The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-02-08
Rev. DR.. 3. ]. Rreckinridge, Of Ken
tueky, in the Political Arena.

| "A Daniel, yea second Daniel, has come to
judgment" The Reverend. Doctor Breck;n-
ridge, Of Kentucky, has stepped into the po-
ltical arena, and under the guise Of q letter to
the Vice President, in answer to his recent ad-
dress before the Kentucky Legislature, has es-
sayed to deliver lecture-to the people of the
Southern States upon their political duties,
and to rebuke their claim to an equal share of
the benefits Of common government. His
antecedents are therefore proper subject of
scrutiny, and it becomes pertinent question
whether he is fit person to be consulted as a
guide and counsellor for the people Of the
South at this important juncture? More es-
peciallY is this inquiry proper in view of the
fact that the Vicksburg Wing, at our own
doors, and many. other Southern Journals, are
publishing his yiews&Id recommending tsaeIn
te Southern favor.
We repeat, what are the antecedents of this
learned monitor I? Does he come before the
people whose ear he, solicts, with clear re-
cord, or does it reek with the foul taint Of an
ti-slayeryism Does he not by his own con-
fession stand before them as an accused and
condemned enemy of Southern institutions
If so, then he is not suitable person to de-
eide upon the sectional issues of the day. We
affirm unhesitatingly that his opinion has al
ready been formed, and that it is against the
cause of the very people whose ears he AFRO
gantly vexes with his virtuous admonitions
For the benefit of the Whig, therefore, and
all Others concerned in holding up this great
Kentucky luminary for the admiration and
imitation Of Southern men, We will transfer
to our columns the enduring record which he
himself has made up.
In the African Repository for 1888, he gives
such description of African slavery as would
emanate from Giddings, Greeley, or any other
unscrupulous Northern agitator of the present
day. Listen to him:
"What is slavery? We reply, it is that
condition, enforced by the laws OF one half the |
States Of this confederacy in which one por-
ton of the community, called masters, is al |
lowed such power over another portion, called |
slaves, as First,-I5 deprire them Of the entire |
earnings Of their o0n laJor, escept only so much
as is necessary to continue laJor Itself by con-
tinuing healthfM eristence, thus commipinq |
clear robbery. Second,-16 reduce them to tie |
necessity Of universal cOncabdnage, dc"
The practice of holding slaves upon the con-
ditions prescribed by Southern law and usage,
quoth the learned Theban is CLEAR ROB
Berry" That is precisely what such flnat-
les as Garrison, and such traitors as belong to
the Saint Ossawottamie school, are in the hab-
it of asserting. a But let him proceed with his
striking picture:
"Just and equal .EWhat care whether
my pockets are picked, or the proceeds of my
labor taken from me? What matters it
whether my horse is stolen, or the value of
him In my labor taken from me? Do we
talk of violating the rights of master, and de-
priving them Of their property in slaves p
And will some one tell US if there be ANYTHING
in which a man has, or can have so perfect a
right of property, as in his own limbs, bones
and sinews? Out upon such folly TIE
MAN WHO CANNOT SEE THAT IN
DOMESTIC SLAVERY.
AS TT EXISTS AMONG Us, IS FOUND.
ED UPON THE PRINCIPLE OF TAX
ING BY FORCE THAT WHICH IS NOT
OURS, HAS SIMPLY NO MORAL
SENSE.n
1t is from such infamous doctrine as this
that John Brown drew the inspiration which
prompted to his highway murdyr of slave
holders in Kansas, and to his bloody foray in
Virginia.
But further. In a letter to Mr.. George
Thompson, Scotland, accepting an invitation
to discussion, this politico- o-theoIogist-ths self
constituted instructor of Southern men upon
their duties in this momentous period Of their
existence-uttered this bold declaration:
Il feel myself encompassed with many DIFF
dculties: for some may consider me as defend
ng the institution of slavery, waeeas any-
'ey tetfeve 1t to be contrary to tie spirit of tie
Gospel and the natural rights Of man.
Slavery is Contrary to the spirit Of the Cos
pei and tie natural rights Of munn' How per-
Sectly in keeping is this sentiment with the
iogmas which emanate from the vilest bigots
Of the Black Republican party? With the
exception that it does not invoke the seryile
race to resort to physical resistance against
hose who are denounced as their oppressors,
It chimes sonorously with the vile creed of the
Helper book which is enlisting so large share
of public attention.
To this black record let US add the fact that
The Rev. DIR. Breckenridge was candidate for
he Convention in Kentucky some years since
upon the emancipation or Gslti-slaaery ticket;
but his offer to serve the people of Kentucky
n the matter of overturning the institutions
Of the State were Indignantly and righteously
spurned.
When the people Of the South become so
a5ject as to seek or to acceptthe counsels of ore
who has by such a record vindicated his claim
% their unmitigated adherence, they will be
ft subjects for the yoke which their Northern
enemies are preparing for their necks.