The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-09-19
Hon. B. R. Holmes, Benton.
RENrov Auoust 9Th 1850

Benton, August 9Th, 1860.
/ GENTLEMEN find myself this morning in
possession Of your communication, soliciting
answers to certain interrogatories, and asking
for my views on the present political condition
of our country, ''the principles and merits o:
| the several political parties, their respective
candidates for the Presidency and Vice Pre-
sidency, and in the present exigency of politi
cal affairs which one of these tickets in nv
opinion is the most worthy of the conf
dence and support of the Southern people"
i These questions, gentlemen, are entitled to
candid expression Of sentiment from me, since
on more than one occasion have been honor
ed with your confidence and elevated TO Offices
of trust Having long been associated with
the political in crest of our country, you
should have heard me sooner, had not recent
resolves determined me to remain silent
observer of passing political events, welded
as am to my profession, which will not per-
NIT me to mingle sgain in party strife. But
however loath / am to say word on this
| subject, the kindness and civllity with which
you present J our questions, entitle you to
candid and truthful replies, which ! cannot
conscientiously withhold. but which am not
vain enough to suppose will influence the
| opinions Of single voter in this county. /
| can but look with interest upon passing events
ami feel deeply the importance of the present
crisis in politics. Never before in its history,
has the republic witnessed such ruthless,
reckless fanaticisn1 on the part of our North
/ ern neighbors, who, with their sectional plat
/ forms and compromised candidates are matur-
i ing schemes to violate the Federal Constitu-
ton by laying violent hands upon the peculiar
institutions Of the South which constitute our
political vitality, and without which the world
itself would soon be beggared. From small
| minorities they have grown into threatening
m4jorities, and knowing the immenSity Of
| their strength. are becoming reckless and I'M
mindful Of the constitutional rights of others
They have marshalled their host and spread
their banners, on whose folds we read these
notices Down with slayery-it is viola
ton of Gods law; its promoters are williams
Its existence blot upon the escutcheon Of
this Union; we have vowed to wipe it out,
though Its shield be the Constitution of the
Republic, and zoe aoiU do it p' With these
insulting taunts Haunted in our faces, and
their hellish orgies sounding in our ears, is it
not high time that Southerners should stop
and take their longitude and calculate the lati-
tude Of their institutions ? Is it not time we
should devote one hour to calm reflection p
Should we not put our house in order and
cast about for some plan to secure the exis-
tence and the perpetuity OF our section Is
it not time to put aside party prejudices and
forget partisan pride, that we may meet and
counsel together for mutual protection For
getting minor differences, should we not halt
and contemplate this crises which fanaticism
has forced upon US !? Gentlemen,I said this
erias-and tt IS upon us-which We must
meet whether we would or not. 1t is too
late for Southern men to waste time in child
ing political opponents with having brought
about this exigency; it is too late to discuss
the meaps used to establish this condition of
affairs it is too late and too childish to taunt
one party by reminding them that their poll
teal errors have reduced US to the present
gloomy condition, or to remain inactive be-
cause, iorsooth, our voices were lifted in
warning of this event it is too late for men
who love their Southern homes, or cherish
their country's honor, to cayil now it is too
late for men who know their constitutional
rights and are determined to defend them
with their lives, to wrangle with each other,
or "hngging the delusive phantom of hope"
resting supinely on their backs in vain expec-
tation of a change tn Northern sentiment /; it is
too late, sirs, to count the cost of separation
dispnion, il You prefer the term.
Our opponents speak of change in the no.
litical sentiments OF the North, ard are SCUM
ding in our ears the same Authorization, that
thousands Of patriots there are coming to our
rescue; that Free Soilism, Abolitionism and
Black Republicanism Gall synony nous terms)
are dying out there, and that we have nothing
now to fear in this direction, &c. Yes, gem
tlemen, there is political change going on at |
the North, from badfto worse as far as we are |
concerned. Contemplate the following facts. |
and you will not only admit the progress of |
this change, but be startled at its consequent |
ces In l848. the Wing party cast vote of |
l,362, 232 the Democratic cast 1924. 7O5 |
votes while the abolition vote footed I'D only
POI 1873. In 1882 the Abolition vote for
President was only 1853 1873 while in 1856 |
as il in verifcation Of this Union shrek of
change in the Northern mind, we find they
have been able to cast only the insignificant
poll, 1,34l.514. In 1855 there was almost
unity of action to defeat the Black Republic
cans, thousands Of Fillmore votes being polled
for Buchanan under the impression of the
availability Of the Democratic ticket, with all
Of which, TO use cant expression, the South
was saved by the mere Skin of her teeth"
The North, unlike the South, is now in the
conflict with perfect union of sentiment and
action, while the South goes forth to meet this
enemy with three fractional parties, with diff
erent plans for attack and defence-our very
existence the stake-whilst in our midst s,
aundiced hearted politicians are shouting
"Union Union at every, at any cost b.
The Union il safe no danger from Black
Republicans p 1.-THE public mind in the |
North is undergoing CHANGE Sham /! Safe. !
indeed When you have but little more
public territory to relinquish no more interest !
won BY Southern blood and treasure to barter s
or the existence Of our institutions. what eIse
will you offer to appeass these vampires !?
Sirs, We must have union among ourselves:
We must act Let as counsel together, and
mite our fate for one common veal or woe
AN you doubt the necessity for this action ? To
sook ont upon the political horizon, and count q
he flags Of the enemy. In the Northern 2
jtates, one as broad and as wide rs the country
oats OVERT, on whose folds is inscrihed the
anne Of Lincoln for PRESIDENT Readit de.
ices :--aNo more slave Territory: Congress
onal interterence to abolish slavery; Slavery Y
hall Be abolished In the District of Columbia; =
'red Scott decisi an insult to common sense. ,
%, &cp Tell me there is no danger? No :
scessity for preparation, when under this fiag I
powerful and purely sectional party are bat 3
ing for political ascendency, pledged to each
hrr, that slavery, as itexists in the Southern I
tates Of the Union, Is . political sin; moral 7
ii for the abolitionof which many Of these g
natics have pledged their honor. their f,r- = =
mes. and their lives. They viii, in all pro- e. =.
biiity, elect their President. Let as look vi
home. Three partizan flags are flying over 60
7 divided and doomed peopIe-a people naz., g e.
) but one common interest, and that interest -
hass ssid openly, threatened By these