The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-10-31

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cords of the country that during his Who'll
politician career, of near forty years, he has in
variably, whenever there was struggle be
tween the North and South, ranged himse
upon the side of the North, and against hi
own section. We do not question his motives
with that we have nothing to do-for wejudg
public man by his public acts. But We d
say, his course has been such as no true South
ern man can approve at a time like this, if h
intends to stand with the South in the main
tenance Of her constitutional rights. Hi
course has been such as to win from the aboli
tionists the most enthusiastic praise. Ane
we have the evidence of Washington Hunt
who was President of the Convention which
nominated Mr.. Bell that be is acceptable te
the Black Republicans to-day! What has
made him acceptable to abolitionists? Was il
standing up for the rights of the South? No
that would have gained their eternal enmity
He has won their praise, and has made him.
self acceptable to them by agreeing with them
upon great questions which divided the North
and the South.
Let us briefly glance at the facts. In
1861, the abolitionists demanded the re-
ception and consideration by Congress Of their
petitions. How stood John Bell? With the
abolitionists!
In 1874 the abolitionists opposed the an
nexation Of Texas. How stood John Bell?
Though not in Congress at that time, he op-
posed with all his influence that great national
and peculiarly Southern measure.
In 1s48, the abolitionists opposed and de-
feated the Clayton Compromise, measure
upon which the whole South had rallied. How
stood John Bell? He voted with the aboli-
tionists.
Also in 1848, when our armies were gal
lantly fighting our battles in Mexico, the abo-
litionists opposed the Administration in the
prosecution of that war. Abe Lincoln said:
II suspect the President (Mr. Polk) feels the
blood of this war, like the blood of Abel, cry
ing to Heaven against him." How stood John
Bell? Be denounced the war, and acted with
the abolitionists-
The abOlitionists have long interpreted the
Constitution SO as to give to Congress the
power to abolish slavery in the District of Co.
lumbia. How stands John Bell? In 1850
he said Congress had that power, and reiter-
ased that opinion in 1858, although the whole
South had solemnfy dvslAzsd that it would be
unconstitutional, and measure Of oppresesan
and would justify resort to measures of re-
sistance. -
In 1854 the abolitionists opposed the Kan
sas-N Nebraska bill, and the repeal of the uncon-
stitutional Missouri restriction, which the
whole South had demanded. How stood John
Bell? He voted with the abolitionists, and
against the South.
In 1858 the whole South demanded the
admission of Kansas with her pro slavery con-
stitution. The abolitionists bitterly opposed
the measure. How stood John Bell? He
voted with the abolitionists, and against the
South.
AL parties in the South have rallied upon
the decision of the Supreme Court in the Dred
Scott case, which expounded the Constitution
so as to give the South all her constitutional
rights, and agreed TO abide by it. Abolition
lists denouncs that decision, and refuse to abide
by it. Abe Lincoln says: IF l were in Con
gress, and vote should come up on ques-
ton whether slavery be prohibited in new
Territory, in spite Of the Dred Scott decision,
I would vote that it should" How stands
John Bell? He said in the Senate, in 1858:
Whatever may be the decisions Of the Su-
preme Court on the power of Congress to inter-
fere with the question of slavery in the Terri.
tories," !" whenever Congress shall be called
upon to legislate concerning a Territory, the
question will again become the subject of dis
cussion and such decision as majority shall
think proper to declare" Thus, he goes with
the abolitionists, and against the South.
Then we know that the acquisition of Cuba
has long been favorito measure with the
South. The abolitionists have violently op-
posed it. How stands Mr.. Bell? Even as
late as the beginning Of last year, prior to the
close of his term in the Senate, on Mr.. Slidelrs
proposition to acquire Cuba, he said: [Globe,
1859, part 2. p. 1,3431
Mr.. President, admit the advantages of
Cuba in strategic point of view in time OF
war, under certain circumstances. | almh
the security that it would bring to our COM
merce under certain circumstances; but now
we are not in q condition to accept that island,
though it should be gift presented to us by
Spain, without any consideration; particular
ly unless we had thesecurity or the guarantee
of the non-interyention Of England and
France.
John Bell, then, opposes the acquisition of
Cuba, even Though it should be a gift present
ed to US By Spain" fran ootcardlH cravep fear
of England and France. He goes, then. with
the abolitionists, and opposes q measure which
the whole South approves. 1.
Now, we ask, is it surprising that abolition
lists should praise John Bell9 Is it TO be won-
dered at that Washington Hunt says John
Bell to-day is acceptable to the Black Repub-
licans? la
We now ask the attention Of our readers to
what Washington Hunt, the President Of the
Convention that nominated John Bell, and
now his leading supporter in New York, says
on this subject. In a recent letter to Horace
Greeley, he said: =
/ firmly believe that decided majority Of
the thoughtful and patriotic men Of the Repub-
lican party would at this moment cordially
hail the election to the Presidency Of either
John Bell or Edward Everett, as the best So
luton Of the question which now agitates the
country. 1t is by no means impossible that
in less than six months, even you will strenu-
ously contend that it is the bounden duty Of
every Republican representative to vote for
Bell. and this reflection should admonish you
to adopt more rational tone of discussion.
You now pretend that MIR. Bell is as objec-
tionable as Mr.. Breckenridge. What did you
mean by the felicitous alterations in your
widely circulated journal, of Bell, Bates or
Botts,n as proper candidates repeated, if
mistake not, in your celebrated speech at 0s-
sawattomie, in the very heart Of Kansas?
More than once within twelve month you
have placed the name of Bell among those
whom you would be willing to accept as a
compromise candidate to unite the Opposi-
ton. - zs5s ~
In very recent speech before the Union
Clubs in New York, Mr.. Hunt said:
If the election is carried TO the House of Re.
| presentatiyes, he had never doubted the elec.
| ton of Mr.. Bell by that body. His knowr
| moderation and freedom from extreme parti
sanship, would make it easy for all parties tc
i unite on him as q compromise. Whatever
some seditionists may say, be believed the mas,
of the Republicans would demand that thei
representatives terminate the contest by votin,
ior him. But il we are disappointed in .hil
| belief, and they iactiousiy prevent an election
q in the HOUSE. they will have the satisfaction
Of seeing Mr.. Everest chosen By the Senate
Only two years ago we saw noble coali
ton in the seuate ot the United States; Crit
tenden, Douglas, Bell and Seward coalesced il
$50 81 fsE - s}s&fss8 gsss.