The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-05-22
LETTER FROM GEN. MCQUEEN.

in this city.
No more chivalrous gentleman, or more
earnest supporter of the rights and institu.
tons of the South, resides in its broad
limits, than Gen. cQuceli.-Petcrsburg
(Fd.) Democrat.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
May 9th, 1856.
Gentlemen: had the honor to receive
your kind invitation to attend meeting of
the citizens of Petersburg, to take into
consideration the question Of promoting
emigration to Kansas. on the seventh Of
May, inst, for which please accept my
thanks.
It would afford INC very great pleasure
to accept the invitation, aud fully intend
cd to have done so, had it been in my
power, but circumstances which cannot
control deny me the pleasure.
There has, in my judgment, been 10
subject, since l have known an thing of
public affairs in this country, which ought
to attract the attention and heart of the
Southern people, more than the present
condition Of things in Kansas.
The abolitionists of the North at first
excited but little apprehension on the part
of the South, and Notwithstanding they
have grown stronger with every effort they
have made, until they now have tho control
Of the most popular branch of the govern
ment Of the confederacy, and threaten even
the dissolution Of tho Union unless the
relation Of master and african slave he
abolished in the country. The South, still
hoping that the sons of patriots, who
founded a Government under which the
people Of the earth could and did live in
peace, prosperity and l,appines, would be
found with patriotism enough to preserve
it from fanatcism, STAYED off the issue, and
aided i'll compromises having that effect.
But rs our submission to wrong has
always but emboIlened the aggrcssor to
new and deeper outrage, so the enemies of
the South, and the worst enemies we have
on earth, rs il not content TO outrage the
Constitution of the country as well as our
feelings, have made an issue in Kansas that
We dare not disregard.
They have had five free States out of the
Territory of Virginia, and that. too, by the
generosity and consent Of that Old Domin-
ion. They have taken all the Territory Of
much value obtained from Mexico; enough
for an empire of itself. They purchased
from Texas, and paid with our money,
considerable portion Of her Dominion to
make it frec-so. They have Oregon,
Washington and Nebraska, and not content
with this, although amounting to twenty
times the area, they have organized Aid
Societies, and, by New England capital,
l,avo determined that the South shall not
even enjoy, upon terms of equality, the
their emissares through and around the
ct,fa
their wishes. and then draw their poisonous
cords successivcly around our Southern
States, until reduced to such numbers that
they become like St. Domingo, or furnish
such scenes of blood MS the hearts Of Chris
tians shrink from contemplating
Kansas has been opened by the law of
the land, free to all upon terms of equality.
Her laws arc binding upon every citizen Of
these United States. These are being re-
sisted by bands of fanatics, sent there with
weapons and the munitions of war, to crush
cut slavery and spill the hearts blood of
Soulherncrs and owners of the soil. Even
the puipits have been desecrated for this
ilendisl purpose; men who have been
placed rs guardians over the minds and
morals of youths from the South, have
given their aid to this murderous and trea-
sonable purpose, and no one need doubt it
IS time for the South to meet this issue as
becomes men intelligent enough to under
stand their rights, and patriotic enough to
defend and maintain them. This is the
first issue rendered the South Ly our enc
mics, which, has not been complicated with
some deceptive ingredients. In this, there
is nothing but a bold ard arrogant deter
,nination, i'll the face of tho Constitution,
the law of Congress, Of the Territory, and
justice, to crush out the STAKEHOLDER, and
deprive him of his rights, and it is for the
South to meet it as rendered. If she de-
lays, she is unworthy of her rights. If she
fails to maintain them, she is unworthy the
heritage aud name of her ancestors. The
issue is not OF our seeking. We demand
hut as equals-we would never lice with
anything less.
Whilst, then, am denied tile pleasure of
being with you TO morrow, allow me to ex-
press my most hearty aprobation Of your wise
and patriotic Object, and the hope that the
Old Dominion will not delay in sending
men and money to aid our friends in the
settlement of Kansas, to protect our friends
III Missouri and in fact, in the end, our
selves, from poisonous contiguity with
vile aboltionists, who are not satisfied to
live in peace under Government (in It's
purity the best known TO man, but would
thrust their sickly sentimentality upon
people who know their motives and loa,he
their character and isms. Send your young
men to occupy the lands, to maintain law
and order in the Territory, and if nothing
else will do, meet traitors with their wea.
pohs, and teach them that punish,nent !.
thereward Of treason. .e.
Virginia has the means, and hope size
will use them.
Ihaye tic 1ionor to be, your Oh. serv't,
''-,'. SO s].,''..,'',..> JNO. MCQUEEN.
.Messrs.R. K:'hleade,J. w. syme, Thos
Wallace. Geo.,W. Boiling, AID. Banks,
Ihos, Glolson, Petersburg, Va.
tfaS osdaaates Tie following gentle
nsSn wefs, o., yesterday, admitted to prac.
H.