The southern press., 1852-02-28

the series Of resolutions which constitute their
platform for the canvass. they said
Resolved That the advocates of State Right
are the true friends of the South, and of the
Union; and that no right can be more clear or
more essential to the protection of the minority.
than the right of State peaceably to withdraw
from the Union, without denial or obstruction
from any quarter; but whilst we assert the
right, we consider it the last remedy, the final
alternative, and also declare that the exercise of
II by the State Of Mississippi under existing
circumstances, would be inexpedient, and is n
/ proposition which does not meet the approba
ton OF this convention"
This surely does not look like confident ex
pectation of civil war? There is the declara
ton that they did not contemplate secession,
and that II as the last alternative il should ever
be resorted to, It should be as peaceable rem
edy. This was the first and only position of the
party upon the subject. Unless them there be
certain persons who have run to such extreme
OF consolidation as to believe that the federal
government would make war upon the State. n
that position was endorsed by the people that
the President would call out the army and navy
to reform their political opinions, do not per.
ceive how or why civil war was confidently
expected in the gentleman's own State" twill
be remembered. by many who heard me during
the canvass, that so far rs treated Of civil con.
fict in another State, (South Cardinal il was
to deprecate it, and argue for our policy as that
which would best serve to avert the calamity.
But it was announced by Senator Foote, that
two gentlemen of Mississippi were referred to,
at meeting at which Mr.. Rhett, of South Car
DINA, was present, as the leaders Of the South
in the event of civil war, and as suitable persons
to be at the head of a Southern republic: that
4 at ottn lad h.,M
been marked out for military and civil honors
by hundreds oftoasts drunk on various occasions;
he had previously said that he acould name the
military leaders who Were expected by their adj
mirlng friends to gain immortal glory in the an
tcipated conflict of arms" Thanks to the gen.
erous interposition Of Mr.. Rhett, to shield from
injustice absent Mississppians who were as
sailed by the representative of their own State,
the names were brought out--Gen. Quitman
and Col. Davis. This is not the first petty fling
which has been made at me as military leader.
The gentleman, it seems, cannot forgive the Of
fence of having attracted the kind consideration
OF my fellow-citizens by such services as it was
my fortune to render in the war with Mexico.
But | address myself to the assertion made.
and ask where, when, and by whom, were those
toasts drunk, that selection made, that nomipa
ton announced? Having never seen or heard
of my selection as military leader of the
South in an anticipated civil war, or of nv nomi
nation as the head of proposed Southern con-
federacy, or OF one toast connecting my name
with either or both positions, must have proof
before l believe the occurrence to have been SO
frequent as is represented.
II it has been done in any case, whenever I
learn when and by whom, it will be easy for me,
to obtain the most conclusive evidence that it
was without any understanding with, or good
reason to suppose the proposition would be ac-
ceptable to me.
AS to the letter of Mr. Pickens, the contents
OF which do not accurately remember, and of
which have no copy, will only say that having
been written in answer to an invitation to fes-
tiyal in honor of Gen. Quitman, it is not at all
surprising that he should particularly have no.
ticed the distinguished military services of Gen.
Quitman, nor that he should have connected
with him many names Of Mississippi rs com.
plmentary reference to the State. Mr.. Pickens
is only known to me through his public reputa-
ton, and the commanding talent which has made
his name familiar TO us all. We have no rer-
sona acquaintance, and have had no correspond
ence. He might have applied to my colleague
of the Senate to learn my position; the reverse
is not supposable case. The reliance upon
that letter must be taken as evidence that the
gentleman had but narrow foundation for his
broad assertion.
In the daily Union Of December %, 1851,
MIR. Foote is reported on the 10Th of that
month, in reply 10 a statement of Mr. Rhett.
as to what had occurred between those gentle.
men when their relations seem 10 have been
closer than now, 10 have said:
:" IL the gentleman had known what peculiar
difficulties we had to encounter in Mississippi;
IL he bad known what peculiar Taylor. Cass
speeches were made there by persons who pos
sessed a particular infnence-which made me
leave certain duties which was performing here,
for the purpose Of counteracting movements
elsewhere-he would, perhaps. have perceived
that circumstances had occurred which had no
right TO anticipate at the time Of that convcrsa.
ton. These circumstances were of such m.
ture ne even 70 Justify some surprise that the
State was not carried by 10000 majority against
u.s."
The illusions 10 Taylor. Cass speeches will,
] presume, be so generally understood 10 have
referred IN me, that il would seem like affecta-
ton to doubt IT, ] will apply the test Of
Tact TO the whole statement. Those speeches
he says, compelled him 10 leave duties he wa
performing at Washington. The first speech I
made in the Presidential canvass of 1913 was nj
Raymond, having gone there by invitation 10 a
meeting for two dayspf joint discussion. ar
rived late, and found Gen. Foote upon the stand
erected for the speakers. If he alluded 20 my :
speeches, telegraphic speed would not serve 20
reconcile the statement with the fact and IL il
was not TO me, then 10 whom did he allnde p
Again, what was there in my speeches which he
had no right 10 anticipated lie knew before
the Nicholson letter was printed, that was not
satisfied with il. lie knew that honored Gen.
Taylor rs patriot, soldier, and honest man. In
the few counties which my physical strength
enabled me to visit, | rendered justice 20 Gen.
Taylor, as q man who had rendered service To
bis country.--I acknowledged my obligations
TO him for acts Of kindness done 20 Mississippi's
sons when under his command. Thus, was
willing TO pay the debt Of gratitude ! felt 10 be
due TO him. With all the power possessed, !
urged upon those whom | addressed the sup
port OF Gen. Cass as the Democratic candidate
for The Presidency, always objectng TO hi. doc
trine OF squatter soyereOntv but arOuinC that