New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-12-11
NUMBER 240.

In order therefore, that the future position and
proper policy of the State of louisiana may re-
ceive the thonghtfal and calm consideration which
it deserves, and that her citzens may have an op
portunity Of giving form and expression to their
views in this regard, recommend to Jour homer
able bodies 10 provide for the election of members
OF Convention as soon as may be proper with
due regard 10 time, 10 whom shall be corssnitted
the duty and responsibility Of determining that
position, and shaping that policy 30 far az Effects
the relations Of Louisiana to the Federal Govern
ment. That Convention will meet, consult, and
decide without regard to my opinions contained
in this Message, but do not think it proper unds7
. existing emergencies, that J, the Chief Executive
Officer OF te State, should omit the expression OF
my convictions as 20 the course which our State
ought to pursue.
I have earnestly desired that Conference or
Convention Of the siayeholdfng States should be
hsfd, In order that they might counsel together
and act unite3iy in this grave crisis. still deaire
that such Conference shall be had if practicable
in point Of time. Louisiana ought not 70 refuse to
meet her sister o5avehoding States in corTscl ann
there unitedly determine Bpon firm deaaand to
be made of the Northern States for the repeal OF
their obnoxious legislation, and the guarantee and
security of those rights which have SO long been
persis.snty refused Still, although such a course
has seemed to my Fgind desirable, and had hoped
that practical and practicable plan might erethis
have been suggested to accomplish this object 5dc
not thinthe action Of Louisiana should be unreass-
ably postponed under the mere hope eaPecaa-
tion that such a body would be at some distaat
time convened. 1t should meet at once, and de-
terine at once, before the day arrves for the in
auguration of Black Republican President
do not think it comports with the honor and
self-respect of louisiana as slaveholding State,
to live under the government of Black Republican
President. / will not dispute the fact that Mr..
Lincoln is elected according to the forms of the
Constitution; but the greatest outrages, both upon
public and private rights, have been perpetrated
under the forms Of law. This question rises
high above ordinary political considerations. 1t
involves our present honor, and cur future
O fpca linda 3art.
may be said that when this Union was formed it
was intended to be perpetual. So it was SO, for
such q term can be applied to anything human;
but it also intended to be administered in the
spirit in which it was made, with scrapulous
gard to the equality of the sovereigRties eompos-
ing it. We certainly are not placed in the position
of subjects of European despotisrn, whose only
door Of escape from tyranny is the right Of reyo-
luton. maintain the right of each State to Sc.
cede from the UnioH,3 and therefore whatever
course Louisiana may pursue new, if any attempt
should be made by the Federal Government to CO.
cree q sovereign State, and compel her to subms-
sion to authority which she has ceased to reeog-
nize, should unhesitatnglys recommend that Lou
isana assist her sister State with the same alacrity
and courage that the colonies assisted each other
in their struggles against the despotsm of the old
world.
If am not mistaken in public opinion the Con
yention, if assembled, will decide that Louisiana
will not submit to the Presidency Of Mr.. Lincoln In
the temper of the Northern mind is not possible
to foresee the course of policy that Congress may
| determine upon, and it is the part of wisdom to
prepare ourselves for any emergency that its egis
| lation may produce. We are without arms to de-
fend ourselves from attack should our sovereignty
| be assaied, and it therefore becomes our impera
tive duty to adopt immediate measures for supply
| ing ourselves with all materials for war;. In the
brief period which you are likely to remain in
| sion it would be impractcable to reorganze our
militia system sound basis. In order, there
fore, to be prepared for prompt and iudicious
| tion recommend the creation of Military Board,
or Commission, whose duty it shall be to purchase
| arms and distribute them to volunteer companies
| throughout the State, under system to be
devised by the Board. This Board should also
| be required to mature plan for the reorganiza-
| ton of oar militia, and report to the regular
| session Of the General Assembly on the first day
of the session. 1t should be composed of meI
of military education and experience, who vii
thoroughly understanding our wants. and the bes
and least expensive mode of providing for them
A liberal appropriation ought to be made by the
General Assembly-not less than half million o
dolars-to be expended, under the authority d
the Board, in the purchase of the best made arms
Of the most improved patterns. Even if our rela
tons with the Federal Government were other thar
| they are, should still recommend the same appro
priation i, for the State may be said to be amos
entirely without arms as you will find by reference
to the report of the Adjutant General, which &C.
companies this message.
THOMAS o. MOORE.
EXECUTIVE orrlcE, Baton Rouge, Dec 10, 1860