Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-12-22

Commissioner from mississippi TO LouZst-
ana.
The Hon WInr ADAMS, the Commissioner to Lou
isiana attended the sitting Of the Louisiana Leeis
lature at Baton Rouge on the 18th instant. The two
Houses met in Convention for his reception, and he
was introduced BY the Speaker of the House. Mr..
ADAMS then stated the object of his mission as fol
lows:
Mr. President and Geatemen Of the Senate and House
of Representatives. Of tie STATE Of Lo1tisiGaG:
In behalf of the State of Mississippi, tender to
your Executive, to your Honorable bodies, and to
the people of Louisiana, my profound acknowledge
ments for the distinguished courtesy and kindness
which have been extended TO her representative.
Ihave' been commissioned by the Governor of my
State to communicate formally and offc-slly to the
authorities and people of Louisiana, that the Legis-
ature of Mississippi has passed act callinga Con-
ventOn of the State to consider the present threat
ening relations of the Northern and Southern Sec
tons of the COnfederacy aggravated by the recent
election OF President upon principles Of hostility
to the States Of the South and to exposes the earn
est hope of Mississippi that Louisiana will cooperate
wits her in the adoption of efficient measures for
their common defense and safety.
In addition to the act calling the convention,
which passed both branches of the Legislature of
Mississippi by a unanimous vote approaching like
unanimIty, which after reciting the grievances of
the Southern States, declared secession to be the
only remedy.
The discharge of this important trust, sir, has
been rendered no less simple than grateful. The
Recommendation of your enlightened and patriotic
Executive contained in this message followed
they have been by the prompt and wise action of this
Legislature, in calling Convention of the people
of Louisiana. and making a munitcent appropfia-
ton for aPming the State; the manifestations of an
almost unanimous public sentiment, which witness
around me render any words of argument or exhor-
tation from me, more than superfuous. AS well
sir. might attempt to swell the volume OF the ma
jestic stream which pOurs its resistless tide past
your beautiful capitol, by adding one drop to its
waters,as essay to deepen the convictions or confirm
the unalterable resolves of your noble and gallant
State She has well exemplifed the maxim, that
the time for argument in this contest with the North
has gone by forever, and that the time for action
has come. 1t Is but doing her Justice to say, that
every where in this broad land has she been dstin
guished for the moderation. conservatism and pat
| riotism of her people. And could she give more
signal proof of this well deserved character. than in
her present determination to preserve the rights,
the honor, and the integrity Of her citizens intact
in the gravest and perilous juneture that was
| ever present to free people,
rejoice Mr. President. at the unmistakable indi-
cations of her purpose, and shall bear back the in
teligenee of your action TO the Governor and people
/ of my State with no ordinary qualification. And
amongst the popular manifestations which have
Witnessed shall not forget that your imperial city
of New Orleans by the river side and the sea. which
has recently emblazoned aloft her sentiments, and
/
grandeur the radiant Cross Of her true Southern
/ faith
1t is particularly proper sir, that the States Of
Louisiana and Mississippi, contiguous in territory
and bound together by the closest commercial and
social ties should stand and act together IN this cor
test with a perfdIous and ruthless foe. Upon the
/ plains of Chalmette and the fields of Mexico their
gallant sons in the past have locked their shields
| and now in the midst of perils far greater nvOlv-
ing life, honor and property, ferventy hope they
/ will ba in he fufu N
united in bonds frRternal and indissolu5le.
Lieutenant Governor HYAMs then invited the Com
missioner from Mississippi TO ascend the Speakers
stand and with great earnestness addressed him in
the following speech:
| Sri welcome YOU as the Commissioner from
the State of Mississippi the Halls Of the Legisla-
ure CT Louisiana, assembled in Joint session for the
occasion-to take counsel together this day. when
| ruthless majority Of the people OF the Northern
| States regardless Of the rights of the Southern
States are about to inaugurate policy which sub
verts their equality in the Union, and will at no
distant day eliminate in reducing them to cOndi-
| ton far worse than colonial yassalage. After a
long train of INJURIES abuses and usurpatiOns our
sturdy ancestry broke the yoke of British DONNA
ton and established with their blood the indepen-
! dence of he States, and subsequently adopted the
Constitution of the United States in order to form
more perfect union, establish justice. insure domes
| tie TRANQUILITY provide for the common defense.
7
ings of liberty to themselves and their posterity
How have the majority Of the people Of the North
ern States kept the bonds? We have under the
/ forms of the Constitution elevated to the Presidency
OF the United States Omitted only for the great pur
poses expressed in The Consttution) citizen Of the
North the representative Of principles so destruc
tive to the rights liberties property and lives OF the
people of fifteen Of the sovereign States of the con
federacy, that if promulgated in person to their
slave population in the spirit Of the party to which
he his elevation would subject him to condign
/ punishment-end in Louisiana, by her statues, to
imprisonment for life, death, at the discretion of
| her courts
Can any citizen Of the South. or any true Ameri-
can. contemplate the huniliating spectacle and not
hide his head with shame, if he does not resist and
throw of such dgracetul yoke at all hazards and at
every cost?
Sir, this revolution is determined upon by all true
Southern men, and the best means of its accomplish
mcnt is the UNION THE SOUTH for the sake Of the
South and further this great end, understand
to be the object Ct your mission. louisiana, there
fore welcomes the Commissioner from Mississippi to
her councils to prepare for and maintain Southern
independence, and like our fathers of old, we will
pledge in the cause "our lives, fortunes, and our
sacred hOnOrs.'