The daily union., 1852-02-14

question, and our exclusion from the Territories. Some
months alter this, when called session of the Misss.
sppi Legislature was convened by Governor Quman. for
The purpose OF taking into consideration the popreiy OF
calling convention OF the people of the State 10 deter
mine what relations the State OF Mississippi should
cupy towards the federal government account OF the
enactment OF these measures OF compromise, Governor
Quman took position far secession is concerned,
very much the same that to which have last referred
as taken here by my late colleague, Mr. F0oTE In his
message delivered the 18th OF November, 1850, after
citing the wrongs done the South by these measures, he
says;
ITO leave effort at Cancellation unred, and still
further to unite with us those OF our own people who stl
look for returning OF justice in the North let the
propositions be distinctly made to the people OF the non
slayeholdng States to remedy the wrong, far may
California concessions south of So deg min otherwise
and consent to such amendments Of the federal consttu
holding States from misconstucton and from further
gresson.
"But in the event of refusal do not hesitate
my decided opinion that the only etecua remedy 10 evils
which must continue 70 grow fom year 70 year. TO be
found IN the prompt and peaceable secession of the
grieved States"
That was the position Governor Quiiman took long
after the sentiments announced here by my late colleague.
Mr.. FooTE which have read II corresponds as TO
secession entirely with the position which my late col
league laid down on the floor of the Senate II will be
seen that Governor Quitman did not take the position in
favor OF account OF the measures OF COM
promise, account of what had been done, as is
charged against him He says that it is the only effect
ua remedy 10 evils which must continue to grow from
year to year"
Are evils sir. which are TO grow from year 10 year
past evilsi think they evils to come. Therefore
Governor Qutman did not take the position in his
sage in avoro secession on account OF what had been
done but he took the position 10 the remedy of
secession that laid down by my late colleague in the
February preceding. To show further that Governor
Quman did not take the position of separate secession
or join secession with the State of South Carolina
other States account of the OF compromise
will read what he says furthef:
The probability of the ultimate cessty Of resort to
this effective and unquestonabe right OF sovereign States
should be kept in view whatever measures may be adopt
States, TO remedy existing evils
Can it not be plainly that here he takes the posi-
ton that action as far as it should then CO. to
remedy existing evils, and that he never mentioned
cesson in connexion with the measures of compromise
right 10 be exercised solely their accounts that he
did not recognise il as an act then, in future to be
ercsed by the people Of Mississippi simply for what had
been done So it will be from the positions taken
by my late colleague, Mr. FooTE,l that three sepa
rate occasions on the foer OF the Senate he suggested
secession as the proper remedy Governor Quman
suggested il but once, and then as mere individual
opinion in his message; because the only real recon-
mendaton in his message that legal convention of
the people of the State should be called to express the
opinion OF the people, and determine what position the
State should occupy towards the federal government
account of the of compromise, expressly stating
that his suggestion as 10 remedies individual
opinion.
feel it due TO another distinguished citizen of my
State if it is necessary to do TO place him right
this subject, and TO relieve him from any mpnlaton
which may exist against him from the misrepresentation
OF Others, in reference 10 his alleged desire to bring
measures allude to the late distinguished senator from
Mississippi whose place ] now fill, lColonel DAvIs.]
When this question first before the people OF Mis-
sssippi at The called session Of the legislature, which
to provide for the calling of convention OF the peo
pie TO decide upon the relations the State would occupy
towards the federal government certain Union gentle
men, styling themselves, addressed TO Colonel DAVIS
letter. putting TO him the question whether be was IN
favor of dissolution of the Union account OF these
measures. will read two extracts from his letter IN re-
ply, dated Jackson, Mississippi, November 10, 1850:
s any have falsely. and against the evidence before
them attempted fix the charge OF wishing TO dis
solve he un,9n under eslng o am sure %
tect the shallow fraud III any have represented me
of that which revolutionary fathers bcqueahedto u.s.
my whole life, and every sentiment have uttered in
any have SUPPOSED ss T graniiosy (ey could not 9th
erwise) that efforts in the Senate directed TO The
have been nsensibe the obligations OF honor and good
faith, which feel imposed upon me by the position of
an accredited agent rom Mississippi TO The federal govern
ment.'
This was the language OF that distinguished citizen of
our State which places him fairly before the country in
reference TO his position on this question, and con.
demns at the false charge made against him by
those who misrepesent him OF being in favor OF dis
solution OF the Union.
The question of secession in Mississippi mere
abstract question. Ii not designed 10 be practical al
all in reference 10 existing circumstances IL was mere
abstract question 10 the right OF State in the last
sort from OPPRESSION 10 secede from the Union, which
from that OF the other The State-rghts party assumed
the position that had been wronged by the measures
OF compromise and ought TO demand redress for the past
and security for the future and that there ought TO be
council OF the southern States 10 devise the mode and
measure oil redress; and when that done, the mode
and OF redress devised by the united wisdom OF
the aggreved States in council should be referred back
10 the people OF the several States, for their ratification
or rejection in the event OF demands being refused
II they refused, and the North perseveIed in their
aggressions upon then the question would arise IN
the last resort, "What would be the proper remedy"
And said il secession, and that was peacea-
Bile remedy, because il resulted from right.
The position OF the other party was this They said
had been wronged 10 extent by the measures OF
compromise, but that il the best could do and
lha. they would submit TO il, but would lay down GER
tain propositions upon the violation OF which they would
make resistance. The question arose II these proposi-
tions violated, what kind OF resistance they would
resort to. The S,ae-rghts party said that in the last
cised as a right The Union party said there
such thing the right Of secession; that would be
revolution Ii a mere abstract question, then, for
the people OF Mssssipp and II we TO be denounced
s secessonists they are, the principle, TO be
denounced as revoluiioniss The only difference is that
we claim the right when oppression becomes too intoer
able to be borne relieve ourselves peaceaby and they
say we cannot do II without civil war and boodsbed.
That is the difference. That is the way the question
in convention Missssippione OF the largest conven-
tions ever held in that Slaein June last they passed
resolution and is part OF the proceedings o the con-
venton that although they believed in the right OF seces
SION vet under existing circumstances u did mol meet
with The appreciation of the convention TO exercise that
right Then the party spoke by authority, and laid down
the position which we assumed, and TO wlrch we are