The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-05-21
Letter from Gen. Mcoueen.

tet VI NeHeTh hc>tueen, oi SOuth CarOll-
ma, addressed to the Kansas meeting late.
iy held in this u;ty.
No more chiralrous gentlemen, or more
earnest supporter of the righ,a and ins,i.
tutions Of the South, resides in its broad
limits, than Gen. McQueen.-Petersburq
{ Va.) Democrat.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES, May 9th.
Gentlemen:-lh had the honor to receive
your kind invitation to attend meeting
oi t.e citizens o. Petersburg, 10 ;"ke into
consi'era'ion the question Of promoting
emigration to Kansas, on the seventh of
May, inst, for which please except my
thanks.
II would afford me very great pleasure
to accept the invitation, and | fully in-
tended to fave done SO, had it been in nv
power, but circumstances which cannot
control deny me the pleasure.
There has, in my judgment, been no
subject, since have known any thing Of
public affairs in this country, which ought
to attract the attention and heart Of the
Southern people, more than the present
~ohd'eio = vi iu haUSHs.
The aboli,ionists Of the North at first cx.
cited 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 the
control Of the most popular branch Of the
government ofthe confederacv. and threat
en- even the dissolution Of the Union unless
the relation ofmaster and african slave be
abolished in the country. The South, still
hoping that the sons Of patriots, who foun-
ded \ Government under which the peo.
pie OF the earth could and did live in
peace, prosperity and happiness, wouli be
found with patriotism enough to preserve
II from fanaticism, STAYED off the issue, and
aided in compromises having that effect.
But as our submission to a wrong has
always but emboldencd the agercssor to
new and deeper outr ,gc, so the enemies Of
the south, and the worst enemies we have
on earth, as ifnot content to outrage the
Constitution Of the country AS well as our
feelings, have made sn 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 gener osity and consent ofthat Old DO
minion. They have taken all the Terrific.
ry Of much value obtained from Mexico ::
enough for an empire Of itself. They
purchased from Texas, ard paid with our
money, a considerable portion Of her Do
mnion to make il free soil. They have
Oregon, Washington and Nebraska, and
not content with this, although amounting
to twenty times the area, they have organ
lied Aid Societies, and, by New England
capital, have determined that the South
shall not even enjoy, upon terms Of equal
ity, the smsll Territory Of Kansas. They
send their emissarics through and around
tie State Of Missouri, first to reduce her TO
their wishes,and then draw their poisonous
cords successfully arounI our Southern
States. until reduced to such nu nbers tina,
they become lik. St Domingo, or furnish
such scenes Of blood as the hearts ofChri,
,isns shrink from c. n emp!s,ing.
Kansas has been opened by the law Of
the land, free to all upon term. Of equality.
Her laws ar, 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 our slavery and spill the hearts blood
nf Southeiners and owners Of the SOIL
Even the Pulpi:s have been desecratel for
this hendish purpose; men who have been
placed as guatdians over the minds and
morals OF youths from the South ,hav. civ.
en- ,hsir aid to this murLerous ard treason.
able purpose and no one need doubt j, is
time for the south TO meet ihi. issue as lie
comes men intelligent enough to defend
and maintain them. This is the first i,su.
rendered the South by our enemies, which
has not been complicated with some d.,
ceptive ingredients. In this. there is moth
ing but bold and arrogant determination
IN the face Of the Constitution, tho law of
Congress, Of the Territory, and Justice, TO
crush out the STAKEHOLDER, and depriye
him Of his rights, and it 's for the South TO
NEE; it as rendered. If she delays, she is
her rights. If she fails to
maintain them, she is unworthy the heri-
ta"r and name Of her ancestors. The is
sue n not Of our seeking. We demand
but as equals-we would never Eve with
any thing leH.
Whilst, then, I am denied tn. pleasure
Of being with you to, morrow. allow Inc to
express my most hearty appreciation Of
your wise and patriotic object. and the
hope that the Old Dominion will not de.
Jay in sending men and money to aid our
friends in the settlement Of Kansas, to
protect our friends in Missouri; and in fact
in the end, ourselves, from poisonous
'ontiguity with vile sbolitioni,ts, who are
not satisfied to live in peace under Gov
eminent (in iis purity the hest known to
man, but ronld thrust their sick!y se.i.i
mentality upon people vino know their
motives and loathe thoir character and
I.ms. Send your young men to occupy
the lands, to maintain law and order in
the Tcrriteoy and il ifnothing else will do,
meet traitors with their weapons, and
teach them that punishment is the reward
Of treason.
Virginia has the means, and hope she
will use them.
! have the honor to hc, your ol.'t serv't