The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1859-08-31
Letter from Messrs. Bynum and Roberts.

Nol. =. X. ADAMS :-,Nr. Permit us
through the columns of your valuable and
widely circulated paper to place ourselves
right before the country in reference to
the course We deemed it our duty to per.
sue at the recent Monroe Convention.
held to nominate candidate for Senator.
in the District composed of the counties
Of Jones, Greene, Perry, Covington and
Marion.
We were members of that Convention.
and the only representatives from our re-
spectivo counties, Greene and Perry
Actingin our representative capacity, and
under a sense of the obligations we owed
to those who sent Us. we felt constrained
to object totally to the resolution. pledg-
ing the convention and the democratic
party Of this District to the policy of levy
inga tax on thepeople to build a Railroad
and instructing their nominee, if elected,
to vote in the Legislature for hill having
that object We thought this action of
the convention. assuming a. it did the
power toincorporate new plank in the
| Democratic platform. wa, travelling be-
| yond The legitimate sphere ot il. duties
and DO, powers. and Initiated 10, authority
| to speak iur rr bind the Democracy OF
| this District We iii not believe it war
/ riutei by the state of sentiment among
| the sovereign people, whom the delegate
/ f.. n.
/ They could claim authority that il was a
1 premature and Unauthorized attempt. by
/ % representative body convened for q Size.
I rill purpose. Go go beyond that purpose.
and iutu.Gratr "a new feature 81 State pol
icy. q stop which could De- properly taken
only after fall and fair discussion befor,
the people. and then 10y the general voice
| sc the party, assembled in State Couvcn
ton. With these opinions. strongly inn
! pressed on our minds. We could see no
other course left iorus, as good democrats.
bound % represent their constituents. and
NOT tp travel beyond the limits Of their
authority. but respectfully to withdraw
the counties Of Greene and Perry from
the Convention. We did this in no fac.
tious or di~orcanizing spirit. but simply
Tor the reason that we could not. without
rs we believed, "a betrayal of our trust
give our assent to the platform upon
which majority Of the Convention hao
determined TO place the candidate;
platform which they exceeded their pow
rrs, and travelled beyond the objects o
their appointment to iopt.
We always have been, and expect al
ways to remain, straight out Democrats
ever ready to stand by and uphold tn
usages and the men of the party. W
stand now, where we have always stood
but claim the right for ourselves and on
people. to dissent from any fragrant vic
lation Of democratic principles and usage
though it be perpetrated in the name q
Democracy We claim the right Of in
dependent thought and action. in carry
, ing out what we believe to be the will c
a vast majority of our fellow democrat
and citizens generally.
\ word a. to thcpolicy embodied in tn
resolution that forced US from the Cor
vention: We claim to be democrats
good and true. and that reason of itSel
, Is enough to diSincline Us to the new Do,
trine that the Legislature has the RICH
10 TAR he many for ne Jsagf, Of the fs7r.-
The objects for which government is il
stitutcd are few and simple in their cha
acter-to secure the life, liberty and pro-
erty Of the citizen, and to preserve ord,
in society. The high prerogative of tax
ton is yielded to the law making pow,
to secure these objects. and it cannot /
Justly used for any other. The govern
ment should not travel beyond these o
iects. When it does, there ceases to be
limit to its power. and no one can tell no
partial, unequal and unjust it may becou
in its operations upon different section
or interests. If the Legislature of Nj
sissippi can take money out of the poke
of the people to build a railroad. it "
be found difficult to conceive of any pu
pose for which they MAY not do the san
thing. The people have always been ia,
~ sensitive on this subject. and will
h very far. in our Judgment. from approvil
a, this new policy. II shall never be throu,
=, our Hstrumcntality that it j. made a pa
\ ot ANY democratic creed or platform.
W. have sent You this communicate
i, Mr.. Editor simply to place our,ely
:. right on the record. and that we may =
or no in. Justice from the wan, Of prop
No., understanding OF the facts Of the case.
&c the people of the District. We have
i; personal interests to sub>erve in the M
IN ter. OF personal ends to accomplish. Fl
:, ther than to give fair explanation Of O
IN conduct. which is due alike 10 ourselv
.-s and those who honored u a. their rep
iss -en'atIves. Having endeavored To-
NJ this IN manner respectful to al concel
=; I'd. we leave the subject where az last
"a properly bcl0ngs-in the hands OF t
IL people DRURY BYNCM.
~ Delegate from Perry
~, HENRY ROBERTS.
Delegate from Green