Daily gazette and comet. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1856-186?, 1860-12-25
WIN. S. PiKr.


Messrs. J. NJ. TAYLOR g. OrHFRs.
Gentlemen AS one Of the candidates
for the State Convention. and in compli-
snce with your request, take an early op-
portuniy to answer explicitly the ques-
tions you have been pleased to PROFOUND,
The first Of which. is ado you regard the
election Of Mr.. Lincoln to the Presidency.
and the consequent triumrhs Of A BOLTON
and Black Republican principles, % sun
cient cause for the Secession Of the South
efn States ~
! answer, DO NOT.
Secondly, care you in favor ~ the Stale
Of Louisiana remaining in the Federal
Union, under the administration Of a
Black Republican President. vpdsr am
circumstances whsterrF" answer. I AN.
Thrifty. "lfelected to the State Conveu-
ton, will you, or will you not, vote for the
immediate secession Of Louisiana from the
Union !" | answer, ! WILL NOT.
As | have employed but a few monosyl-
sbles to answer your questions, I shall
take this occasion in IA brief manner as
am able to do, 10 make known to your
selves and the public generally, what
would be my course Of action, should the
people see proper 10 choose me as one Of
their representatives..
arm in favor Of maintaining this Union,
If II can he done consistently with honor
and justice TO the South. ] am profound
ly sensible Of the wrongs and great ipius-
tice that have been done b. that portion
Of the Country Of which am native
but even under sense OF gross wrong,
and fragrant violation of our rights, am
not prepared, and hope never shall be,
TO abandon this Union until every honor
able aud proper expedient for redress.
within il, shall have been RED in vain.
The means by which these ends are 10 be
attained. appear 10 me TO be ny the force
Of rea- on, by moderation, by the progress
Of calm, enlightened opinion, and by the
steady, intelligent and firm maiutsinance
Of our rights. Does our fidelity To the
Union require no more Of us than to enjoy
It's blessings whilst all is bright and pros
porous and whilst the Constitution and
Lave are alike respected in all sections Of
the country. and are we at liberty 10 aban-
don It in the hour Of peril I hope not;
ut least, for one, am ready to exhaust
all means Of redress for our wrongs, rather
than give mp so glorious heritage.
am ms far from entertaining a thought
Of submission 60 the wrongs Of the North,
IA any man in the State OF tae South; but
"a TO the means to be employed to redress
those wrongs, ! materially differ with
some Of my friends. Immediate secession
il not, in my humble Judgment, the action
which the people Of the State should adopt
for redress, but calm, intelligent, frm
and patriotic stand should be taken 20 Sc
cure forever our Constitutional rights and
the respected and peaceful enjoyment Of
them. This, hope, may yet bo accom-
plished, IN the Union; and If not, none
will more heartily agree, none will moe
firmly advocate, and mono will, with great
or alacrity, be ready to pledge all he has
and all he Is, than I, to tho formation of
United Southern Confederacy.
Should DO chosen rs one Of the NOM
bers Of the Convention, I shall stead lastly
and with all the humble ability possess,
advocate and vote for any proposition bav-
ing for lis object Southern Convention
and the joint action Of all the slave hold
ing States, and through that Convention,
the unwavering vindication and assurance
Of our rights within the Union and failing
in this, then for the simultaneous with /
drawal from tho Union, peaceably, (if we
can, honorably) but Internationally, and
regard to consequences, il we must.
Yours respectfully,
WIN. s. PIKE.