The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-10-11
Letter from j. *. Elgee..

US the following letter from the distinguished
gentleman whose name heads this article for
publication. The document speaks for itself.
We hope all will give it an attentive perusal !:
| ALEXANDRIA, 10th Sept, 1860.
10 Wan. II. Farmer, Secretary Breckenridge and
| Lane Club, Hamilton, Ouacllta:
| Dear Sri received to-day your letter of LIST
inst, Inviting me in cordial, but far too tiatter-
ing terms, to attend and address the people at
barbecue to be given by the Democratic party
on the ed inst, at Ouaehita city, parish Of
sUnion.
My pl OCCASIONAL and private business will not
permit me to be absent from here at that time,
so that with great regret, am compelled TO
decline the kind invitation rendered me be-
sides. Ihave for several years given up pubic
speaking on political subjects. I would not,
however, wish to be understood as being Mt all
uninterested, Or even lukewarm in the present
contest. believe that if we really desire to
continue a "uailel" nation, u strong and deci-
sive blow must be struck for the SOUTH what
is true of Individuals is quite as true of states,
receive insult, without resentment, suffer
your rights to be trespassed upon without just
cause or provocation, and what can one expect
but that insult will be added to insult, light af-
ter right will be invaded, till the man sinks be-
low me level OF his race; just so with states
and Governments from apprehension of the
consequences, or because the Invasion is but a
trif1ing one, Or because the point insisted on is,
with honled phrases, represented to be but I" q
mere dbstraction" the weaker shall be induced to
succumb to the stronger, because 1t is the strong
er, then, indeed, nationality fast GIBBS away,
and the knell of indie! .ndence may be tolled at
once therefore it is say, if we of the south
would be respected, if we would maintain an
alliance with the Northern states, honorable to
US as to them, (and none other can be perna-
nent) five would pseserve this Union, and
transmit 1t with its manifold and countless
blessings 10 those who are to succeed us, we
must say to the North, in a manner not to be
misunderstood, by which mean, that we must
snow them we are resolved to act up to what
we say ; that come what may we will to the
uttermost resist the slightest iufraction of the
constitutional compact between us, even should
1t but involve the destruction of a right or
privilege which we might never choose to ex-
ercise. we must tell them, as equals we en-
tered into the confedcracy, and as equals alone
can we remain in it," Let no vague fears of
the future, no apprehension Of disuuion and its
consequences cause you to swerye from the
plain path of dmy-God always protects the
right; but no such dark shadows rise before
me, because have an implicit confidence and
| faith IN the intelligence and the honest we'll
meaning OF the masses; because l know as
they know, that the broad foundations of Ma
honal Union rest upon justice and equality, and
that the air we breathe is not more necessary
to our physical existence, than is this Union to
our common and general welfare-and because
know that when the North sees the bold and
determined attitude of the south, she will pause
and driving. from her high stations of honor the
tact!ous and restless demagognes who have
been $ the fruitful source Of all our woes .
peace and brotherhood will be restored, and
g the laton," SO cherished by all will stand
more securely than eyer--in word, let the
North understand that we are in earnest, and
the victory IS won; that victory which sooner
or later common sense must and will achieve
over mere sent!mcntality, rabid tanaticism or
sham patriotism. For all these reasons was it
more TO be desired that at this, than at any
former election, the people Of the south should
have presented front " one and indirisible,u
had hoped that when the convention met at
Charleston, it would have been so. and all
good men looked eagerly for the mfurlins of
that standard, (and which even yet ] hope A
UNITED sourA will plaDt) which once flung to
the breeze, would be & warning. simple but
expressive TO -Aboltionists, Freesoilers and Re
publicans Mat tie EQUALITY OF TIM STATES mas,
@na hontd be PRESCRIBED The yaulting ambition
OF MI douglas has postponed for a period this
cohSunlmation, Fooled in his avowed deter
mlnation to force upon the country his platform,
he has bowed himself between the pillars of the
temple and sought to level all in one grand de-
strnctlon; partially has he succeeded That
grand Old party, whose history is the record of
thls great corntry's unexampled progress; that
ever III good faith has fought the battles of the
Constitution and the Union, sees itself for the
moment broken, but not dispirited or dslnay-
od-ior let the odds be what they NAV let
traitors. DC they eyer so many, polute the
camp, DO we not know--do we not teel--that
:, the men" will yet rally to their colors, and
that the shattered host will re-unte--nay is is
se-uhitIhg. But whatever others may do, or
however Others may act, our path is plain, for
II is inc path Of duty; therefore, so long as one
rag Of that sacred flag remains of which the
gallant Breckenridge and Lane are the chosen
supporters, all true Southern men will cling to
It, Tor 1t is the jag Of The Constitution, and the
proud NatiouM bae5qe efMe U11ion.
Wolves who 60 about in sheep's clothing dare
to charge upon such that they are disoroani2ers
and disunionists-but how absurd, how ground
less, how wicked, how mendacous arc such
charges! But so it always has been, and ever
will be-hypocrisy assumes virtue which in
secret it SCOTS at; and tins new aud dcmure
band OF patriots would fain persuade you that
the tlnk!lnS Of empty cymbals is but the sound
OF the peoples, coming up to preserve from the
unhalioweu touch Of the Democracy the Con
stitution, the Union, and the Enforcement of
the Laws" and that the purest patriotic fire
burns in the bosom of an 'Arno!d" But. if to
give blood, when the sacrifice demanded it il
teariessly, valiantly and eloqucntly to support
the Constitution of the country and the cauali.
ty of all the States, when both were threatened
be treason, then, indeed, are Breckuridse and
Lane the veresb traitors ofus adjust SO much
as JACKSON, and no more So, too, the more
our platform is tested and examined, the sound
er and safer it viii be found no bats are
thrown ont to delude one section by the inya-
SION Of the rights of another; the man from
Maine can swear by it-oan travel by it, and
on it-ustas safely as you or can; it takes from
no one-lt gives to no one---hut prououuces in
| words and tones so clear that "aN the people
OF all the States have equaz rights in the Terrific
ries, sohilst they are Territories" There is no
trimming OF sails in this to catch q iuyorinr,
breeze from the north, and another from the
south here Is no petty Jogging suggestion
that IL our creed don't suit all parties, we can
patch it up by "mfriena}y leqislesion all is
plain, straightforward language, such az De
mocracy loves TO address to her chidren-that
mothers voice that was never raised but in be-
half of love of country and mankind-con-
sistent then as the Democratic platform is with
good sense, consistent as it is with the law. con
sistent as it is with the Constitution. it must il
seN prevail. Knowing this, feeling this, I sun
port 1t, asking no questions about mojorities or
n'norlhes; and therefore SO say to you. and
through you, to those who have asked mo 10
address them. that being satisfied Won arc y; ,ht