The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1859-08-10
The Slave Trade.


The following extracts from letter OF Dr.
D. r. Walsh, of Smith county, responsive to
call upon him to become candidate for the
Legislature, are well worthy of perusal we
copy from the Eastern Clarion:
On this question (the slave trade) even
among ourselves, very discordant views and
opinions prevail. Many think, and with this
class I, most cordially coincide, that it Is OF
too profound and sacred character to be in
troduced into the arena of politics, and form
an element of political discussion in an elec-
tioneering campaign for no other purpose than
to serve as hobby for vain and unprincipled
aspirants to ride into political power.
1t is novel issue, and the people have not
had time to reflect on its merits, or dement's,
SO as to be able to give such discussion as its
importance demands at their hands and of
which they might not hereafter repent. As
for myself have no hesitancy in saying that
I am Il i.xor of re-opening the trade. were il
pr1cEcable but It Is not at Pfesefs kess
under existing circumstances, we cannot ex-
pect to see it among the universally recognized
articles of ofinternational commerce. And why I
Because the Congress of the United States, as
it is now constituted, will not repeal the pirat-
ical and unconstitutional law prohibiting it
1t is useless to think, and it would be folly for
the South to suppose she could induce Con-
gess, either by threats, entreaties or conces-
sions, to repeal law the majority respect and
revere more than they do the hallowed Con-
stitution of their ilustrious fathers; OF even
the Constitutional High Heaven, transmitted
to us through the Gospel of Him, who de-
scended from on high, and died on cross for
the redemption of all, save and except (hu-
morously) the Black Republicans, Freesoilers
and blood stained Abolitionists Of the North
The only thing, therefore, the South can do,
will be to remove all disabilities at home to
encourage the traffic within her own limits
by wholesome legislation. This can be done
through the action of the State Legislatures
repeating all prohibitory and penal laws that
may be Incorporated in their constitutions, or
enrolled on their statute books. By legaliz-
ing the buying and selling Of negroes, no mat
ter from what part Of the Globe they may be
waited to our shores, under the same rules,
regulations and restrictions that govern other
species Of commerce that seek q market
amongst us. Bold spirits and enterprising
men will be found who will run the risk Of
the seas, and land on our shores a supply Of
Young, active and doeile negroes if not in
sufficient numbers to supply the demand,
enough at least, to supply the place of those
that are stolen and abducted from us by the
negro thieves of the North.
. Under these wholesome and salutary ar
rangements no man need dread an influx of
wild Africans into the country /; and this, per-
haps is the nearest approximation that can
be made towards re-opening 1t while the Union
lasts.
am no disunioniSt, nor would Qf could)
dissolve the Union for the sake of re-opening
the slave trade ceteris pdTidHs, all things else
being equal. But as Southerner and States
Rights Democrat, | honestly believe that there
is not, nor should there be, any bond Of Union
sufficiently strong to claim the Southern Peo-
pie to any principle of confidence at the ex-
pense of their rights, their honor and innate
love of equality in all things appertaining to
the dignity, happiness and elevation Of the
human family.
There are other topics which | should like
to have noticed but this communication is now
more lengthy than | intended will vote for
any Southern man for President who may be
lucky enough to get the nomination but l
doubt whether / could be induced to vote for
any man north of Mason and Dixon's line
| but under no circumstance could be induced
to vote for Douglas. Seward before Douglas.
| always prefer an open enemy to hidden
| foe Davis is my choice over all other men
| living either North or South for reasons
which win make known st some time
RALEIGH, July %, 1859.