Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-02-28
From the Pautding Clarion.
The ''S0uthern Standard" and Sth of January
Convention.

In our last ISSUE We intmated our intention of
noticing at some length the studied misrepresenta
tons, by the Southern Standard, at Columbus, of
the action of the Democratic State Convention of
the 9Th of January.
The article of the Standard embraces long ed |
toria letter, carping and caustc, written with the
usual ability of the editor, and dated at the ''scene
of action' the capital of the State, together with
a very elaborate and somewhat lengthy introduc- /
ton from the same pen.
We feel particularly called upon to notice this
ingenious but somewhat Quixotic effort of our
friend CHAPMAN, as personal and not very compli-
mentary alusion is made to ourself, a member
of the State Convention.
Our own course, as journalist and as Demo
crat, has been unvaringly uniform; and being I'M
conscious of important deviation from the princi-
piles of party--ncluding the strongest atfirma-
ton of the doctrines of States Rlghts-we feel
that defence upon that point, even though attack
ed by so able parsonage our c01trere of the
Southern Standard, would be entirely task of
supererogation.
The argument of the STANDARD against the final
action of the State Convention is ingenious, but
manifestly sptenetic. When our friend penned his
ironical letter, in which such huge but, appre-
bend, untet blows dealt against some OF the
most distinguished of Mssissippi's sons, there
was, it was clear, an unlocked for arrow in his
heart--a blight of some darling anticipation
which so jaundiced his generally unhlmed vision
that he saw treason to principles in the pureSt
approximations of patriotism before him, and sub
serviency in the Hottest independence
Not having room or time for very extended COM
ment we leave the letter of the editor of the Stand
ard, and 90 to its editorial er0rdium, which is
synopsis and in part an elaboration of its points.
II. Mr.. Chapman is conscientious enough
not to say ''that the Convention was packed, T"
but he goes into process of augmentation which
J Il II L FL
readers Packed ?" Yes, if the Legislature is
packed-if any deliberative body exercising dele
gated authorities conferred by primary assemble
ges of the sovereign people, is packed, was the
Convention.
| [2. The next objection we find, is to the or
ganization of the body. Judge ELLIS, the affable
and efficient presiding officer, not being accustom
ed to extempore speaking, happened to read, from
a manuscript in his hat, his brief and very grace
full speech of thanks in manner which, Mr.. C..
| says, would equal the courtly elegance of Lord
| Chesterfield, or be worthy the Court of Charles,
or Louis; and, from this fact, draws the infer
ence, or at least intimates it strongly, that few
managers, wire workers, pre- arranged the organ-
ization of the meeting. Suppose they did, what
influence could that possibly have upon the future
action of the body A president is mere parlia-
mentary offcer-a 'fxture"-in the decorous
language of the Editor of the Standard necessary
assembly. Judge Powhattan Ellis had long, du-
ring series OF preceding years, been honored
with the compliment by the Democracy of the
State, and it was deemed but justice to him, and a
significant indication that we were the old Demo
cratic Party to place in the position the man
who presided over the assembled Representatives
of Mississippi Democracy two years anterior be-
fore the calumnles of the political enemy, and the
misconceptions OF political friends, succeeded in
f irving assunder temporarily, the long victorious
Democracy Of this State
3. But Mr.. Chapman's great point against
the 9th of January Convention-the allegation up
on which the whole force of his logic depends
is, that Mr.. ELLETT, of Claiborne introduced a
resolution referring to Committee, to be appoint
ed by the Chair, all resolutions presented and de-
volvmg upon that Committee, the duty of reporting
series OF resolutions for the action OF the Conven-
ton. This, our very astute friend of the Stand
ard, considers the gag By this resolution, he
solemny asservates, discussion was ssstifed.'-
How preposterous Discussion was, of course
deferred, and wisely but we need not inform our
readers, we need not remind our friend Chapman,
whose prejudces have led him into so many ludi-
crous blunders, that the action of no committee is
.fnat--that its proceedings, in whatever form,
must be endorsed by majority of the suffrages
ofthe Convention, and are open for parliamentary
discussion. 1t was foreseen that many conflicting
basis of action that they would engender heated,
protracted, and fruitless discussion and hence
the expediency, the proprety of referring all such
propositions to committee who could calmly and
refectvely digest them, and present them in one
harmonious whole; to the consideration of the Con
vcntion. 1t was then the privilege of any person,
being an authorized member fthe body, to debate
them-to propose notifications move their re
lection. And this is what Mr.. Chapman calls
''stifing" discussion! Why, it is the almost in
variable course of every deliber2tive body. nor
does 1t take away or infringe upon any right.
The Editor of the STANDARD gives hardly sat
isfactory compend of the speeches of gentlemen
upon the resolutions of Mr.. Hooker and the reso-
lutions of Mr.. Barry 1t is singular, too, that
while the speeches of gentlemen favorable to the
ultraisms of the Standard were powerful and
pointed" eloquent and felicitous, the remarks OF
gentlemen in the opposition had neither s'poten-
tiality'' (as Gov Foote would say, nor beauty
Fortunate indeed, Mr. Chapman, that all the tai
ent and all the eloquence of the Convention, shed
light upon yOur extreme positions
/ AL During the debate upon Mr. Barry res
olutions. charged by the STANDARD, with be-
ing the most prominent among the 'gaggers, = be-
cause we moved to lay them on the table. And
why did we do so ? For the reason that we con-
the opinion that they unnecessary--a mere
elaboration of principles distinctly enunciated in
the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of go and
80, and always embodied in the emphatic resolves
OF each succeeding National Democratic Conyen-