The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1859-04-06
Southern Convention at vicksburg.

To he people Of III. .SlarcholdiEg States:
FELLOW CITIzENS:-A committe, consist
ing of !. d. i. DeBow, Of Louisiana, Hon.
John A. QUitman, of Mississippi. Hon.
Guy NJ. Bryan, of Texas Hon. w. /.
Gancey of Alabama, and Major w. II.
Chase Of Florida, was appointed at the late
Southern Convention in Montgomery, 10
invite the people of the Southern States
to be represented atan adjourned meeting
Of the Convention III Nicksburg, Miss, on
the ninth day Of May next.
The lamented deceasc Of Gen. Quitman.
created, soon after, vacancy in the com
mittee, which was filled with the name of
Gen. j. J. McRae.
The committee cannot believe that an
argument is necessary to demonstrate to
the people of the slaveholding States the
importance of union among themselves,
and Of mutual good understanding in the
origination and discussion of questions es-
sential 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. ii cannot be doubt
ted that the light which the discussions
elicit. and the conflict OF mind and mind
which they induce, exercise an influence
ill'Sl HstlNlltAI tliNA any II Id
yOrable to patriotism.
The presence annually at the Conven-
ton of a large number Of men of position
and character from every section of the
South, and of large representation from
the masses of the people, not under the
restraints of party, and in no wise obliga-
| ted to do its behests, and the free inter
! change of opinion which takes place
| among them, Is itselfan important feature
| of the Convention, and, in the absence OI
| every other, should insure its perpetuity
1t Is only from such assemblages that. ii
periods of great public peril, the hopes OF
/ the patriot can be realized-as the colonial
1 history of the country evinced.
There is no name honoTed in the coun.
ellis, or revered in the hearts of the South.
from the earliest period of its history to
the present, that may not be claimed rs
authority for everything that is sought by
the Convention. From such patriotic sour
ces have come warnings of danger, against
which the Convention would provide.
and appeals for action to which the Con
/ vention would respond and if any of
/ these are now to be found in conflict with
/ it, or interposing discouragements, com
! mon-place, yet sincere men, may find it
/ difficult to understand the peculiar infu-
4 ence in establishing the security and re-
/ pose of the South, which has been eXer-
| cised by the recent triumph Of Black RegaJ-
! Ecatism IN crcry free State Of the North. and
its seemingly secured mqjo1ifcs IN the Electoral
! College.
Fellow-citizens of the South, let us not
! be lulled into sleep and dreams Of securi-
/ ty, which experience teaches can only
/ prove to be illusory, for opposition to slave
/ ~ has entered into the head and heart OF
/ the people of the North, and can only be
met by wisdom and firmness on the part
| of the South
The power which threatened US in its
infancy and weakness, unless met and re-
| buked, is not likely to take step back
ward in the hour of its highest triumph,
/ whatever to the contrary it may be the in
terest or the want of nerve in politicians
/ to teach.
| There is much for the convention. how
7 ever, to do beyond the discussion of polit-
/ zeal questions, important as are these. for
I within its purvlew comes everything that
relates to the intellectual, moral. cduca-
( tlonal and industrial development of the
South. To create opinion is to create
4 things.
The executives of the several States
and the various municipal bodies of the
South are earnestly requested to send
delegates as will best represent the opin.
/ ions of the body of the people.
/ The 9th day of May viii be favorable
time to visit Nicksburg, and the citizens
of that 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
vited to this.
J. d. B. DEBOW. of Louisiana.
JOHN J. McRAE, of Mississippi
GUY NJ. BRYAN, of Texas.
w. J.. NANCEY, of Alabama.
w. II. CHASE, of Florida.
N70 Orleans, March, 1859.