The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1859-09-21
From the Mobile Register
The Congressional Canvass.
LAuprRpAIr SPRINGS. Sent. 81. 1855

LAUDERDALE SPRINGS, Sept 81, 1859.
Mr.. EDITOR To-day the candidates for Con-
gress in this District, Messra Singleton and
Smith, addressed the people Of Lauderdale at
this place. There was q very fair attendance
Col Singleton, who is the Democratic nomi.
nee, opened the discussion in an able speech
Of about one hour and hall, and after few
preliminary remarks touched upon the Admin.
| istration Of Mr.. Buchanan. Col. 8. remarked
that he was not here to say that old Buck
had done all that was right-but was willing
| to give him his due-that under the Leadership
Of Gen. Cass the foreign affairs Of the country
had been well managed-that the vexed ques.
ton of the right of search had been settled
that the Central American question was also
in fair way Of being arranged satisfactorily
to the people, and In accordance with the
principles Of the Monroe doctrine-Engla
abandoning her construction Of the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty and her protectorate in Cen.
trail America.
Col s., however, was strongly opposed to
any modification of the tariff and especially
such as had been recommended by the Presi-
dent. He thought that even ut the coming
session of Congress an effort would be made
to change the tariff, and thereby protect
Northern labor and industry at the expense Of
the South. He was also opposed to the con-
struction of the Pacific Railroad BY Congress,
giving among other reasons that its cost would
be immense, and the money as usual would
have to come out of the pockets of the South
ern people, while its practical results would be
the ACCOMPLISHMENT Of the North, as far as it
could possibly be done by the sectional and
illiberal legislation of Congress. He smoke at
some considerable length upon the Question of
Slavery, and our home troubles as a nation,
and contended that, in consequence of North
ern fanaticism and the lowering down of all
heads before its power and influence, the in
stitution Of slavery had no protection by the
Government-that the non-respect for their
oath of1office of the Abolition members of
Congress, and of Northern Office holders, the
total disregard Of all law by the Northern
people and their determination to prevent the
execution of the fugitive slave law-daiIy
rendered the tenure in slave property more
precarious-that droves Of slaves were being
sent into the Gulf States from the border
States and slavery was becoming more con-
tracted and less secure. The institution Of
slavery he regarded as o divine blessing,
which must be upheld and protected at ali
hazards-it must be sustained and protected
among US as people-and the idea Of ever
under any circumstances allowing our slaves
to be emancipated and remain among Us on
terms Of equality could not be tolerated for q
moment.
Col s. was severe in his denunciation Of
Douglas, and declared that he would not vote
for him, even if he should be nominated BY
the Charleston Convention. Col. s. remarked
that the Wing party in the North was gone,
and that the Democratic party was well nigh
shorn Of its strength by Abolitionism /; that
the Northern members Of the House of Rep
resentatives were Free Soil and unffiendly to
the South; and that in few years he expec
ted to see the Senate contain majority Of
Free Sellers; that the judiciary afforded some
little protection, but the occurrence Of few
more outrages and the South would have to
dare do or die. He thought, however, that the
South could rely upon Mr.. Buchanan.
Col. s. seemed to favor dissolution Of the
Union, as he thought that the South would be
compelled to degrade herself If she remained
for he saw no abatement in the aims and
schemes Of the Abolitionists to wroag and
trample on her rights and interests. In the
event Of the election of Seward, or any other
Black Republican, to the Presidency, he was
in favor Of the Southern people taking such
prompt and decisive action as to prevent his
ever being the President of the United States.
Then, and in that event, let the South dissolve
and establish Southern confederacy, and, il
need be, take possession of Mexico, country
now without government
Capt. Frank Smith, the Opposition candi-
date, replied in an excellent plain, straight for
ward speech, Of the same length of time. He
was eminently conservative, and did not see
so much cause to apprehend danger Is his CD
ponent be was not the candidate Of any con.
Vention or caucus, and called none of those ap-
pliances into requisition to advance his interest
or secure his election. He takes the position
that the State Rights party of 1850 and 1851
was right, and that the South had annie cause
for q dissolution of the Union at that time,
but the people willed differently. He contend
ed that it would be wrong now to dissolve the
Union, in the event Of the election Of Black
Republican to the Presidency, that the people
of the North had the constitutional right to
elect Seward, Hale or Chase, and thnt the
people Of the South ought not to favor dis
solution because the people Of the North exer-
cised that constitutional right; and upon that
issue he was willing to stake his election
O SS@tc0 L1dk ia TIC ctenb VI Sk10 AxOAMdAA1eiOl
Of Judge Douglas by the Charleston Conven-
ton, he would give him his support, and that
he would vote for him even IS an independent
candidate.
The foregoing are the main and principal
points at issue between these two gentlemen.
Captain Smith is plain practical man and q
heightened gentleman of the old school, but !
cannot subscribe to his position that the cleo
ton of Black Republican President would
afford no cause to the South for dissolution
of the Union. The personal relations between
these gentlemen is very pleasant and kind
The position of Col. Singleton is that of all
the Democratic candidates ia Mississippi both
for State Offices and Congress, and all Of them
will be elected. In this District, from what
can learn, think that there is no doubt of the
reelection of Col Singleton BY q very large
majority.
N. D. Haynes, Esq, the Democrats candi-
date for State Treasurer was also present. but
declined making any remarks, other than an
nouncing himself as candidate.