The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1860-05-23
F0T % E15ffTn tTITI17-
OUR DELEGATES AT CHARLESTON

I OUR DELEGATES AT CHARLESTON.
Mn. EDITOR IL noticed in the last nuIs-
Der Of the Cari0H an article in relation to
the late secession movement at Charles
ton, which has doubtless ere this attracted
the special attention Of many Of your
readers. Your contended, then, and /
suppose you still adhere to the conviction
then expressed. that it is the imperative
! duty Of those States whose delegates sece-
ded from the National Convention to sus-
tain and uphold them in the course they
/ saw proper TO pursue. In this, you will
have the full and hearty concurrence Of
the Mississippi Democracy. Indeed, when
/ il is taken into consideration, that a por-
ton Of these delegates were boand by in
/ structions, and had no power, whatever
10 act in accordance with the dictates Of
their own iudgment-and that Others
had received their appointment upon a
/ platform Of principle, which, as honora-
bic men and faithful public servants, they
were bound 20 respect and abide by in
| the National COMMUNICATIONS these
I things into consideration, il is difficult to
see how any sane or unprejudiced man
/ can find room to complain Of this action.
In the Convention, they treated their
Northern brethren with all the courtesy
which was due them, and expressed their
great regret that the difference Of opinion
Z artaffuIs ~, ff,n n,v,,g.--,tg. ~. .L...rI
present so insurmountable an obstacle 10
their harmonious action-insisting at the
same time, however, upon the adoption Of
a platform Of principles. acknowledy ing
the great doctrine Of State equality. The
Convention refusing to do this, they very
/ properly withdrew. and declined further
participation in its deliberations.
And, now. as heartily as may all ap-
prove the action Of the seeding delega-
tons, every true and faithful advocate Of
Democratic principles. must regret the
necessity which has brought about divis-
ion Of the party into two separate and
distinct factions. Il is, indeed, a sad spec.
tacle, to see our glorious old party thus
broken up, and scattered into fragments.
Little did We dream a few years ago. that
IL was doomed % such a fate. Little did
We think in 1856. when the Cincinnati
platform was published to the world, that
one Of is most powerful advocates, and a
man universally recognized as one Of the
ablest eSpounders Of National Democracy
in The country ,would, before the expiration
Of the term Of office Of the man who had
been nominated upon It, not only as
sumo an attitude Of hostility to his admins
tration, but desert his followers, abandon hi.
former principles, and place himselfat the
head Of a faction. advocating doctrine
almost as injurious to the interests Of the
South, and almost as subversive Of hei
rights, as the negro-equality doatrine Of
Black-Republicanism. But such has beer
the case, and we must now abide the con
sequences of his traitbrous conduct. W,
find some little consolation. however, in
the hope that time may place things in thei
! proper light and that it may demonstrat,
to the deluded followers Of this ambitious
and aspiring man, the absolute folly, an,
utter absurdity Of his attempts to depriy,
the South Of her just rights. and that, too
in direct violation Of the Constitution
which all public men are sworn to obey
There was a time, and that time has no
D been long ago, when the South had un
, limited confidence in Mr.. Douglas patri
Z otism and political integrity. But his op
l position to the administration on the lie
e compton question. and his subsequent re
! pudiation OF the plainest principles o
e State equality, show there that he is, b,
+ no means, eatitled to the respect or con
j, sideration Of any Southern man, who ha
4 proper regard for the rights and inter
b est OF his own section. The charges O
g Inconsistency and political dishonesty
p may sound rather harshly to some Of YOU
= readers, but a. a native Of the South,
y venture to state my belief, that as poll
Z tician, Mr.. Douglas is one Of the most in
Il consistent and INSCRIPTIONS men Of TN
y pra-antday. To sub.tanliate these charg
= e.. u b unnecessary 70 20 into a review o
his political career. Ills course in regart
j 10 quatter-sovereignty and the presen
!, administration, has become matter Of hi.
p tory. II Is known and read Of all men,
= Every one has formed his opinions respect
r ing Il, and shall not discuss IL. Every tru
y Southern, State Rights man. il seems +
= me must condemn IL. But to the dele
I, gates.
n That their action should receive the en-
9 dorsement Of the States. in whose behal
= they acted, yea even Of the entire South
y seems to mo cannot be doubted. II
. true, that since their return home, the
, have been severely and unnecessarily cen
: sured for their course. by a few sheets de
}, voted TO Douglas, but it Is a well know
2 fact, that these few sheets do not properl
, represent the position Of the Southern
, people upon this important question. Al
true Southern men had long before tn
meeting Of the Charleston Convention
g formed their opinion in regard to squaI
, ter-sovereigniy-they had long before tina
= time repudiated Il as a dangerous and al
= surd doctrine and had clearly seen tina
!. II carried out in the administration Of ia
= Government, i would operate As iniuriou
ly 10 the interests Of the South, and in tn
Is end, WOULD be as subversive to her right
= a. the favorite theory Of Black-Republi,
d anism. Therefore, in appointing del,
, gates 70 this body they deemed it thei
Il duty to themselves and to their section
e 10 instruct them 10 insist upon the a
= acknowledgement Of the great doctrine f,
a State equality.
, These delegates thus appointed wer
q met on the threshold Of the Convention
= by the representatives Of Northern D,
i mooraoy, who showed plainly that thei
, object in coming 10 Charleston WAS IN
nomination Of Mr.. Douglas-and tina
they intended nominating him upon
platform acknowledging his doctrine G
J squattersovereignty. In vain was thei
patriotism and their love Of the Democrat