Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-04-08
SOUTHERN CONVENTION AT v.cKsBURG.

To tie Ptopi. IF he SIt-rho"iD9 >tatts:
Fellow. Citizcns--A Committee. consisting Of
j. ID. b. Dclow. Of Louisiana: Hon John a.
Quitma'r. Of Mississippi: Hon. GUY VI. Bryan. Of
Texas; Hon " l.. lanccy. OF Alabaml. and
Major W H. Chase Of Florida. was appointed
at the late Southern Convcntionip Montgomery,
to invite the people Of the Southern States to
bc represented at an adjourned meeting Of the
Convention in Nich> >burg. Mis-. on the 9TH day
Of Nav next.
The lamcntci drccasc OF General Quitman
created soon after n vacancy IN the Committee,
which was filled with the name Of General j. j.
McRac
) The Committee cannot believe that an argyll
ment is necessary to demonstrate To the people
Of the slavcholdng States the importance Of
union among themselves, and of mu'ual good
understanding in the originaiion and discussion
of questions essential 10 their security and re-
pose.
OF this nature are the questions which come
annually before the Convention. and whatever
diversity OF opinion exist, in regard To some Of
them. il cannot be- doubted that the light which
the discussions elicit. and the conflict Of mind
and mind which they in'ucc exercise an intiu-
cncc most sautarv. and keep alive spirit "a
vorablc to patriotism.
The presence annually at the Convention Of
n large number Of men Of position and charac-
ter from every section Of the South, and OF n
large representation from the masses Of the
people. not under the restraints Of party. and
in no wise obligated to do It's bchcStS. and the
free interchange nf opinion which takes place
among them. is Itself an important feature Of
the Convention, and. in the absence Of every
other. should insure lis ptrpctnty
1t is only from such aSscmhlases that, in pc.
rods of great public peril. the hopes Of the
patriot can be rcalizrd---as the colonial history
oi the country erinccd.
Their. is no name honorrd in the councils. or
rercrci in the hearts OF the South. from the
carlie. period Of lis history to the present that
NAV not dc claimed as authority for everything
that is sought bv the convention From such
patriot sources have come warnings Of danger,
acans, which the convention would provide,
and nppeals for action TO which tn. convention
would respond: and il any of these are now TO
be- found in conflict with IT, or intcrpoSing dis
couragcmcntS. common. place, vet sincere mon
NAV iini il difficult to understand the peculiar
influence in establishing the security and re-
pose of the South. which has been exercised hy
the ryr,rt tri'uapis of BL,ck R,gy6ijcaninm
IN erery rr,c state ot N. .Iorth 0nd n' se'nl-
iagiy s,torcd mljoritits i" the o|eetor"t COL
legc.
Fellow citizens Of the South, let us not be
lullei into sleep and dreams of security, which
experience teache, can only prove 10 be IlluSo-
ry' for opposition to slavery has entered into
the head and heart Of the people Of the North
and ran alone be met nv wisdom and tirmness
on the part OF the South.
The power which threatened lis in its infnn
cy and weakness. unless met and rebukcd. Is
not likely to take Il step backward in the hour
Of its highest triumph whatever to the contra
rv it may be the interest or the want Of nerve
in politicians To teach.
There is much for the convention. however.
to 10 beyond the discussion of political ques'
tons. important as are these for within its p'ir-
vcw comes everything that relates 10 the intel.
lcctual, moral, educational and IN lIl>lral de'
vclu u,rncnt Of the South. To create opinion IS
to create things.
The Executives OF the several States AMI the
various municipal bodies Of the South are ear.
nestly requested 10 send Snch delegates as VIII
best represent the opinion, ol the BODY ot the
: people :,
The ninth day Of Miy will be favorable
: time n wish V,rk-burg. and the citizens OF that
hosnirabIe community invite 10 the waters OF
the Missis.pp tn. people Of the Atlantic States
and of the Cult
Delegates 10 recent conventions are invited
; n this j. D. b. DEBow, of La.
.JonN J. McRAE, Of Miss.
+ LuY N. BRYAN. OF Texas.
W. l.. YAScEY. Of Ala.
W. II. CHASE. Of Fla
\cr O-le,ns N.-rh 81 1871