Des Arc citizen., 1859-04-08
Southern Convention at Vicksburg.

Southern Convention at Vicksburg. To Me People of hs Slaueholdtng Stafes
 FELLOW w-CIrIzESs--A committee. con ssting of J. D. B. DeBow, of Louis jana Hon. John A. Quitman, of Mis- sissppi Hon. Guy M. Bryan, of Texas Hon. w. L. Yancey, of Alabama and Major W. H. Chase. of Florida was appointed at the late Southern Conven. ton in Montgomery, to invite the people of the Southern States to be represented at an adjourned meeting of the conven- ton in Vicksburg, Miss, on the ninth day of May nex.
 k The lamented decease of Gen. Qut. man, created, soon after, vacancy in the committee, which was filled with the name of Gen, J. J. McRae.
 The committee cannot believe that an argument is necessary to demonstrate tc the people of the slaveholding States the importance of union among themselves, and of mutual good understanding in the orignaton and discussion of questions es- sental 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 doubt ed that the light which the discussions elicit, and the conflict of mind and mind, which they induce, exercise an influence most salutary, and keep alive spirit favorable to patriotism.
 The presence annually at the conven- ton of large number of men of posi- ton and character from every section ol the South, and of large representation from the masses of the people, not under the restraints of party and in no wise obliged to do it's behests, and the free ln- terchange of opinion which takes place among them, Is itself an important iea- ture of the convention, and, in the absence of every other, should insure its perpetui- ty.
 It is only from such assemblages that, in periods of great public peril, the hopes of the patriot can be realized--as the CO., lonial history of the country evnced.
 There is no name honored in the coun- cils, or revered in the hearts of the South from the earliest period Of its history tc the present, that may not be claimed as authority for everything that is sought by the convention. From such patriotic sour ces have come warnings of danger against which the convention would pro- vide, and appeals for action to which the convention would respond and II any o these are now to be found in conflict witt it, or interposing dscouragements, com monplace, yet sincere men, may find difficult to understand the peculiar lntiu ence in establishing the security and re- pose of the South, which has been exer' cised by the recent triumpbs of Black Re publicanism in every free State of tue North, and it's seemingly secured maJorl ties in the Electoral College.
 Fellow-citzens of the South, let us no be gulled into sleep and dreams ot secu rity, which experience teaches can onl. prove to be ilusory, for opposition to slav ery has entered into the head and heart o the people of the North, and can alone bt met bv wisdom and firmness on the par of the South
 The power which threatened us Tn It infancy and weakness, unless met ant rebuked, 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 politician to teach.
 There is much for the Convention, how ever, to do beyond the discussion ot DO litical questions, important, as are these for within it's purview comes every'hln that relates to the intellectual, moral, edt cational and industrial development ol tn South. To create opinion IS to crea' things.
 The executives of the several State and the various municipal bodies of th South are earnestly requested to sen } such delegates as will best represent th opinions of the body of the people. , The 9th day of May will be a favo able time to visit Viclxsburg, and the cit zens of that hospiable community invil : to the waters of the Mississippi the peopl of the Atlantic States and of the Gulf. Delegates to recent conventions are II vited to this.
 l J. D. B. DEBOW, of Louisiana. } JOHN J. McRAE. of Mississippi.
 GUY NJ. BRYAN, of Texas.
 w. l.. YANCEY. of Alabama.