The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-11-09

Jefs Davis on Toombs.


During the late canvass m Georgia, says
the Georgia Telegraph, in debate between
Col Gaskill, Of Fayetteville, aud Mr.. Robert
Toombs. the lakter asserted (as the former
AYERS and truly no doubt that jefferson
Davis was Dsunionist, sitting in the coun-
ellis Of the nation. and that be moreover de-
sired to involve the Government in the Pa
cifc Railroad speculation TO these charges
Col Gaskill interposed a round denial, and
thereupon wrote to Gen Davis. asking an ex-
preston Of bis sentiments. We find the an
swer in the Griffin JeGcrsoaiaa, aud repub,
lish SO much Of it as refers to the personal
accusation. Our readers viii agree with US
that it is pithy and to the point.
WAsnNcroN, d. c.. Sept 2l, 1853.
v. A. GAsKrLL, Esq,-Sv Your letter
Of the 20th ult., arrived here during my alb
scnce, and iil-health has combined with con-
slant occupation, to delay my reply
Before proceeding to notice the political
questions to whieh you call my attention, /
will dispose Of the personal accusation which
you inform me, Alr. Toombs has made against
me. You say - lie denounced you as a Dis
unonist sitting il the councils Of the nation"
During the controversy Of 1850, in relation
to the rights Of the South, and the duties Of
the general Government, in the Territories
acquired from Mexico, my attention was called
in debate to the fact that in certain newspa-
pers | had been charged with desire to dis
solve the Union. Believing it to be the work
Of base men, who concealed themselves be-
hind the instruments they employed, | then
said before the Senate If any gentleman make
the charge, | will answer him in mouysylla.
bles. 1t was well understood that answer
would not be less harsh than % as fuse.
Such is my answer now.
In that long and exciting controversy, my
opinions were freely expressed They arc
spread on the volumes Of Congressional de-
bates, and to them, refer to disprove all
allegations made against my fealty to our
Constitutional Union. Subsequently, QS51,)
when engaged in a canvass in Mississippi,
whilst declared the opinion that a State. as
a sovereign and equal member Of the Union,
had right te withdraw from the Union, had
a right to withdraw from the confederation, |
also spoke Of it as the last remedy--the fnal
resort one to which, under existing circum-
stances. Mississippi should not appeal, and
such was the position of those with whom
acled--as is shown BY the resolutions of the
convention which nominated the State ticket
Of 1851.
Though | have been somewhat familiar
with the excesses of partisan conflict, | am
not little surprised at this accusation, be-
cause Of the source from which it comes, As
a member Of Congress, and by personal in
tercourse. Mr.. Toombs has had full opportu-
nifty to know that tho accusation il false and
l am sure that comparison Of the position
that my most ardent language never reached
the extreme to which lie went, both before
aud long after the measures commonly called
the Compromise Of 1850, had been presented
and the principles and constitutional rights
involved had been fully discussed.
In conclusion Of this matter / will only say
| cannot very highly appreciate the moral SEN
timent Of a man who is prone to believe
ready to assume, that one who desires 10 de-
stroy the Union would be willing 10 hold
place in its councils, and swear to support its
constitution; and he, who makes such charge
against me, does SO gratuitousIy, and thereby
assures me that he is radically false aud
corrupt"
Mr.. Toombs has caught Tartar. and no
mistake. What docs be say to this letter
What does be think about it What does he
intend to do about it