Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-11-27

ing, that the people Of Mississippi confidently ex
pected last year, whilst the Legislative canvas
was going on, that Senator of the U. S.. for th
term which will commence on the 4th dav O
Mach next would be chosen by the Legislature
at the session Of last winter Indeed am sur
that should not be contradicted. did choose {,
make the assertion, that the voting population 0
the State in the several counties over which th,
same is diffused, did, in the most clear and un
mistakabe manner, intimate in the election Of Tia,
members of the Legislature in November, 1851
their views and wishes in regard to the very indi
yldual judged by them properto be elected to III,
Senatorial station in question. 1t is absolutel,
certain, that in delivering nearly one hundred anC
eighty speeches, whilst the long and laborious
canvass of last summer was in progress, failed
on no occasion, to urge this interesting matter up
on the consideration of those whom addressed
and the result was, as no one can now deny, that
there was in the Legislature which was returned
an overwhelming majority of members, who were
on joint ballot, prepared to sustain my pretensions
as a Senatorial Candidate. But let this all pass
by. | am quite willing, as | have already de-
clared, to 90 before tie people once more ; and |
now confidently join issue with the majority in
State Senate, upon the basis even Of their own
preamble and resolution of last winter; which
will be found to have been very deliberately and
formally drawn up, in the following words and
figures, to-wit
"Whereas, the canvass of 1851, in this State,
was conducted, and the elections held under ex-
traneous issues, not at all involving the question
of the election of IT, S. Senator, for the Senate
rial term commencing on the 4th day of March,
1858, and whereas it is deemed right and proper,
that the people should be heard, and their will as
certained as far as practicable, in a matter so inn
portant to them, as that of selecting suitable
person, to represent the Sovereign State of Mis-
sissippi, in the Senate of the United States and
further as the Senator now proposed to be elected
will not take his seat at regular session of Con-
gress, until December, 1858, only few weeks
prior to the meeting of the Legislature of the
State: Therefore resolved, That it is deemed
inexpedient and improper, at this session of the
to 90 into the election of Senator in
Congress from this State, for the term commen-
ing on the 18th day of March, 1853; but that it
is right and proper, the same should be postponed
TO the end that the people, at the ballot-box in
November, 1858, may be heard, their will ex-
pressed, and their wishes carried into effect, in
he election of Senator's and Representatives to the
Legislature, with view to carry out that will,
n so important matter as the election of a Sen
ltor in Congress for six years.
Feiloc-citizens beg you to notice particular
y the phraseogoly of tn noted preamble and res
,lution, with view to the proper understanding
If the precise issue propounded for your deter
nination in the elections of next Nov. In perfect
with these will be found report from
no nj of tho /, ,kapf
majority thereof,signed by Messrs o. r. Singleton,
ohm Bell and Wm A. Stone. This report was
made on the 18th of March last, and the portion
f il TO which am now referring reads as follows
1t is fact, too, that there are number of aspi-
ants to the Office of U. S. Senator, many of whom
re favorite sons of Mississippi, and as the ques-
ion of U. S. Senator, for this term, was not can
assed before the country, in the late election,
our committee recommend that IL be referred
rck to the people, that they may indicate some
rvorite who shall occupy this distinguished sta
on. Who can object 10 this comSeg Should |
OF their goice pregda IN this matter? Is Il not
government founded upon tie wW of the peo-
ie, and if so haze Their representatives IN tie
legislature a right to preciude them from gi0iRg
rpreSSi0n to their acishesP Under ordinary cir /
INSTANCES, it might not be so important to refer /
he matter to their consideration; but at the pres
1t moment, when it is not and cannot be known
hat course Congress will take upon the slavery
uestion, and other questions of vital interest to
re South it is proper, it is the part of wisdom,
nat The people reserUe to Themselves The right to
nd 10 the y. S. Senate a representative who ,OiH
fresh from their presence, and from a knoacl-
lge of their feelings and acishes, 0iH be prepared
represent them correctly"
l have no critical observations to make upon
lis report, though | certainly do not concur in
veral Of the views set forth therein. In response
some of the important queries so strikingly
-opounded in it. | say, without hesitation, that
lrs is emphatically "a govenment founded on
e gW Of the people" / answer further that
e peoples Representatives in the Legislature
tge no right to preclude them from giging er-
'ession to their acis1es," in relation to the cleo
IN Of a L. S. Senator; and, add with pleas
-e, that, in my judgment, the "goioe" Of the peo-
e SHOULD preUaa IN this matter" / will even
nploy language on this subject still stronger
an that of the committee, aud | do now sol an
promise that, should the people, next No em-
\, in the election of Senators and Representa-
res to the Legislature, indicate a preference for
" one Of their supposed favorites, over myself,
r the station of L. S. Senator, will at once re-
e from a contest in which / could not ultimate
triumph, except byI resorting to contrivanees
iich | should regard as degrading to my own
aracter as public man, and calculated not on
to defeat the execution Of the popular will, but
overthrow the fundamental principles Of our I
preventative system of government Should you,
low-citizens, once more decide in my favor, q
ist that shall not be at all wanting in those q
.ings Of gratitude and esteem, which the gen d
,us support that you have 50 long steadily ac- ?
rded 70 me, might be expected to awaken in
: bosom Of one whose heart has ever been ready b
respond to acts either Of justice or Of generos-
. Should, on the contrary, your decision be o
verse to my wishes, hope that, even in that g
e, shall be able to exhibit cheerful resgna- :
n TO your viii, and even to exclaim, with some
ng Of pious submissiveness Of spirit The L