The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-08-08


irresistible that should he be elected to the
Presidency, he would give his sanction to the
measure.
In what attitude would this leave the SOW
ereign State of Mississippi Formally, with
due elaboration, and speaking in her sovereign
capacity, she has pledged herself to resort ito
measures of resistance" sgainst the federal
government should Congress take 'any action |
on the subject of SLAVERY IN THE DIS
TRICT OF COLUMBIA, or in places subject
to the jurisdiction Of Congress, incompatible |
toid the safety and domestic t-anqWhty-the
yIqhts and honor of the slaue holding States" |
This is the solemn resolve of the State
Convention of 1851, comprised of delegates
chosen directly by the people with full authori-
ty to act, and two-thirds of whom were MEM
bers of the "Union party"
Among the leading "Union" men who were
members of that body and who were instru-
mental in committing the State to this position,
we may mention the following who are now
prominent actors in this canvass, engaged in
the cause of Bell and Everett, viz: William L.
Sarkey, of Kinds; William 4. Lake, Of
Warren j. W. C. Watson, Estate Elector) of
Marshall Amos r. Johnston, Estate Elector)
of Kinds SylUaaus Ecans, 9th district Elec-
tori of Lauderdale Orlando Davis, of Tippah
to say nothing of Benjamin NJ Kinyon, of
Tishomingo, and JEFF. Wilson, of Pontotoc,
who under the guise of Douglasism, are doing
what they can to help on the fortunes of
the Bell and Everett party.
Now in what sort of dilemma would Messrs.
Sharkey, Watson, Johnston, Evans & Co.,
place the people of this State They have
gone to work and under the solemnity of their
oaths, with full knowledge of all the fearful
responsibilities resting upon them, pledged
them to assume an attitude of hostility to the
federal government, in the event it performs
specified act, and now they are using their ut
most endeavors to elect a President who
holds that it is within the power of the federal
government to perform that act and who
prescribes it as great healing conservative
measure" for theSountry Are they striving
to bring about collision between the authori-
ties of Mississippi and the federal government?
Whatever may have been their motives, their
ingenuity could not have suggested more
efficient plan for the accomplishment of this
end. Have they changed front Are they
prepared to say that they rashly. and without
due consideration. prscipitated the State into
position from which they would now ask
her to rescue herself by retreating We
have summoned these leaders to the bar of
public opinion, and shall press these points
upon them until their case is definitely deci-
ded by the grand inquest of the people in
November
But the record of the Opposition leaders in
Mississippi on this grave question, is far from
being complete in the foregoing.
We find BY reference to the history of the
past, that on the 7th day of May, 1849,
Meeting of the citizens of Central Mississip-
pi' was he'd in Jackson, to take into consid-
Grafton the subjects of the extension of slave
labor in the newly acquired territories, and
its existence in the District Of Colunabia."-
Gov. Joseph W. Matthews presided over the
meeting and explained its objects and inten-
tons $50 says the official journaD in brief
and appropriate manner" "The Hon. W. L.
Slarkey $50 says the chronicle) then address,
ed the meeting in further explanation of the
objects for which it had assembled, and urged
the propriety of making this preliminary
meeting to Convention at some future period
of the citizens of the respective counties of
the entire State-and concluded his remarks
by offering the following resolution which
was unanimously adopted
"Resolved, That committee of be
appointed to draft resolutions and prepare an
address explanatory of the objects of this
meeting"
This committee was composed of prominent
men irrespective of party, with William L.
Sbarkey as their Chairman. His address
was bret, but strong, pointed and explicit. 1t
was free from double-meaning and double
dealing. From this paper we copy the follow
ing paragraphs containing an unequivocal COM
initial upon the issue in hand:
The delegation from this State, in the last
Congress, with entire unanimity, have given
the history Of the progressive encroachments
on our rights, and have pointed out the evils
to be apprehended. As faithful sentinels |
they have warned us Of approaching danger,
and are entitled to our appreciation. As citi- |
zens of Southern State, it becomes US to |
vinGicate the sovereignty of that State, and it I
is proper that the whole South should act with
The legislature of Virginia, in March, l847,
passed resolutions condemning the Wilmot /
Proviso, and asserting therghts Of the SOUTH
srn States; and again IN January, I849, by
IN overwhelming vote, re-afiirmed the resolu-
tons Of 1847, and passed others, protesting
against any action of Congress on the slave
trade and slavery an he District of Columbia.
Thoso resolutions clearly and forcibIy set forth
the constitutional rights of the South, and ICE
ioo.dd glue them our most unqualified concur
We cannot but regard any legislation, by
Congress, either past or to come, which in any
degree, either directly or remotely, may seem
to give sanction to the authority of that body
over the subject, as yoid for scaat of polcer,
and in Us tendency destfuctiye of The prtalcs-
pies of the Union, which should be held inyio-
liable in every feature.
In accordance with the resolution of Judge
Sharkey, the people Of all parties, waving po-
itical differences. met in their primary assem-
olages and appointed delegates to Conyen-
ion held in jackson on Monday, October lst
Is4s The Hon. William T. SAarasy, presi-
led over this Convention, and upon taking the
hair delivered strong argument against the
enets, doctrines and aims of the Abolition +,
'rganization. This Convention UNANI-
AoUsLY adopted among other resolutions,
be following:
3. That Congress- has no poscer to pass ana
ds0 abolishing slavery IN the District Of Col
iaabia, or to prohibit the slave trade between |
be several State, or to prohibit the introdtlc-
ion of slavery into the territories of the IIni-
ed States and that the passage BY Congress
# any such law, would not only be q danger
us violation of the Constitution, but would a
ford evidence Of fixed and deliberate de-
ion on the part of that body, to interfere with !
be institution Of slavery in the States. III
4. That we would regard the passage. by n
ongress, Of the aWilmot Proviso,n (Which 4
Fould. in effect, deprive the citizens of the a
Iayeholding States Of an equal participation +
! the territories acquired equally by their C
Iood and treasure,) as IN unjust and Insult s
3 discrimination which these States n
,nuot without political degradation, submit t,
d 70 which thisconyention, representing the !