Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1859-04-02
Southern Convention at Vicksbuf !


To the People Of the Gaveholding States:
FEhtow-C111zErs:- A committee consis,
ing of J. u. B. DeBow, Of Louisiana ; Hon
John A. Quitman, Of Mississippi; Hon. Guy
BRYAN, of Texas Hon. W. L. Yancey, o
Alabama, and Major ". H. Chase, of ;Flori'
da was appointed at the late Southern Con
vention in Montgomery, to invite the people
of the Southern States to be represented al
IN adjourned meeting Of the Convention in
Vicksburg, Miss, on the ninth day Of May
next.
The lamented decease of Gen. Qpitman.
created, soon after, a vacancy in the Com
mittee, which was filled with the name Of
Gen. J J. McRae.
The Committee cannot believe that an ar
sument is necessary, to demonstrate to the
people of the %slaveholding States the impor-
lance oS.,nion among themselves and of mu-
tual good understanding in the origination
and discussio of questions essential to their
security and repose.
OF this nature are the questions which
come annually before the Convention, and
whatever diversity of opinion exists in re.
gard to some of them, it cannot be doubted
that the light which the discussions elicit,
and the conflict of mind and mind which they
induce, exercise an influence most salutary y:
and keep alive a spirit favorable to patriot
ism.
The presence annually At the Convention
of a large number of men of position and
character from every section of the South,
and of a large representation.fr from the masses
of the people, not under the restraints Of
party, and in no wise obligated to do its be-
hests, and the free interchange Of opinion
which takes place among them, is in itself an
important feature of the Convention, and. in
the absence of every other, should insure its
perpetuity. +s.
Ii is only from such assemblages that, in
periods Of great public peril, the hopes Of
the patriot can be realized-as the colonial
history Of the country evinced.
There is no name honored in the councils,
or revered in the hearts of the South, from
the earliest period Of its history to the pre-
sent, that may not be. claimed as authority
for everything that is sought by the Conven-
ton. From such patriot sources. have come
warnings OF danger, against which the Con-
~vention would provide, and appeals for ac-
ton to which the Convention would respond !;
and if any OF these are now to be found in
conflict with it, or interposing Discourage
ments, commonplace: yet sincere men, may
find it difficult to understand the peculiar in
f1uence N establishing the security and repose
of the South, which has been exercised by
the recent trinmphs Of Black Rtpudicanism IN
cuery free Slate Of tie North, and is seemingly
majornies in the Electoral Collage.
Fellow Citizens of the South, let US not be
into sleep and dreams of security, |
which experience teaches can only prove to
be ilusory, for opposition to slavery has en-
theSNorsh,a and can only Be met by wisdom
nnI E.wnMaa0R - %hn "a - ~ $hA 2nnfk
The power which threatened us in its in
is not likely to take a step backward in the
hour of its highest triumph, whatever to the
contrary it may be the interest or the want
Of nerve in politicians to teach.
There is much for, the Convention, how
ever, to do, beyond the discussion Of political
questions. important as are these, for within
its purview comes everything that relates to
The intellectual, moral, educational and indus
trial development of the South. To create
is to create. things
The Executives Of the several States and
The various municipal bodies of the South are
earnestly requested to send such delegates as
will best represent the opinion Of the body of
he people.
The ninth day of May will be a favorable
lime to visit Vicksburg, and tie citizens of
hat hospitable community invite to the
waters Of the Mississippi, the people of the
Atlantic States and of the Gulf.
Delegates to recent Conventions are in
to this.
J. p. B. DEBow, Of Louisiana.
JOHN J. McRAE, of Mississippi.
Guy BRYAN, Of Texas.
w. L. YANcx, of Alabama.
W. H, CHASE, of Florida. 49,
New. Orleans, March 81, 1859.
o. The management Of our country mails
s most wretched. The fn1i0winp incident is