Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-04
Letter from Juage DloIln.on Of mI..l.-

sIppi.
COLUMBUS. Mss, Oct. 2sth, 1860
GESrKHES regret that it is impossible for me to
meet with you in your "Mass Meeting on the Sd day
of November next Z and join the champions of the
Constitution and the Equality of the States in one
more bold effort in Tennessee, for their successful
-vindication before the people
The occasion would also have presented to me
another opportunity CT disabusibg the minds Of many
of the citizens of your State in regard to the posi-
ton of the Democratic party of Mississippi adopted
in the Convention of July, 1859.
enclose You the entire platform of the State
adopted in advance Of the meeting of the Charles
ton Convention. The 4th resolution is as follows:
aReSolUed That in the event of the election os the
Black Republican candidate TO the Presidency, by
the suffrages of one portion of the Union only TO
rule over the whole United States, upon the avowed
purposes of that organization, Mississippi will re-
gard it declaration of hostility, and will bold
herself in readiness to cooperate with her sister
States of the South, in whatever measures they
may deem necessary for the maintenance of their
rights as -eo-eqaal members of the confederacy.'
From these. resolutions you will see that the plat
form of this State, contemplates, in the event of
the election of Black Republicans President and
Vice President, consultation with the other South
ern States and not secession.
The friends of BREcKNgDGE and LANE IN Mssis-
Eippi devotedly attached to the Union and will
not abandon it until they are convinced that The
Union of the States longer domestic tran
quility-provides for the common defense--pro-
notes the general welfare ard secures the blessings
of liberty to themselves and their posterity.
All considerable men know that the election of
LINCOLN and HANLIE will be followed with gloom
and alarm overshadowing the country, North and
South; and that the hearts of the Southern people,
of all political parties, will be awakened by this
event to feeling of danger, and aroused to spirit
of defence which must necessarily result in sepa-
rate State action, or cooperation of the Southern
States for the security and defence of the laws lib
erty, and property Of their citizens.
The election of Major BRECKENRIDGE or Col. BELL,
or Mr.. DOUGLAS will restore peace to the country,
so long the further advance of Republicanism is
checked but the question is now laundering in the
ears of every man, What will you do if LINCOLN is
elected? The question has been answered by many
in whose souls breathe the spirit of WASHINGTON
and ADAMS and HANCOCK, and PATRICK Henry It
be neither avoided evaded by any intelligent
man. 1 think Mississippi has answered plainly,
prudently and periodically in the 4th Resolution of
her Platform. Should the other States meet her in
the spirit of justice and conservatism the har-
mony of the country may be promoted, the Consti-
tuition maintained and the interests and institutions
of the South defended. Very Respectfully,
HENRY DICKINSON
To JNo. c. BURcH, r. w. McGAvocK and S. L. FIN
LEY, Committee of Invitation