorsed
IF you should be at any loss to account for the
OMISSION you have only to look to the constitution
of the body OF which, to my regret, you were {
! member. In the first district they selected {
I a democratic elector gentleman who opposed the
removal of the deposltes, opposed the sub-treasu
, ry and at the last election refused to vote fo
: Gen Cass. Of the three delegates to the Ma
tional Convention, all believers in the right o
. secession. In the second district secessionist i
f made eector and three secessonists are the dele
r gates. In the third district the same thing ha
been done. In the fourth district secessionis
n is an eector, two of the delegates are secession
r lists and so | believe is the other, but do no
r know his opinions. In the sixth district there
: one secession delegate. In the 7th district th
: eector and all the delegates are secessionists.-
Y When | use the word secessonist, L mean be
lieyer in the right of secession-a light which yo
and deny and which all the sages of the repub
lie have denied before us. 1t is not surprisin
= that such a body should have avoided all mentio
of the name Of Andrew jackson with muc
3 care as they would avoid the fangs of the rattle
n snake. Fobserye also That you were not withou
Is a small leaven Of higgery-secesson wings
e course-that being the only mantle which, in tn
- opinion of the Convention, broad enough {
cover every sin. Admirable exponents these
" Jackson democracy
y have no wish to deny that the convention con
0t tanned many good and true democrats, as well .
,e warm and decided friends of the Union; but the
were III d leaA minority, anu gave no ooloA "
proceedings. 1t was never intended they shoult
{ The thing originated under secession auspices
and its fruits are such as might have been col
W jectured.
mi You say that the democratic party is now con
n, pletely re-organized | did not know that ii
or democratic party proper had been disorganized.
); A few restless spirits during the last summer s
III up false gods and tried to compel the rest OF
at to worship them When the August election di
er sipated the mental mist by which they su
k rounded, they found il their interest to induls
it. in lamentations the distracted state of Il
%, democratic party, and tried to obtain credit
ce patriotism by loud professions Of anxiety for Il
lct welfare OF party which no one had injured b
,r themselves. Il was thus that you and othe
es were drawn into this reorganization schem
ed which means, in plain English, giving the contl
ss of the State to seeessionists The action of th
en- Convention has done more to destroy the dem
nd cratic party than all other causes combined. 1